This blog post was written by Erin Malan, Meditation Facilitator at Nivati. You can see more of their content on the Nivati platform and on the Nivati blog. If you want to learn more about Nivati, click here.
June 21st is International Yoga Day! This special day serves as a reminder of the tremendous value that yoga brings to our lives. From increasing flexibility to reducing stress levels, the practice of yoga has become a global phenomenon, captivating people of all ages and backgrounds.
You don't need to wait for the day though. Read on to be inspired by the personal experiences of Erin, a skilled Nivati yoga teacher, and her profound connection with yoga.
Why Practice Yoga?
“Yoga is not a work-out; it is a work-in. And this is the point of spiritual practice, to make us teachable, to open up our hearts, and focus our awareness so that we can know what we already know and be who we already are.” —Rolf Gates
If you had met me when I was 19, you would have figured out pretty quickly that I was obsessed with ballet. Fascinated with the art form since the age of six, my mom enrolled me in formal classes when I was eight. Once I hit my teenage years, I was in class or rehearsal for 20 to 30 hours each week. I went on to dance professionally and earn two university degrees in the field.
Ballet taught me many valuable lessons like dedication, discipline, and performance. The focus was always on my outsides. How did my body look? How did the movement look? What did the audience see? What did my teachers think of me? What did the choreographer and artistic director want? My locus of control (or who I perceived was in charge of my life’s outcomes) was external, which–if I’m being honest–did some damage to my psyche.
Yoga Is Not Just About Flexibility
My mom introduced me to yoga when I was a teenager. I used it as a tool to create more flexibility in my body to improve my dancing. It wasn’t until my late 20s that I wrapped my body and brain around the idea that yoga has a lot more to offer. As my practice deepened, I learned to focus on how movement felt versus how it looked. My locus of control shifted more to the internal and I developed a healthier relationship with my body.
If you attend a yoga class at your local gym or studio, you will most likely do physical exercise (also called Asana.) There are numerous styles: Vinyasa, Bikram, Iyengar, Hatha, Restorative, and Yin. But yoga is about much more than physical poses.
Some yoga history
The history of yoga is an ancient and rich tradition that spans thousands of years. Its origins can be traced back to the Indus Valley seals, around 3000 BCE, which depict figures in yoga-like postures. Around 500 BCE, several key texts were written that laid the foundation for classical yoga. One of the most important is the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, which provide a systematic and philosophical framework. It outlines the eight limbs of yoga:
- Yamas and Niyamas (ethical principles)
- Asanas (physical postures)
- Pranayama (breath control)
- Pratyahara (sense withdrawal)
- Dharana (concentration)
- Dhyana (meditation)
- Samadhi (enlightenment)
Image source: https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/7274/the-eight-limbs-of-yoga
Yoga continued to evolve over the centuries and was influenced by various schools of thought, teachers, and traditions. The Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu scripture written around the 2nd century BCE, also discusses the paths of yoga and emphasizes the importance of selfless action and devotion.
Yoga philosophy was first discussed in the United States in the late 19th century. Yoga studios began popping up in large US cities in the 1950s and have gradually gained popularity in the decades since. Now yoga is considered a mainstream form of exercise with many health benefits.
Yoga as respite
The benefits of yoga began crystalizing for me when I was a young mom, living in Atlanta, Georgia. I had two toddlers, and my days were filled with love and joy, but also endless diaper changes, challenging schedules, tantrums, not enough sleep, etc. I was deep in kid land! I couldn’t believe my luck when I found an amazing yoga class at my local YMCA during open childcare hours. Each Wednesday from 11:30 am -1 pm I dropped my kids off and found respite in a Vinyasa Flow Class. Those 90 minutes each week, when I could leave my mom-stress outside the studio door and learn from my wonderful teacher’s guidance, meant the world to me. And I was better able to show up for the people in life because of yoga’s many benefits:
- Stress relief
- Improved mental health
- Anxiety reduction
- Improved quality of life and relationships
- Greater strength and flexibility
- Stronger immune system
- Better balance
- Improved sleep
- Improved self-esteem
- Better posture and body awareness
- Improved bone health
- Increased brain functioning
- Decreased burnout
Savasana Symbolism
The final–and most important–pose in yoga class is savasana, a.k.a. corpse pose. After an hour filled with physical poses that strengthen and stretch us, both physically and mentally, practitioners lie down and basically do nothing.
Death and rebirth abound in the natural world: winter moving into spring, snakes shedding their skin to make room for new growth, night turning to day. Savasana reminds us of this most-important cycle.
Has your life turned out exactly the way you thought it would? Has it matched your expectations perfectly? My life certainly hasn’t, and the unexpected twists and turns have been painful at times. They have required a letting go to make way for new growth. That’s what Savasana reminds us of. It is a time to release thought patterns, beliefs, and expectations that do not serve us anymore. We practice surrender, so we can come back to life a little better and more ready to face what is in front of us.
“It’s helpful to remember that our yoga practice is not about getting things. Not the perfect body, nor the clearest mind, nor a life of perpetual sunshine. Every quality of an enlightened being is already within us, and through yoga, we drop the veils and cease the churning of the mind that prevents us from recognizing this. Yoga is a letting go.”--Isabelle Pikörn
Building Your Own Practice
Sometimes, when a person finds out that I teach yoga they say: “that’s neat, but yoga isn’t for me because I’m not flexible.” What I hear in this statement is that the person is uncomfortable trying something new. Yoga can feel foreign–maybe you only run or walk for exercise, or maybe you do not exercise at all. The wonderful thing about yoga, especially in the year 2023, is that it will meet you where you’re at. There are many ways and places to practice yoga. You can try group or private classes with a live teacher or stream free sessions at home.
Tips for Your Yoga Journey
- Try different styles and levels! You can find great classes on YouTube and many streaming platforms, and at local yoga studios and gyms. But not all classes are created equal and not all classes are for everyone. If you don’t like your first yoga class that doesn’t mean you won’t like any yoga. Search for descriptions and vibes that appeal to you. I’ve seen classes titled: yoga for stiff guys, chair yoga, beginning yoga, restorative yoga, chair yoga, yoga for seniors, yoga for runners, and the list goes on.
- Don’t compare yourself to others in class! If you do try yoga at a studio or gym, avoid getting stuck in your head about how you look. Chances are everyone is worried about themselves and not paying attention anyway. The teacher should be noticing how you’re doing, but only so they can help and guide you. If the student standing next to you is overwhelmingly flexible, it’s probably because they have stretched a lot more than you; it is not a reflection of their self-worth or your self-worth.
- Stick with it! You won’t gain all the benefits of yoga with one class, but with a few you should be able to notice a difference in how you feel on the inside and outside.
“If we practice yoga long enough, the practice changes to suit our needs. It’s important to acknowledge that the practice isn’t meant to be one practice for everybody. The beautiful thing about yoga is that there are so many different approaches. As we go through our life cycles, hopefully we are able to find a practice that suits us. And if you practice yoga long enough, that will change many times. What exactly that looks like is going to be different for each person.” —Tiffany Cruikshank
Wishing you all the best on your yoga journey!
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