What is Yoga?

In short the answer is simple...Yoga for me is home, I lay on my mat, I feel a sense of calmness, it's my lifeline and has become a huge part of my day to day life. I feel like a different person and reflecting on my journey so far, before writing the answer to this question, I can see the person I once was.....

The answer has changed from when I started out on my yoga journey to the answer I give you today. If you had asked me this question 4 years ago, my answer would have been very different; I would have told you that's it's a form of exercise stretches and poses for slim people! Yes, one could say yoga without spirituality is just a fitness and relaxation exercise, however this has become more than just exercise.

So for me "What is Yoga?"

It's stilling the mind, its being present in that moment, living the moment as it is, it's feeling and observing without judgement, it's moving the body in harmony with the breath, it's union of the body, mind and soul, it's "patience, devotion & faith", it's being true to yourself; "I am that I am, the universe exists within me as much as I exist in the universe"

The Bhagavad Gita has offered me words of wisdom, some that have resonated with me and some I have found comfort and guidance within the quotes to help me on my continuing journey.

"To be ourselves is to be enlightened" According to the Bhagavad Gita, a happy or enlightened person follows their own Dharma (true calling)

This very much resonated with me as I tried so much to just "fit in" just to be accepted but I now remind myself; "to live an authentic life", we must find our own way or purpose without attachment to who we think we are or want to be. If not we end up struggling to do things that don't really suit us. It's like forcing a square peg into a round hole... but at what cost is this to us ....shaving your corners off to fit into this hole, rather than learning to accept you are that square peg and embracing all that you are, corners and all. It's then true happiness begins to happen, you feel purpose, you feel gratitude, I began to feel a love for myself that I have never felt.

So, you see, yoga to me other than lots of physical & mental benefits, yoga unites "you" with the "REAL YOU"