Yoga: A Fluid Practice
Taylor Hawk - RYT-200, Meditation Teacher, and Ayurvedic Nutrition Specialist
December 2nd, 2024
Yoga: A Fluid Practice
Ah, yoga! Just saying the word can spark a whole spectrum of thoughts and feelings.
What comes to mind when you hear it? Take a moment—this article can wait!
Maybe you've chuckled at sitcom jokes about yoga, spotted colorful flyers for classes in your neighborhood, or scrolled through Instagram, marveling at super-flexible influencers. Perhaps you even picture yourself sitting crisscrossing applesauce for ages, trying to find your inner zen. This is all somewhat valid, but doesn’t complete the yoga picture in the slightest.
Yoga is a wonderfully personal journey, and everyone experiences it in their own unique way.
“For me, yoga is like a delightful dance where I intentionally observe my experiences. Some days, I feel like moving and embracing the sensations that arise with each stretch and pose. Other days, when anxiety creeps in, my practice turns into a gentle observation of my thoughts—whether I’m flowing through poses or simply sitting still.”
In a nutshell, yoga is a beautiful blend of techniques that create space for us to feel balanced—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. And no, you don’t have to be flexible to start. Yoga meets you where you’re at.
Let’s Sprinkle in Some Knowledge
Yoga has roots that can be traced back 5,000 years to the heart of India. Passed down through generations of sages, it has danced its way into cultures all over the globe. Today, in the West, yoga is often seen as just another trendy workout, but some teachers still weave in its rich history and teachings into their classes.
Yoga has 8 limbs to explore:
Yamas: Think of them as your social guidelines—virtues and morality
Niyamas: Your self-discipline
Asana: The groovy physical movements and postures we often see in class
Pranayama: The art of breath control
Pratyahara: A withdrawal of the senses
Dharana: Concentration
Dhyana: The practice of meditation
Samadhi: A state of bliss
In many U.S. classes, you’ll find a great focus on Asana—the physical side of yoga. But remember, that’s just one piece of the yoga pie. You can practice yoga without breaking a sweat or moving a muscle at all! Yoga can be deep breathing before getting out of bed, or a deep focus on each step of a walk in nature. This is called “yoga off the mat.”
A Personal Flow
Imagine yoga as a flowing stream. Some people come to sip the water, others to wash their clothes, some dive in for a refreshing swim, while others simply admire its beauty and say, “Danggg, that’s a nice stream!” Each person’s experience is unique, yet they’re all enjoying the same flowing water.
That’s how yoga works. It’s fluid and ever-evolving, much like that stream. Talk to anyone who has been practicing for months or even years, and you’ll hear them echo this sentiment.
“Yoga is our bridge to connect with ourselves, each other, and the Divine essence that flows through everything.”
You don’t have to understand, conceptualize, know the history, or remember the 8 limbs of yoga to be good at it. Actually, there is no being “good” at yoga. Just like there’s no being “good” at being yourself. How could you? Because you ARE yourself. There’s no being good or bad at it.
It just is.
You just are.
So why not give yourself space to be you?
