The Beauty of Ourselves & Shining Our Light

The experience of yoga is about connection, and about finding our inner light.  Sometimes we may feel like:

• Who is this person looking back at me in the mirror?
• Where is my life leading me?
• Who am I?
• Am I a product of my experiences?
• Is this the best I can be?
• Where am “I” in all this business of life?

Our yoga practice helps us to go in under the layers and leads us to our light. There are many paths from Kriya’s, Karma, Kundalini, Bhakti, Jnana, to name a few that all lead us to our light.  And, in the Hatha system there are many styles of practice all leading us to our light and it’s inspiring to see everyone finding their path, as no two paths are the same.

Patanjali in the system of Raja yoga quotes: ‘Yoga is the blocking (nirodha) of mental modifications(chitta vritti) so that the seer (drashta) re-identifies with the (higher) self.’

At its most practical level, yoga is a process of becoming more aware of who we are. Yoga techniques facilitate balance and health, and unfold our dormant potential. Yoga allows us to be more aware of ourselves and feel connected.  As such, yoga is a process of self-discovery. This leads us to self-mastery and self-realisation.

“I never asked you to stop being a woman, please don’t ask me to stop being a man” Rocky II

To have the strength to stand up and be who we are, even if people are wanting us to walk their path instead.  Yoga is a science which offers us a body of techniques that lead us to connect to ourselves and others in our way.  Simply do a practice and notice the effects, Rocky finds his sense of self in his boxing.

YOGA Sutra: 1.36 Visoka va jyotismati
By concentrating on the light within, which is free from all suffering and sorrow.
It’s important to take time to go quietly inward, to connect with our inner light, and carry it’s spark into the world to share with others.

As the days are becoming shorter and cooler this is a great time of year to become more meditative, to make some time to perhaps sit and bring your attention to your inner light.  If we have time to reflect the mirror may shine forth and brightly.

Through the practices of yoga we have the opportunity to find our place in the world, to find who we are and often it’s like peeling away the layers of the onion to find our truth.  In finding who we are and letting our own lights shine we give permission for others to also let their truth shine forth and just as brightly.

The POWER or YOGA.

BIG NAMASTE, Lou