What is Yoga?

Let us dive into a sacred spiritual practice that has been around for thousands of years. Who knows, maybe it will be the tool that helps you handle the stressors of your day-to-day life.

According to Deepak Chopra, world-renowned spiritual guru and founder of The Chopra Foundation, yoga is the "union with the source of existence." In other words, it is a process for understanding ourselves and the world around us that answers some of life’s biggest questions.

Yoga's physical postures, called asanas, are an introductory process. While our club emphasizes Bhakti yoga, or “service done with devotion to the source of existence,” these postures are a great place to start when beginning your yoga practice!

College student in butterfly pose with hands together. Photo by Omid Armin on Unsplash

In fact, yoga asanas are a scientifically proven helpful way to reduce stress. It functions as a way to maintain inner calmness and promote attention to the present moment. Research suggests there are many benefits of maintaining a consistent yoga practice. These include, but are not limited to:

• Improving sleep quality

• Promoting healthy habits

• Inspiring inner-awareness

• Sustaining heart health

• Helping manage anxiety and depression

• Relieving physical aches and pains

• Supporting mental and emotional health

Whether it's to ease body pain, or find calmness, yoga is a useful wellness tool. It is an activity that can be done anywhere, at any time and in any place. And the benefits of it are not reserved for seasoned yogis, they are available to anyone willing to participate.

To begin a yoga practice only one thing is needed; you. While a cushioned place to sit is comfortable, it is not required. When trying yoga for the first time, focus on learning some poses, instead of fixating on fancy materials.

Yoga asanas in action during a live class. Photo by Anupam Mahapatra on Unsplash

Four poses to start off with are Child's Pose, Downward Dog Pose, Tree Pose and Corpse Pose. These movements are fit for every skill level and are a great introduction to the practice. While completing these poses, remind yourself to not strive for perfection, but for progress.

By setting intention from the get-go, the session is freed from the weight of expectation. Fin, yoga is the "union with the source of existence."Find stillness and balance with yoga, whenever and wherever you are. May your session be a peaceful one.