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Yoga: More than a Practice of Postures, It's a Practice of Living

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I think that one of the most common, modern-day misconceptions of yoga is that it’s only about the poses we practice on the mat, when really, well at least the way I see it is, yoga is more so a practice of choosing to show up for life. Yoga is a practice that reaches far beyond these four corners with the capacity to stretch into each + every corner of our lives.

Because even though we tend to glorify the yoga asana, or the practice of the postures, the practice on the mat is really just a spoke upon the wheel.

Now don’t get me wrong, the postures are great and most definitely serve a purpose. And the physical does tend to be the most tangible, so if we were to zoom out a little bit, I think it’s quite easy to see how our practice on that mat is really just a microcosm of our life off of the mat.

And just as our asana practice encourages us to move more mindfully — To place our hands and feet and minds and breath with intention — Our yoga practice encourages us to do the same. To bring this same quality of mindfulness and intention with us off of the mat and into our everyday lives.

Easier said than done of course, but that’s why it’s called a practice.

There will be challenges and obstacles, moments of flow, probably some mental chatter sprinkled in, and there will also be many decisions to make along the way.

Yoga is often described as “skill in action.”

How can we move more mindfully, intentionally, compassionately, and honestly?? What does this look like in the choices we make on the mat, as well as in those choices we make off of the mat?

And, do the two align??

In this way, we can begin to see that all of our daily duties and interactions hold the space for us to practice yoga: Walking can be yoga. Breathing can be yoga. Cooking can be yoga. Washing the dishes can be yoga. Running errands can be yoga. Community service can be yoga. Time with friends and family can be yoga. Watching the sunset can be yoga.

So let this be a reminder that yoga is for everyone. No fancy poses required. Just a willingness to show up for life.