Yoga: What it is and isn't

Would you please oblige my Inner Grouch?

Yoga is not primarily exercise, though the physical body benefits from the practice of asana. Yoga is not a religion, though the practice of yoga will enhance any religious or spiritual practice. Yoga is not something one does, but is a way to approach life, often said to be a philosophy – a way of being.

Yoga is much more than placing one’s body in a variety of odd and contortionistic shapes. It is not necessarily about sweaty bodies, cute sports bras and leggings, hanging from hammocks, or drinking wine/beer while moving the body in asana. I know I sound like a grouch, but all these activities and accessories to the practice seem like more ways to distract oneself from being present to the Self.

Why are we so loathe to be present to ourselves and to the presence of the Divine in our lives? We’d much rather – though this doesn’t sound very enticing, either – ride a unicycle naked while juggling six oranges in front of an audience of a thousand people than have an internal awareness of the Divine Presence.

Yoga is a science of inner wellbeing uniting the small “s” self to the big “S” Self, the interbeing of Mind, Body, and Soul practiced through the 8 Limbs of Yoga which include:

a moral code - the Yamas and Niyamas,
the physical postures - Asana,
breath/prana practice - Pranayama,
withdrawal of the senses - Pratyahara,
single-minded concentration - Dharana,
meditation - Dhyana, and
union with the Divine - Samadhi.

My friend says, “Yoga is not flashing neon lights.” Maybe when we adulterate and dilute the practice, we should call it something else? Because my Inner Grouch says, “Yoga isn’t goats, dogs and cats, nude, boxing, emoji, or cannabis/wine/beer.”

And yet, yoga is all these things, our presence to all of it, our awareness of where we are attached and where we are averse. Our clarity about our delusion. In the end, I smile. I appreciate my yoga. I embrace my Inner Grouch.

The Grouch in me sees and honors the Grouch in you. Namaste.