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What is Yoga?

Each week millions of people around the world go to studios, community halls, office spaces and living rooms to practice yoga. Each person comes to their mat for their own unique reason and the benefits the practice offers to them. Each probably has their own idea of what yoga is. But what actually is meant by ‘yoga’?

The definition of yoga

Yoga, when translated to English, means ‘to yoke’ or ‘to bind together’. In his book, Light on Life, B.K.S Iyengar also offers the terms “to join, to harness, to unite, to bring together”. Regardless of what term resonates with you best, it’s clear that yoga is about union.

This union is often stated as meaning to unite mind, body and soul. In Light on Life, Iyengar goes on to suggests it means “elevating the body’s intelligence to the level of the mind and then yoking both to unite with the soul”. This explanation helps me with the idea of being at one with the self.

Another interpretation is that yoga is the harnessing of attention and consciousness to reach the state of ‘Samadhi’, the ultimate state of bliss.

Evolution of yoga – modern day classes

To help us understand this further, I think its important to understand how yoga has evolved.

These days, yoga is taught in large group classes with students practicing with many teachers. Historically, yoga was passed from teacher to student on an individualised basis, and they had a strong connection.

In the West, yoga classes lean towards movement, with the majority of focus being on asana, or the postures of yoga. I so often hear students say to me that they are not flexible, or they can’t do a headstand. But whilst postures are important tools on the path of yoga, they are not the end goal.

Meditation, breath control (pranayama), concentration, ethics and intention are all what makes yoga more than a fitness class. They are important elements of the practice to help integrate yoga into the everyday life. To help us to unite or yoke.

Is yoga a religion?

Yoga is a spiritual practice, and is one of the six systems that together create the foundation of Hinduism. But it is not a religion. Yoga is a spiritual practice.

During my yoga teacher training, my teacher Erika Shapiro shared a quote from Thomas Berry’s book, Religions of India about this “Yoga is a spirituality rather than a religion. As a spirituality it has influenced the entire range of Indian religions and spiritual development.”

What does yoga mean to you?

I invite you to consider what yoga means to you with some journal prompts. I’d love to know what yoga means to you, please do share your thoughts.

Journal prompts

Why do I practice yoga?
What does yoga mean to me?
How does my yoga practice bring me union?
How can I take yoga off the mat and into my life?

In our fast-paced, hectic, often city based lives, yoga has become a sanctuary for a vast number of people; a space where they can take a break from the hustle and bustle and move their bodies in a conscious and mindful way. But as you’ll see from the definition of yoga, there is much more to this practice than just the postures or asana that we practice in class.

For me, union of mind, body and soul will be a lifelong journey, a constant practice. I find it a true privilege to have found this path and I feel even more blessed to be able to teach it. Yoga has evolved in my life to be something I share with others each week, and that in itself is a wonderful act of union. Thank you to everyone who allows me to guide them in this practice.

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I hope to practice with you on the mat sometime soon.