Yoga philosophy is a rich and ancient tradition that encompasses much more than just physical postures. At its core, yoga is about achieving union between the mind, body, and spirit. Yoga is Mindfulness, a school of Mindfulness.
One of the key principles of yoga philosophy is the concept of ahimsa, which means non-violence or compassion towards oneself and others. Practicing ahimsa can help cultivate a sense of peace and harmony within oneself and in relationships with others.
Another important aspect of yoga philosophy is the practice of mindfulness and being present in the moment. By focusing on the breath and being aware of our thoughts and emotions, we can cultivate a sense of inner peace and clarity. This can help reduce stress and anxiety and improve overall well-being.
Yoga philosophy also emphasizes the importance of self-discipline and self-awareness. By practicing self-discipline through regular yoga practice and meditation, we can cultivate a sense of inner strength and resilience. Self-awareness allows us to better understand ourselves and our motivations, leading to personal growth and transformation.
Incorporating these principles of yoga philosophy into your practice can help deepen your connection to yourself and the world around you. By cultivating compassion, mindfulness, self-discipline, and self-awareness, you can experience the transformative power of yoga in your life.
The most important point about yoga philosophy is the concept of unity and interconnectedness. Yoga teaches us that everything in the universe is interconnected and that we are all part of a larger whole. This includes the connection between mind, body, and spirit, as well as our connection to other beings and the natural world. By recognizing and honouring this interconnectedness, yoga philosophy encourages us to cultivate compassion, kindness, and respect for all living beings.
It also emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, self-discipline, and self-realization as a means to achieve harmony and balance in our lives. Ultimately, the goal of yoga philosophy is to help us realize our true nature and experience a sense of oneness with the universe, leading to inner peace, contentment, and spiritual fulfillment.
Yoga is a school of MIndfulness that you can use to enhance your life on and off the mat. We tend to believe that doing a headstand will be more fulfilling and beneficial than only taking what we need from our planet’s natural resources (aparigraha). It can seem far easier to meditate for 20 minutes a day than to practice contentment (santosha) breath by breath.
Patanjali’s 8 limbs of Yoga including the Yamas and Niyamas( https://www.artofliving.org/us-en/yoga/beginners/yamas-niyamas )can be seen as practical ways to live life so we can access inner peace, calm and love in our day to day life, not just every now and again. We can learn to embrace them during our yoga practice which then makes it easier to use them in everyday life as our brain becomes wired for use.
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Yoga Classes in Newcastle and Downpatrick. Timetable here: https://beyondmindfulnessni.com/yoga-with-janet