It couldn’t have been a better day than today to share my thoughts here. Thank you, Sushma for inviting me to post here.
GURU PURNIMA is a day to pay ode to the selfless contributions of a Guru. Interestingly, the Sanskrit word Guru itself means one who removes ignorance (Gu meaning ignorance and Ru means remover). Thankyou Sushma for impacting my life and the lives of many like with what you say and do every day.
I am sharing my personal experience here hoping to inspire anyone who is on the edge of making a decision to introducing YOGA into their everyday life.
Due to the many issues that I have battled in the past, last year this time, I was unable to sleep on my right side due to a shoulder injury. I was unable to carry my handbag in my right hand as I couldnʼt lift any weight in my right hand. I was unable to sit cross legged on the ground as I hadnʼt done it for 8 years. Yes, for 8 years and I am definitely ashamed about it.
With the complete belief that Yoga was going to help me, I joined the therapy class. With consistent and careful practice, I can feel and others can see the changes in me.
A year since I introduced yoga practice into my life, I have moved from the therapy class to an advanced class where more than 50% of the students are marathon runners. Though a misfit in that class, I still am happy to be there.
- I still cannot sit in Padmasana or even Ardha padmasana, but I can sit down on the ground without fidgeting for 20 minutes.
- I can sleep on my right side without my shoulder getting frozen.
- I can use my right hand almost in the same way as I use my left.
- I can hold a headstand posture for 4 minutes.
- The icing on the cake, I was enjoying the side effects of regular practice – I had lost 6 inches and could get into the jeans from my younger days during the pre-COVID days.
Yoga has helped me and helped me immensely. I have experienced Yoga as more than just a work-out!
yogaś-citta-vr̥ tti-nirodhaḥ
When you are in a state of yoga, all misconceptions (vrittis) that can exist in the mutable aspect of human beings (chitta) disappear.
Yoga is a beautiful experience to many. Some choose to do it for a limited period of time, others build it into their daily lives.
Yoga is the Sanskrit word for union. The union of the Body, mind and Soul. Yoga is a discipline from India, which is both spiritual and physical involving breathing techniques, exercise and meditation.
With the many different schools of yoga that exist, it can be difficult to figure out which particular style is right for you. Most schools of yoga are based on the same basic yoga poses, called asanas. However, the experience of one style can be radically different from the another.
I have researched and outlined some of the most popular forms of yoga, along with their essential characteristics, to make it easier to know where to begin. To read, follow the link below
- My Journey with Yoga - July 5, 2020