What's Your Definition of Yoga?
What comes to mind when you hear the word yoga? Stretching? Twisting your body into pretzel-like shapes? Gentle movement, balance, or finding inner peace?
For many, yoga is often associated with these physical aspects. It’s easy to imagine it as a series of postures designed to increase flexibility, strength, and calm the mind. However, this view only scratches the surface of what yoga truly encompasses. At its core, yoga means connection: a union with the highest truth. The word itself is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning "to unite" or "to join." It refers to the relationship of the individual self with the universal consciousness. Traditionally, yoga is not confined to physical practice alone; it is a comprehensive way of life. In other words, one's yoga practice is cultivated as much off the mat as it is on it.
Yoga is More Than Meets the Eye
In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras (one of the foundational yogic texts), asana, or the physical postures we commonly associate with yoga, is just one of many tools for achieving unity and self-realisation.
If we look at the Ashtanga (eight-limbed) path of yoga, which includes yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi, we notice that yama and niyama come before asana.
These first two limbs focus on how we relate to ourselves and others; on embodying moral and ethical principles as the foundation for all deeper practice.
In other words, true yoga begins with how we live. From the way we think, speak, and act, to the way we engage with the world around us.
The physical postures are only meaningful when grounded in awareness, compassion, and integrity.
Walking the Path of Yoga Every Day
In our Level 1 Course, we explore these principles in depth, integrating them into everyday life. Through classes in yogic philosophy and related Vedic sciences such as Jyotisha (Vedic Astrology) and Ayurveda (the science of life and longevity), students are guided to look deeper within, uncovering the ultimate purpose of their existence.
Our environment also nurtures this growth by creating a space where daily sadhana (spiritual practice) becomes a living, breathing part of our routine.
Through consistent practice, whether in meditation, mindfulness, or asana (physical postures), we're able to cultivate and maintain inner peace, clarity, and alignment with our highest self.
Additionally, the support of like-minded individuals who are walking a similar path fosters a sense of connection and shared purpose. This support network is vital in offering encouragement, accountability, and wisdom, helping each individual stay grounded and inspired in continuing their spiritual journey.
Reflect and Realign
As the year draws to a close, we invite you to pause and reflect:
How have you grown this year?
What lessons have shaped you?
What direction are you called toward next?
Here are a few journaling prompts to guide your reflection:
What wins (big or small) can I celebrate this month?
What habits can I build to keep my growth momentum going?
What thoughts or behaviours no longer serve me, and what can I release to make space for new growth?
Take a few moments to sit with these questions.
Your practice doesn’t end when you roll up your mat. It continues in every breath, every choice, and every moment of awareness. In each decision we make, whether in our relationships, our work, or our self-care, there is an opportunity to live in alignment with our highest values and intentions. In each moment of awareness, we practice yoga by choosing presence over autopilot, kindness over judgment, and peace over agitation.
Ready to Explore Further?
If you’re curious about diving deeper into yoga as a way of life and not just a physical practice, we invite you to apply for our Level 1 Course: a journey where theory meets practice, and self-discovery unfolds naturally.
