I sometimes start my sessions asking this question, what are you looking for in your yoga practice? Based on the responses I grouped the answers into four categories.
- To build strength and flexibility
- To relax
- To improve their energy levels
- To enhance their spiritual connection
For the first three categories we can set a benchmark to later reflect on if the yoga practice is helping them to achieve their expectations. This is practical and can be discussed based on how they feel in the body. I often struggle with the fourth category, the spiritual connection. The reason is, spirituality is subjective and every one has their own understanding based on their background and their learnings. So I tend to ask questions to explore what spirituality means for them.
Some people say, we are not just physical beings looking for material fulfillments, there is deeper meaning to life beyond this physical realm. If we live a life without knowing this there won’t be a meaning to the life and one would die with regret.
Some say, they want to live a life making choices, taking decisions and for this they need guidance, and they have heard that when one lives a life spiritually they will be guided by their heart/intuition.
Some like to know their true self, between the multiple roles they play in the world, they often get confused who they truly are. They heard somewhere they are not the roles they play but they are the soul which is beyond the body and yoga is a practice to unite you with the soul.
I had the opportunity to discuss in depth with a few of them about their learning and findings and I have my own experience in exploring the spiritual realm of yoga. What I understood is people want to be happy, what they are looking for is happiness. When we are not happy we seek help, guidance. We learn from ours and others experiences to stay away from difficulties. Yoga practice offers tools to take care of ourselves physically, mentally and emotionally.
Yoga is a holistic approach to overall wellness. Practices involve yoga postures to keep the body strong and flexible, pranayama involves techniques to release suppressed emotions, mindfulness practices help to overcome excessive thinking which might lead to stress, worrying, anxiety etc.
