Yoga off the mat. By Ambika

So you found your perfect yoga home that ticks all the boxes: challenging (but relaxing) classes, nice hipster studio, awesome teachers, cool events, retreats to Bali, herbal tea at reception. Now what? Is this what yoga is? 

Did you know that yoga is a way of life? In fact, the asanas (the postures) we practice in a studio are just a small part of yoga. Who we are as a person, how we treat others, how we treat ourselves, how we keep our home, how we contribute to the world and how we impact nature is all part of being a yogi. 

The second sutra in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras reads, 'Yogas Chitta Vritti Nirodha' which translates roughly to 'Yoga is to slow down (or to stop) the fluctuations of the mind'. This is the goal of yoga. If we achieve this, we achieve self realisation. When the mind becomes calm, and free from thoughts, we can then realise that THERE IS NO SEPERATE SELF.

Which means, WE ARE ONE. 

Basically.

In a nutshell :) 

If we are truly living a yoga life we could consider that every single thought, feeling, word and action has a direct impact on the balance of EVERYTHING. We are matter, we are energy and each and every thing is connected. FULL ON! 

Volunteering, serving, helping others, being mindful of where our food is from, being mindful of where our clothes are made, acknowledging others, caring for nature, and simply being kind without expecting something in return are all practices of yoga. I reckon this is where the hard work is for many of us, not the handstand. 

Yoga is a work in progress. It's a practice. A lifelong practice.

So, now you have realised that you are connected to the stranger over the other side of the world, the fish in the sea, the possum in the tree, the person next door, the flower in your front yard, the chair you are sitting on ...

How do you choose to live? 

How will you practice yoga off the mat?