What does YOGA mean to you?

I was accepted into advanced teacher training at Sampoorna Yoga Village in Goa, India, in celebration of my 50th birthday in November. Part of the application process required answering the question “What does yoga mean to you?”

To me, yoga is more than the poses on the mat. Yoga is the stilling of my mind – “Yoga chitta vritti nirodah.”  My mat becomes a sacred sanctuary where I set intentions, where I remember my Divine nature and connect to God - or the universe. A Sun Salutation becomes a prayer, a Mountain pose a symbol for steadiness, a Warrior pose an opportunity to sharpen my focus.

Yoga helped me overcome an exercise addiction. I used to get angry every day that I missed a run or a class. Today, I am much more balanced in how I spend my time and energy.

Yoga has been my best friend while I was in acute hip pain. It prepared my body for surgery and helped me recover. It taught me to love and accept my body without the need to compare or compete against others. I learned to listen inward, adjust and make my practice my own.

Yoga taught to me to be at peace with who I am.

So hum. I am that.

In my teaching, I hope to create a space for you so you can define the meaning yoga has for you.  

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