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The Heart of a Yoga Practice: Dedicating your Efforts
from: Alanna KaivalyaCopyright 2006 Alanna Kaivalya
There are a variety of reasons people begin practicing yoga.
Many wonder what all the fuss is about, some have heard that it
can help with flexibility and strength, and others wonder about
the stress relief benefits. More than fifteen million Americans
have stepped on the mat and have explored how yoga can enrich
their lives, but many only see the physical benefits. Despite
the growing popularity of yoga, many instructors are left
wondering if many people are really missing the true purpose of
the practice.
What are yoga students missing when they are only taking class
to lose weight, become fit, or relieve stress? They are missing
the heart of the practice and the chance to make significant
positive changes in their lives. When going to a yoga class
becomes something greater than just something you do for
yourself every now and again, you begin to realize that it is
not just about you anymore. Dedicating the practice to something
greater than yourself is what draws the distinction between just
doing exercise and practicing yoga.
These days, it seems that the mention of dedication, or
devotion, can be a tricky subject in yoga class. People tend to
be unresponsive when the idea of the divine is mentioned. It is
important for yoga practitioners to know that the philosophy of
yoga is inextricably linked with divinity, no matter what name
is given to it or how it is incorporated. Yoga was built on the
idea that there is a force greater than ourselves, and yet we
are still connected to it. This is the idea of Oneness, and the
idea is more than fairly comforting. Others who are religious
fear a conflicting of faiths by believing in the spirituality of
yoga; however, Swami Satchidananda said, "The Truth is one, the
paths are many." Therefore, people of any faith or belief can
practice yoga. Even if a practioner of yoga does not believe in
any form of divinity, this does not present a problem. They must
simply recognize that the nature of all beings is joy and try to
connect with that.
Now that we've gotten that sticky subject out of the way, I want
to explain this idea of dedicating your practice in greater
detail. It's not even so much about dedication as it is
relinquishing or letting go of everything whether they be
worries, fears, misunderstandings, or hang-ups. My teacher,
Sharon Gannon, always promotes the idea that "You've got to get
down to get up." What she means is that you need to be rooted in
the here and now and be able to let go of all the fruits of your
actions. Why, you ask? Why shouldn't you just keep on doing yoga
to perfect your chatturangas, balance longer in tree pose, and
get that yoga butt? The answer is a simple one. What are all
those things going to get you in the long run?
Sure, nailing that Chatturanga feels great, and deepening your
Hanumanasana (splits pose) can give you a bit of a rush. I'm not
denying that one bit, but what is the true purpose behind the
motions? Yoga practice can help you to break a cycle, stop bad
habits, and transform your life. Yes, it can do all of those
things, but you have to let it. You see, you can't acquire yoga
like you can dance steps or aerobic maneuvers; you have to let
go of what is obscuring it. You have to let go of your
preferences and simply be in the moment as a divine being.
So why do asana at all if you're not supposed to be attached to
the outcome? Because the asanas help to show you the interior of
your own mind, they clearly point out what you're holding on to
and what you still need to work through. They transform you into
the tree or the warrior and make you see what it is like to step
outside of yourself, even for the briefest of moments. Asana
also gives you the chance to see that both the world and you
yourself are constantly changing. This, in turn, gives you the
opportunity to find what is real and unchanging.
When you realize that the purpose of your yoga practice is not
to keep you rooted in this world, but to let you move through
it, you begin to have faith in your ability to reach the divine
with your actions. It can ignite the soul and give you a sense
of renewed dignity and worth. Because you know that you're not
just performing the motions for your own benefit, the sense of
satisfaction from your practice can grow beyond the mat. For
example, have you ever had the opportunity to offer selfless
service to another? Maybe you've adopted a pet and taken on the
full responsibility of loving and caring for it, and, in
exchange, all you have received is unconditional love from them
for giving happiness and freedom. This is what the act of
devotion is all about--realizing that it's not all about the
wishes and wants you only think you need.
When you start letting go of the selfish motives for practice
and try to connect with something greater, you inspire your own
ability to love. This is the nature of the spirit, and
connecting with that is the ultimate goal of yoga practice.
Samadhi is union with the divine, a connection with the source,
which is true love. Everything else is negligible. As my
teachers, Sharon Gannon and David Life, would say, "The sheer
desire for Oneness is the way to it."
Realizing that all the beings in this world are connected in
this way is a remarkable step for the yogi. Once the lines
between 'you' and 'them' begin to fade, you realize how
important it is to share love and a sense of gratitude with
everyone around you.
About the author:
Alanna Kaivalya is an Advanced Certified Jivamukti Yoga
instructor who teaches nationally and internationally. Her
favorite element of yoga is the practice of deep listening -
Nada Yoga - which helps to connect her to the divine vibrations
everywhere. To download her podcasts, contact her or to invite
her to teach, please visit her website, http://www.jivadiva.com
.
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