The Meaning of Yoga

Some teachers say Yoga is a noun. It means union or the state of being. You can't do yoga. You have to be yoga.

Some say Yoga is a verb. It's an active state. You have to practice yoga in order to realize its fruit -the state of union.

For me, yoga is both. It's the balance state. As Indira Ghandi puts it -"
You must learn to be still in the midst of activity and to be vibrantly alive in repose."

The more a practitioner learns about yoga the broader her perspective. We live in the world filled with dualities. Without darkness we can't recognize the light. Yoga teachings allow the practitioner to see beyond pairs of opposites.

Are you in a more active state of yoga? There are 8 limbs of yoga. If you are doing a lot of physical yoga practice, excelling in yoga postures and having mastered Ujjaiyi breath but feel that you are not progressing try doing more mental and emotional practices. Read more about the other 6 limbs and bring their teachings to your life.

Are you in a more passive state of yoga? If you are spending a lot of time alone and prefer to meditate but your body and mind are constantly ill at ease try more physical practice.

You will find that yoga is a constant balance between the state of doing and being. The zen koan puts it well -"After enlightenment, the laundry." And since none of us (who are reading this blog) are enlighten we probably have a lot more being to do.