What is Yoga?

There is no concise way to answer that question in a manner it deserves. In its most simple (and incorrect) terms, Yoga has been described as a form of exercise. It can also be simply, and correctly defined as a means of delivering our souls from the cycle of birth and death. In Mahadev Desai’s introduction of the Gita according to Gandhi, he succinctly and beautifully defines yoga as ‘the yoking of all the powers of body, mind, and soul to God; it means the disciplining of the intellect, the mind, the emotions, the will, which that Yoga presupposes; it means a poise of the soul which enables one to look at life in all its aspects evenly’. That may be the most concise definition I have read.

Many of us have different experiences with our Yoga practice and would partially describe and define it according to those experiences. Without quoting every definition of the practice that I’ve come across to date, allow me instead to share with you some of my understanding of what Yoga is.

Yoga is a way of living to be explored by studying, internalizing and practicing the 8 limbs of Yoga. The 8 limbs consist of the living principles (the yamas and the niyamas), the postures (asanas), breathing practices (pranayama), turning the senses inward (pratyahara), drawing complete attention and concentration on a single point (dharana), meditation (dhyana), and full consciousness and alertness (samadhi).

Yoga is a personal journey through all the 8 limbs, trying and testing each, feeling the effects they have on your self, noticing the effects your practice has on those you come into contact with, and asking yourself at each step of the way: Does this serve my spiritual growth?
I use the terms, ‘exploration’ and ‘personal journey’ because yoga is a very personal and unique practice. Once you begin your study, you will feel changes as you awaken more. You will feel powerless NOT to continue forward, like a moth being drawn from the darkness toward light.
It is instinctual that we grow spiritually. That is not to say that it comes without effort. We all struggle with different aspects of Yoga, but we continue because it resonates truthfully within us. Sometimes we find that it is the more challenging stuff that packs the bigger lessons. Facing those challenges can yield a bounty of good feeling and internal harmony when we think we’re "getting it".

As you study, learn, change and grow, run your experiences through this filter:
"Am I a better___________ (friend, brother, sister, spouse, stranger to meet, etc.) because of this practice?" If you find yourself answering yes to that, I think you are well on your way to answering the question of what yoga is for yourself.

Namaste.