Yoga and Transcendence
Yoga and transcendence are weighty words with significant meanings and potentially life-changing implications, but most of us don’t realize just how much the two have in common. Generally speaking, we revere transcendence as a state reserved exclusively for remarkable religious and spiritual figures, ie, Budha, Jesus, and Allah to name a few. And yoga, well, a large number of people here in the west tend to think of yoga as the act of rolling out a mat, working your body into impossible positions, and then taking a quick nap afterward (possibly a few aums and chakra mentions sprinkled in there as well).
However, when we practice yoga, and I mean genuinely practicing yoga, we are inevitably being led to periods of transcendence.
The great sage Patanjali is considered to be the father of classic yoga. Several thousand years ago, Patanjali wrote the Yoga Sutras as a guidebook to yoga practice. In it, he describes eight limbs of yoga, with each limb just as integral as the other to a complete yoga practice. These limbs include developing personal values, the physical practice of postures, breathing exercises, meditation, and transcendence.
When we dedicate ourselves to the practice of yoga and all of its limbs, periods of transcendence will naturally arise for the practitioner. During periods of turmoil and stress (which absolutely include hurricanes!), our yoga practice helps us to overstep the chaos of the world around us. We can rise above our personal interpretations and the busyness of our minds and notice what’s true, what’s real, and what matters in the bigger scheme.
Sounds good, right? And particularly good right now. If you’re interested in learning more about all yoga offers, please consider our 200-Hour TrueForm® YTT, based on Patanjali’s eight limbs of yoga. Our next training begins October 7, coming right up! Consider giving it a shot, and contact us with any questions. Regardless, we’re happy you’re here, and we look forward to seeing you on the mat! <3
Jai Bhagwan,
Kristine
