Freedom and Liberation

This month, we Americans continue with our annual tradition of celebrating Freedom & Liberation on July 4th, Independence Day. Barbeque, family, friends, fireworks, it’s a blast (pun intended)! This celebration is righteous: we ARE privileged to live in (what I believe to be) the greatest nation on the planet. However, the ancient texts of yoga teach us that we humans possess the unique ability to choose Freedom & Liberation for ourselves, no matter our country of citizenship, on a daily basis. What does this mean? Liberation from what, you may ask? As a country, we know we were seeking liberation from England and the rule of King George III, but what about us as individuals, as yogis?

In yoga, we learn that the body-mind is an instrument for recognizing the truth of who we are, our divine nature. On our mats, in our asana practice, our body-mind is developed. We learn and experience a myriad of techniques that benefit us mentally, emotionally, and physically, in every possible way. As we continue practicing, we improve our health and physique, we begin to experience a new sense of calm and peace, we become purposeful, and we feel more happiness. Our everyday lives improve, and we’re able to demonstrate life mastery. And with ALL of this, there is still more!

Patanjali’s yoga sutras teach us that the ultimate purpose of yoga is moksha or liberation. For our discussion, we can think of it as liberation from our smaller, limited selves and liberation as our higher, unlimited Self. To experience our higher Self is to experience who and what we truly are: Divine Consciousness. In this deepest level of awareness, an inner bliss takes over from within, and the separation between “us” and “them” or “me” and “you” disappears. We are at one with what is and know ourselves to be so much more than the body-mind.

As we celebrate our country’s Freedom & Liberation this year, recognize what’s possible and available to you right now! Genuinely experiencing this emancipation is not only your right as a citizen of the United States but as a card-carrying member of the human race!
And, if you’ve made it this far into the reading, our TrueForm® YTT might be something that would interest you. Yes, the 200-hour training will certify you to become a yoga alliance-approved instructor, but it’s about so much more than that! It’s about finding your TrueForm® through Life Mastery and Liberation, on and off the mat! Our Yoga Teacher Training starts on August 25th, and we have an Information session on Saturday, July 15. Please feel free to reach out to me or Jess with any questions.

Jai Bhagwan,

Kristine