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Photography by Lewis Metts
Yoga is a way of life; it is not just a series of poses. In fact, the yoga poses that are most often in the Postures articles are from a branch of yoga called Hatha Yoga. But this is not the only type of yoga nor is it the traditional yoga. In fact, it’s nowhere close. Yoga is also more than just a way of life–it’s a way of being. You can be in any yoga pose but if you aren’t in the yoga state of mind then there’s something missing from not only the pose but from you being in the pose. The philosophy of Yoga goes well beyond the poses of yoga that evolved over the years. Yoga involves a commitment to Self—the inner self, the outer self and the higher self. Without this commitment, the deep spiritual connection to self that yoga can bring, then the poses become nothing but physical movements. One could literally go through the motions of the poses and perhaps get a good physical workout but they would miss so much. A true yoga practice means committing not only to the known postures but also to the breath, the mind, the spirit. It’s a commitment that reaches in deep to the core of a yoga practitioner. The yoga state becomes a place of solace, peace and tranquility—a place to quite the mind, still the body and observe the soul and the divine but also the connection of the soul to the divine. This state of being becomes a place to listen to the inner workings of the heart but also to listen to the voice of the Divine.
“Prayer is the act of talking to God; Meditation is the act of listening to God.”
The voice of the Divine, the voice of God, is whatever God and Divine mean to you. Yoga does not ask you to believe in one God or another. It simply asks that you speak to and listen to your God—the Divine presence and light with in you and the Divine presence and light outside of you.
This month’s article has no pose to try. But I think this month’s call is more challenging. We’re beginning a new year and some say a turning point in humanity. Whether this is true or not I don’t know but what I do know is that at any time each of us can create a turning point in our own lives. Therefore, this article is a call for you to inhabit the yoga state of being and deepen your spiritual practice. This doesn’t mean that you give up your spiritual beliefs or believe in anything different than you already believe. Instead, it means that you take your spirituality with you to the yoga mat or any quiet space and be completely committed to and for your spirituality. Not just your religion or beliefs but the deep spirit within you. Connect with your soul, listen to the stillness in your heart, listen for the Divine presence. Close your eyes and really hear the sound of your breath, the gentle beat of your heart, the sound of the soft silence within. Know that as you were made in God’s light you so carry that light. Be with that light, feel it, encompass it. Know that in your quiet, still moments you are one with the Divine, one with Spirit, one with God and that stillness and oneness is with you at all times. You are ever present to God Spirit and the God Spirit is ever present in you.
Gatlianne is an author and Yoga & Reiki practitioner based in Athens. To schedule a private yoga or Reiki session, please email M@Gatlianne.com or visit Gatlianne.com.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
EMAIL: M@GATLIANNE.COM
WEBSITE: GATLIANNE.COM
