One Spirit Yoga

Yoga is a guidance system in the pathway to life. The principles and beliefs are interwoven in every aspect of one's life. All kingdoms here on Earth echo this as their existence. Yoga is how we live in our bodies, think and process in our minds and express our higher selves.
The many aspects of Yoga are blended in a synergistic flow as we express and experience life. Yoga is a way and a means to assisting us in experiencing the self that is within us and expanding that inner spirit and life force.

Yoga is an Art, a way of living at the highest possible level for human experience, a away of creating inner joy and outer harmony with ones self and the external world.

Yoga is a pragmatic science that was developed by seers thousands of years ago that can be practiced by any person, regardless of age, sex, race, religious origin or physical limitations.

In researching the benefits and value of Yoga, Patanjali, the author of the Yoga Sutras, clearly defines the Eight Limbed Path or Ashtanga, as a guidance system or hierarchical structure that gives the student an emphasis on which to concentrate upon.

The eight limbs are presented in a systematic core, however, just as all things flow in a synergistic wave with nature, as one approaches one limb or aspect and dedicates compassionate energy and focus to that aspect, it is part of the natural process to be drawn to and evolve to another leg of the path.

The paths consist of the following ethics and progress through physical and mental processes that ultimately connect us with our highest and most intimate self.

The Yamas, the first of the eight, contain five virtues that govern our selves and how we relate to our outer world.

The first virtue is Ahimsa or non-injury. This applies not only to others, but also to our selves. Being kind, loving and compassionate to all human, animal and plant kingdoms in our environment and allowing all to live as they may.

The second is Satya or truthfulness. This honesty is to be in our words, our thoughts, our deeds, and our communications with others and our internal talk with our self.

The third is Asteya or non-stealing. This not only applies to the obvious statement of not stealing material objects. Non-stealing expands outward to all aspects of taking from oneself and others that which is not ours. Allowing other to be them selves.

The fourth is Brahmacharya or God like conduct. Sometimes misunderstood in western society as celibacy, although some practice this as so. It is more to conduct oneself in a God like manner. We are to use our sexual energy in a loving, giving and nurturing manner and not for manipulation or power over others.

The fifth is Aparigraha or non-clinging. This is the ultimate of non-attachment. Detachment not only from the excess of material goods, but also from the attachment to limited thoughts and closed mindedness.

The second in the eight legs is the Niyamas. In these five is the observance of ones own virtues and their relationship to and with others.

The first is Shaucha or purity and cleanliness. This applies to living a clean and pure life in your choice of whole and nourishing foods, enriching ones own knowledge and living in a nurturing and supportive environment

The second is Santosha or the practice of contentment. This applies to finding your peace in each moment. This is finding your sense of ease and release in any situation and praying for the divine order in all things.

The third is Tapas or burning desire. This is a direction or at times a re direction of our energies for the highest good of self and those around us. This is for us to be able to find joy, peace, and laughter in all situations and to rely on a higher power that is within us.
The fourth is Swadhyaya or self- inquiry. This is the continuation to explore the self and to delve into those outer limits and things that challenge us and lead us to a higher discovery and sense of our self.

The fifth is Ishvarapranidhana or devotion to the Spiritual. This is the surrender to the order and will of the higher power that guides us. It is also a daily dedication to connect to this power and presence that is present in all things.

The third of the eight limbs, Asanas or posture, is probably what western society recognizes most as Yoga. These series of postures that are combined in a daily practice can help to facilitate flexibility, strength, balance and ease of movement. They are also supportive for all functioning of our internal systems. Most of all they serve as a means for the connection of the body and mind and assisting in the calmness and stillness of the Spirit.

The fourth of the eight is Pranayama or mastery of the breath. The breath is the life force or prana of the physical body and it is the pathway of the connection between body, mind and spirit. The breath is the means to our existence here and we would survive only mere moments without it. The mastery of this breath serves to connect us to this moment in which life then has an opportunity to expand fully and richly in and around us.

The fifth of the eight is Pratyahara or the withdrawal of the senses. This is the inward focus of yourself to the Ultimate source. Detaching you rself from the senses of the body and mind to a concentrated attention within.

The sixth in the path is Dharana a focused concentration. With the use of Asanas to relax and calm the body and with the practice of Pranayama to energize and center the mind, it is then ready to calm the senses and to begin the focus inward.

The seventh is Dhyana or meditation. When Dharana is apparent then we can begin the connection of the mind or consciousness with the soul. This is the time of daily devotion and dedication to your connection with the Source.

The last on the path of eight is Samadhi or merging with the Divine. This is the state of pure bliss and ecstasy. This is the ultimate oneness with the realization that we are one with God. "I am as you are, you are as I am." This is the time of self-realization and must be experienced to be understood.

There are many styles, practices and approaches to Yoga, however the benefits and value to life are ultimately the same. Yoga is a living and breathing experience. A dedicated practice then allows us to evolve and grow. Each day of dedication to the values of yoga changes us somehow inside and we are never the same. Just as a rose is given divine time to gently open and blossom, so we too must allow ourselves the compassion and divine time to open and blossom to our own true potential.

Yoga will be your constant companion and it will teach to ask the questions to life and then to look inside for the answers.

Namaste