yoga? for what?

Just like many people, the first time I went to a Yoga class I went for some feel good stretches. I always loved stretching. It made me feel good. But then I noticed Yoga required muscular strength and physical coordination that I hadn’t worked before and that got me intrigued, so I kept going back to class.

Then slowly but surely I started to notice that there seems to be something very deep involved in this Yoga thing… and I started to get curious so I took Yoga Teacher Training. I didn’t plan to but I even started to teach Yoga.

Just like this I continued down the Yoga rabbit hole and I am still on that journey.

Now I still practice Yoga to feel good, but it’s a different kind of feel good that intrigues me.

Counter to the plethora of seven-step solutions and quick-fix formula offered by so many contemporary self-help guides, the ancient science of Yoga does not pretend to be simple, quick, or easy. It is a practice that takes into account the very messy and often complex phenomenon of what we call a human being and the equally challenging task of everyday living. What Yoga does promise, however, is that through sincere, skillful, and consistent practice, anyone can become peaceful, happy, and free. It does not matter who you are or who you take yourself to be. Neither does it matter what has happened to you in the past or where you find yourself in the present. Anyone who has the intention to break through self-limiting and self-immobilizing thoughts and behaviors can and will find freedom through this practice. Regardless if you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, the moment you engage in Yoga practice you will discover that the practice is itself the reward. Peace of mind and freedom from fear are as imminent as your focus. This change of mind has immediate consequences. You start to feel a sense of ease with life, and you feel more able to adapt to change. You experience a new vitality and clarity that affect your relationship at home, at work, and in the world.
—— from Bringing Yoga to Life by Donna Farhi

This is from one of my favorite Yoga books and when I read this I thought, “Really?!?!? ANYONE!? Peaceful, happy, and free?! I want some of that but is this true?!”

It does say “through sincere, skillful, and consistent practice” but at this point in my Yoga practicing life, I do feel like this might be true… I DO feel like this practice is making me feel more peaceful, happy, and free. Now I practice Yoga for that feeling.