Ok. So I talk about yoga a lot. I can’t help it. When I’m passionate about something, I share the love. And because I do, I’ve been asked a time or two, “what is yoga all about?” Oh, where do I start? Honestly, I rarely give the same answer twice. Just when I think I know what “yoga is”, I have a new experience or discover a new description, definition, quote, etc, which alters, elevates, or deepens my understanding.

Yoga really has to be experienced to be understood. But saying, “you have to try it to know it”, seems to fall short for inquiring minds. So I’ve Googled, flipped through books, reviewed my notes, and asked a handful of teachers to see how they answer this age old question.

My discovery? The explanations are esotheric, practical, intellectual, thought-provoking, feel good, challenging, and philosophical. 

So what will I say the next time I’m asked, “what is yoga all about?”  Only time (and circumstance) will tell.  Today, I answer….yoga is my way to say hey there, how are you, I love you.

I hope you enjoy the growing list I’ve started here, and you’ll consider sharing your favourites with me.

Yoga is a Science

• Yoga is the supreme science of contacting reality (The Science of Yoga, Swami Sivananda)
• A practical and comprehensive science for realizing life’s ultimate aims (The Four Desires, Rod Stryker)
• Yoga is one of the most extraordinary spiritual sciences that mankind has ever discovered…Yoga is first and foremost a science of Self-realization. (Yoga & Ayurveda, David Frawley)
• A science and practical method of self-unfoldment, the application of which can lead to the absolute Truth (Himalayan Institute)

Yoga is a System

• One of the six orthodox systems of Indian philosophy (Light on Yoga, BKS Iyengar)
• A complete system of spiritual development (Eat, Taste, Heal, Thomas Yarema, Daniel Rhoda, Chef Johnny Brannigan)

Yoga is Union

• To unite, to join, an individual soul with the cosmic soul (Yoga Sutras video, Swami Rama)
• From the Sanskrit word yuj which means to yoke or bind and is often interpreted as “union” or a method of discipline (Cyndi Lee, Yoga Journal website)
• Yoga is union with God (The Science of Yoga, Swami Sivananda)
• Union of the Individual Self with the Universal Self. Yoga is the union of the body, mind, emotions and intellect (BKS Iyengar)
• Yoga is integration, connection, relationship (Cyndi Lee)

Yoga is a Way to Connect with the Self

• A method for increasing awareness of the inner self (Yoga, Mastering the Basics, Sandra Anderson and Rolf Sovik)
• Connection to the authentic self (Barron Baptiste)
• Relation; means; union; knowledge; matter; logic; upaya (path) (Yoga Mala, Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois)
• A tremendous opportunity to be honest with yourself. It’s like looking through a magnifying glass at yourself. And when you begin to see yourself as you really are, if you take the time to look, you get to manage your life in a different way (Yoga Is film, Eddie Modestini)
• The way of establishing the mind in the Self…the means by which the mind is directed toward the Self and prevented from going toward outside objects…the means to the realization of one’s true self (Yoga Mala, Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois)

Yoga is a Path

• a universal path as well as traditional teachings and practices to cultivate and realize our full potential (Shiva Rea)

Yoga is a Journey

• A journey that culminates in sublime success and happiness (Rod Stryker)

Yoga is a Practice

• Practices and techniques that are ultimately meant to lead you to an experience in which you recognize both the fullest, most essential part of yourself and the grandeur of the magnificence of the life around you (The Four Desires, Rod Stryker)
• 99 percent practice and one percent theory (Sri Pattabhi Jois)
• The backbone of every beginning class is practice – postures combined with breath training and systematic relaxation (Himalayan Institute)

Yoga is a Heightened Way of Being

• Yoga describes a state, a heightened way of being (The Four Desires, Rod Stryker)

Yoga is Skillful Living

• Wisdom in work or skillful living amongst activities, harmony, and moderation (Light on Yoga, BKS Iyengar)

Yoga is Life

• Yoga is Life (Kavi Yogiraj Mani Finger quoted by Rod Stryker in the Four Desires)

Yoga is the Mastery of the Mind

• Complete mastery over the modifications of the mind is called yoga (Yoga Sutra 1.2 translation and commentary, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait)
• The method by which the restless mind is calmed and the energy directed into constructive channels (Light on Yoga, BKS Iyengar)
• Equinimity of mind, it is said (Bhagavad Gita)

Yoga is Being Set Free from Pain

• A deliverance from contact with pain and sorrow (Light on Yoga, BKS Iyengar)
• A journey that culminates in sublime success and happiness (Rod Stryker)