This is a dive into the world of pure yoga.
You may be attending class every morning, camping outside the yoga studio to get your daily dose of exercise and even joining a handful of other fitness classes!
But practice is an intricate one, with various components. Yoga and fitness, after all, if we are to believe the ancient texts, are two completely different things altogether.
Let’s be kind to ourselves first of all. If you’re reading this. the chances are you’re already on the right path. You put time into the yoga practice, listen to your yoga teacher, have experience with many traditional yoga classes and are curious what a truly balanced yoga practice is all about…
So lets dive in to 3 key considerations necessary to take you forwards in your noble journey:
Pure Yoga Diet
A pure yogic practice incorporates a ‘Sattvic’ food diet, which balances the body, allowing it to function at its full potential. Unlike other more stimulating food choices (with stronger salty, spicy or bitter flavours), or bland heavier foods such as meat and alcohol, Sattvic foods are nourishing, vitamin rich and pacifying for the mind.
Generally speaking, these foods include wholemeal bread, fruits and vegetables, nuts and legumes, butter and cheese, pure fruit juices, honey and herbal teas.
Stick closely to this list and you’ll no doubt notice a powerful shift in your yoga fitness as well as your every day well being.
Mindfull Experience
The mental side of yogic practice, equally, is something separate from your physical yoga schedule. The yoga experience transcends even to the treatment of all sentient beings through your thoughts, intentions and wishes (‘karma yoga’).
In the minutes before class, bring your awareness to the momentary habits of the mind. Notice how it tries to escape your observation; how the breathe is constantly changing along with the current of life within which you find yourself each and every moment.
Observe the mind also during your various yoga postures. How the pain and tension of the body trigger certain thoughts, emotions and mental strategies.
Lastly, during uncertain times, have compassion for yourself and for others. Everyone experiences difficult times in their lives – sending loving wishes to others can powerfully enhance your own positive experience of being also, for to give to another (in the cosmic realm) is actually to give to oneself.
Power of Yoga Consistency
If there is anything true to be said of a pure yoga practice it is that the simple act of trying really counts!
Showing up is the first, and most important, rule of any practice, especially one as infinite and detailed as yoga. Thankfully, even during this time, virtual classes are available everywhere online, whether via Zoom, Youtube or your own personal school. Studio locations are abundant in cities all over the world these days also, so chances are you’re never too far away from your next opportunity to practice.
Schedule in your classes, stick to the plan, and let the practice do the work. There’ll always be more to learn, and that’s the humble truth about any and all yogic forms.
So eat right, keep the mind in check and stick to your practice. Pretty simple, right? Well pure yoga was never meant to confuse or condemn anyone after all. Like anything, the power is in its simplicity.
May your practice be pure, and your life be peaceful…
