Up until now you may not have known that there is more to yoga than its physical practice known as "Asana" and that is okay. After reading this post you may or may not want to incorporate other aspects of yoga into your life, and that is okay too. However, some words from the wise that I'd like to pass on to you - "Do not be hasty making your decision, wait until you have all the information."
You may have read texts and books that talk about the concept and goal of yoga from a philosophical perspective, but does it translate to our present day? If so, how does it translate? We have only 24 hours in a day and between work, family, and chores, we barely get a moment to relax or even think! I don't know about you, but I have been there, more times than I can count. Especially when I fall off my daily practice of meditation, breathwork, and movement.
Before I share how I incorporate these in my daily routine, let me share a tl;dr version of the Eight Limbs of Yoga -
Yama - How we conduct our lives (Integrity
Ahimsa: Non-violence
Satya: Truthfulness
Asteya: Non-stealing
Brahmacharya: Celibacy
Aparigraha: Detachment from material greed
Niyama - How we practice self-discipline
Saucha: cleanliness (of thoughts, words, actions, and our space)
Santosa (or Santosha): contentment
Tapas: sacrifice or spiritual austerity
Svadhyaya: self-study
Ishwar Pranidhana: Surrendering to <the universe/a higher power/God>
Asana - Physical practice
Pranayama - Control of breath
Pratyahara - Inward journey/Detachment from our sense
Dharna - Concentration/Focus
Dhyana - Meditation
Samadhi - Pure contemplation/Total connectedness with the Divine
You and I do not intend on becoming hermits, forsaking our material lives to retreat to the forest seeking enlightenment. That doesn't mean we cannot reap the benefits of yoga and maximize our material lives. If you pause and really think about the 8 limbs, they are actually extremely practical and may help us be more focused, aware, productive, livelier, energetic, and most of all help simplify our lives. As an example, when I practice non-violence in my thoughts, words, and actions, I am more mindful, objective, and honest. Just by doing that, I simplify my life by communicating in a non-attacking way, addressing the problem or situation and not demonizing the person, all while speaking the truth. It is easier said than done, I know!! But it does become easier with practice and also seeing the benefit of that practice is great motivation.
If you've watched Seinfeld and you remember the episode where they all partake in a challenge to see who can go without sex or masturbation the longest you may also remember what happens next? They are able to think clearly and theirs minds are sharper. Not saying give it up altogether, but being aware and recognizing our dependency on it and its impact on our lives is certainly worth examining. Similarly practicing other limbs of yoga can also have wonderful and life transforming effects on our overall well being by impacting individual aspects of our lives and the way we operate (ability to think clearly, act calmly and rationally, and live more wholesome lives).
Even on my busiest or most stressful days I meditate, even if it's for two minutes. I may not practice pranayama for a whole 30 minutes, it may just be 10 counts of any one type of pranayama exercise. I may not have the luxury of a 60 minute yoga asana practice, but just three sun salutations to move my body and be present with my body and breath.
Here is one way to build a daily habit incorporating as many limbs of yoga as you can to attain a healthier, happier, and simpler life, but first, remember this -
We are human, we are bound to fall, it's okay and let's get up, try again
Do what you can, as many times as you can. (Example - you may be too tired to put your shoes away after a long day out, but try to do it anyway. If you don't or can't, it's okay do not judge or shame yourself, try again the next day)
Start small - instead of setting lofty goals, especially with your time, commit to the smallest chunk of time you know you can consistently keep to meditate, set aside focus time, for reading* and learning. *Not all activities such as reading need to do be done daily - there is no one size fits all
Even in the pursuit of our material goals, greed, insecurities, and attachment will only hold us back. Practice gratitude and equanimity to not get consumed and controlled by lower frequency thoughts.
Do not judge or shame yourself. It takes practice and self-discipline, but there is always room for failure as long as you learn and grow from it.
So next time before you start your practice, try to be more intentional, aware, and present in your practice. I invite you to then take that intention, awareness, and presence in everything you think, say, and do for the rest of your day. The beautiful thing about our lives is that we get to decide how we want to live it. How are you going to live yours?
"How you do anything, is how you do everything." - Martha Beck