Philosophy
To me, yoga is unity. Yoga is everything. It’s the way we choose to live, laugh and connect. It is the foundation of self care. The foundation of breath. The foundation of learning to lean into discomfort rather than run away, self medicate or self-abandon. It is the foundation of learning to be present. To see the good in all humanity. To be brave enough to stand in truth. To connect with and prioritize yourself.
I think culturally we aren’t taught to take care of ourselves enough. We aren’t taught the importance of a healthy supple spine and lubricated joints. We aren’t encouraged to make healthy lifestyle choices. We aren’t encouraged to find strength, determination and the bright light of happiness within and instead seek solutions outside of ourselves.
Especially as we grow older with increased responsibilities, we tend to put the relationship with our wellness (our body, our breath, our strength and flexibility) on the back burner. As a human being, a woman, a daughter, a mother, a wife there is immeasurable responsibility. When we are stressed, which is an inevitable part of the journey, we must prioritize taking better care of ourselves so we can do all of the things we love and enjoy and need to do with more joy, ease and success! Whether it’s showing up for our family, our boss, our friends or simply ourselves each and everyday.
"You must remember that when you perform theses asanas, your body is transforming itself during this 90 minute moving meditation. Moving deliberately and gracefully increases your stamina, control, patience and discipline. The effort we make in yoga, the trying - always doing our best despite the pain, the difficulties or obstacles - is an important component; in some ways it is the yoga. Remember it's not what you do, it's how you do it. And it's only through that discipline, trying the right way, that peace, and self-realization can be achieved. Sure, it's hard, but as I said before, the right way is the hard way."
— Bikram Choudhury