Embracing Yoga Philosophy for Peace & Harmony in the World

I really think that more of the world should know and understand Yoga Philosophy.

It’s a centuries-old system of beliefs that originated in India and has since spread around the world. However, it seems to only be shared with those learning to teach Yoga, which up until the point of that training, is usually seen as just a physical form of exercise. This includes myself!

Even as Yoga instructors, it is not typical to discuss or incorporate much philosophy at all, particularly in the fitness industry. This is actually seen as a NO-NO at many gyms and “yoga” studios. Which is a big part of why I have little interest in teaching the physical practice (Asanas) of Yoga.

I am not talking about any form of religious beliefs here, as Yoga is NOT a religion. It’s a practice or lifestyle, a way of living simply, honestly and mindfully and prioritizing health. I have found that it offers a wonderful guide for life, encompassing physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of our existence. It is a belief system and way of living that I believe could honestly bring about a peace on earth if followed by everyone.

One of the key elements of yoga philosophy is that the mind and body are interconnected, and that one cannot be healthy without the other. This is why yoga emphasizes physical postures, or asanas, as well as breathing exercises and meditation. By practicing these techniques, we can improve our physical health, reduce stress, and promote mental clarity.

In essence, this so far, is basically the definition of Holistic Health. This term has become an extremely popular "buzzword" these days ...even if many that use it don't seem to know the true definition. 

A holistic lifestyle is a way of living that aims to promote overall well-being by addressing all aspects of a person's life, including physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. It involves taking a comprehensive approach to health and wellness, focusing on prevention rather than simply treating symptoms of illness. Holistic living emphasizes the importance of listening to the body, making conscious choices about what to eat, how to move, and how to manage stress. By taking a holistic approach to life, we can achieve a greater sense of balance and harmony, leading to improved health and greater fulfillment.

Another important aspect of yoga philosophy is the concept of mindfulness. This involves being fully present in the moment and non-judgmentally observing our thoughts and feelings. By cultivating mindfulness, we can become more aware of our habitual patterns of thought and behavior, and begin to change them if they are not serving us. 

However, it also really needs to be practiced in the form of mindfulness within the community. We can do this by putting our attention on the way we treat and talk to each other, not judging each other, showing patients, tolerance and acceptance. That is all being mindful too, but in a way that could really create positive change for us as a society. . 

Yoga philosophy teaches us to do no harm, in any way, to any living thing on this earth, to accept the personal beliefs and the path/journey that each of us are on, and encourages us to live a life of service and compassion. Ultimately teaching us that by recognizing our interconnectedness with all beings, we can cultivate empathy and kindness towards others, and work towards creating a more just and equitable world. 

Plus other concepts like non-attachment, especially to material things, is an amazing value to embrace ...and one of the most unbalanced areas of our current society. 

Think of the amount of starving people that could be fed and health care that could be provided, if we were just as content driving a new, safe and reliable mini-van to get us around, instead of the billions of dollars spent on luxury cars every year. Not to mention, without the greed and competition to have bigger, better, more expensive everything than everyone else, we would all be so much more content.

Overall, this beautiful and compassionate philosophy just offers such a wonderful guide to life individually as well as for the entirety of the human race. Everyone should learn and embrace the vision of living life content and peaceful, selflessly as one ...as we are all ONE.