The Philosophy of Yoga
We often treat yoga as just a way to stretch, but it was originally designed as a practice for the mind. Here is where we look beyond the shapes to understand the ancient intent of our practice.
This series of posts explores a fundamental question: Why is yoga for the mind and not just the body? It's an invitation to look beyond the physical and understand the deeper purpose of our practice.
Let's see yoga for what it truly is. It's not about being super flexible; it's a practice of mindfulness that uses the body as a tool to undo the "fullness of the mind."
What is the role of the body in yoga? The body is the instrument we use to begin the work of evolving our consciousness. Purifying the body through asana lays the foundation for the subtler practices of pranayama and dhyana (meditation).
Understanding Hatha Yoga. It's not just a "style" of yoga but a complete system of practices, including kriyas, asanas, and pranayama, designed to create a practical path towards higher awareness.
What are we missing in modern yoga? The ancient yogis used asana to prepare the mind for meditation. The purpose was always to move from the gross physical body to the subtle inner self.
The goal of asana is not to master a handstand, but to prepare the body and mind for the state of dhyana (meditation). It's about building strength and focus, not just achieving athletic feats.
Yoga is not always here to make you feel good. It's a path of self-enquiry that often brings up uncomfortable feelings. This process of seeing our shadows is where the real transformation happens.
It doesn't matter what first brought you to yoga. What truly matters is what makes you stay. This video is a reminder to let the outward practices guide you inward, to seek the self and be intentional with your journey.
Do you ever feel lost or stuck in your yoga journey? It's a natural part of the process. This is a reminder to revisit your "why," the sincere intention that brought you to the mat in the first place.
As yoga practitioners, we can become attached to our practice, our teachers, or even our students. This video explores these subtle forms of attachment and the importance of recognizing them to truly grow.
About The Philosophy of Yoga
Most of us start yoga for the physical movement, but the practice is meant to be a bridge from the gross body to the subtle mind. I focus on why we hold a pose or breathe a certain way, so you learn to regulate your own nervous system and find quiet in the middle of a busy day.
Moving From Gross to Subtle
The physical postures, or asanas, are simply the starting point. In my sessions, we use the body as an instrument to refine our consciousness. When we treat yoga only as exercise, we miss the nervous system regulation that occurs when we synchronize movement with breath.
The Nervous System and Yoga
Yoga is not just about flexibility; it is about building agility in your nervous system. By balancing your sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) responses, we teach the body how to recover from stress. This is why we integrate pranayama and restorative flows—to help you shift from a state of constant alertness to a state of ease.
Why We Practice
It is easy to get caught up in the aesthetics of yoga, but the goal is self-enquiry. When we let go of the need to master a pose, we create space to observe our own patterns of thinking and feeling. Whether we are practicing Iyengar-inspired alignment or Hatha flow, the intention remains the same: to use the mat as a laboratory where you can observe your own nature, acknowledge your shadows, and return to your natural state of rest.
Nishtha Bijlani
I moved from a media career to the mat when I realized yoga was meant to be more than just a workout. My sessions are about using your body as a starting point to find the stillness that exists within you.
Looking for something specific?
Explore other aspects of my yoga practice to find what fits your needs.
More from Yoga Instruction by Nishtha Bijlani