Yoga : To Yoke

" There is a good reason for Yoga to have many adherents. It offers not only the much-sought way, but also a philosophy of unrivaled profundity. Yoga practice is unthinkable, and would be ineffectual without the ideas on which it is based. It works the physical and spiritual into one another in an extraordinarily complete way. "

- C.G Jung, "Yoga and the West", in Psychology and the East, R.F.C Hull (Princeton University Press) Pg.81

This is the inherent intelligence of Yoga : its ability to harmonize the effects of the subtle bodies with the physical body and vice versa. The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Yuj' which means 'to Yolk' or 'to join or unite' or in other words , it is the coming together of a hormonious relationship between our separate aspects.

Every asana has a profound impact on the physical body, on our muscles and joints, on our cardiovascular system, on our digestive system, our endocrine glands and therefore our hormones and moods. At a deeper level it therefore starts to impact our subtle bodies, our minds, and our way of life.

Every new asana learned and challenged and overcome, creates new neural pathways in the brain, and instantly begins a newer sharper way of processing thought and experiencing life. Suddenly, parts of life also begin to get synchronized with your wishes, desires, and highest good. It's like a switch, or the correction of a code that suddenly occurs.

For instance, my recent overcoming of fear and ability to perform the headstand in free space, has hugely impacted my state of mind ! Practicing it over the last few months, challenging it and finally achieving it has suddenly bestowed upon me another level of peace. I can feel my thought processes to be different than before, more healthy, positive and directional. My willpower has greatly increased and worry has disappeared. This shift has been reflected greatly in my daily life in the recent weeks.

The effects of Yoga-Practice are immediate, totalitarian and holistic, and when practiced consistently over the years, creates a level of transcendence in our lives, elevating us from the daily chaos of the external world and our minds.