Escape to the Mountain Top.......

I used to wonder if I could be a real yogi and still live a normal busy, family life.  After all if we are to practice all the 8 limbs of yoga not just the 'asana' (posture) part then we need to be fully engaged in all those other aspects of being a yogi. (see below list)  But as time has gone on I realise it can be possible to practice all eight limbs of yoga whilst being fully engaged with young kids, parents, friends and everyone I come into contact with.  In fact yoga can enhance all those other aspects of life, and it is wonderful and sometimes very challenging to weave ALL aspects of yoga into your own busy life.

I like to think of my everyday life as a busy market place, a hustle and bustle of activity, dashing from one place to the next, preparing meals, planning classes, studying etc. But then when I am doing my own yoga practice, it feels like time out from the rat race.  It feels like a trip away from 'it all' - like a peaceful journey to the mountain top, returning fully refreshed and invigorated ready to take on the world once again.  The yoga practice also serves as a regular reminder to live a yogic lifestyle whilst in the busy market place of our lives.  To engage fully with our kids and our friends and family, to allow and cope effectively with changes and fluctuations in our lives, knowing that we have the relevant tools to deal with stressful situations.

So your little trip to the mountain top may be the sanctuary of a busy city centre yoga studio, it may be your local church hall yoga class, or maybe it is your self practice in your own garden or living room.  Wherever your yoga space is and whatever form your yoga takes, perhaps gentle pranayama and long deep postures, or invigorating and challenging dynamic yoga, it can enhance and enrich your life and shows us the importance of taking time out - even if sometimes it is only 10 minutes a day.......

The Eight Limbs of Yoga

1. yama: moral and ethical restraints - social discipline
2. niyama: observances - individual discipline
3. asana: posture, seat
4. pranayama: control of the life-energy through breath
5. pratyahara: mind withdrawal from senses
6. dharana: concentration
7. dhyana: meditation
8. Samadhi: superconciousness or union with the Divine

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