Deepen Your Practice Off The Mat

How to practice yoga off the mat?

Yoga is more than an exercise for many of its practitioners, but what does that mean exactly? How does the practice of yoga extend out of the classroom and reveal itself in our relationships with ourselves and those we love? Many of us who practice yoga love the physical benefits of asana.

Not to mention, the synchronization between movement and breath can be enough to put anyone in a state of blissful relaxation. It is important to note that the practice of asana (or posture), is only one small part of an entire spectrum of yogic practices. 

Living Yoga Everyday

Using the 8 limbs of yoga, a yogi can deepen their practice off the mat and gain access to a more joyful and fulfilling lifestyle. The 8 limbs of yoga are; Yamas (relationships with others), Niyamas (relationships with one’s self), asana (physical posture), pranayama (breathing), Pratyahara (sense withdrawal), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (self-realization). 

Yamas and Niyamas are the yogi’s guiding principles in relating to the world as a whole and are normally practiced on and off the yoga mat. When getting on our mat is not as easy, a yogic can deepen their yoga practice by continuing to exercise Yamas and Niyamas in their lifestyle. 

Yamas:  

1. Ahimsa (non-violence) is the practice of being kind to yourself and others. While we know not to inflict harm on others, we must also not harm ourselves by engaging in negative self-talk, comparison, lack of personal boundaries, and the inability to say ‘No’. 
2. Satya (truthfulness) is the practice of being honest in all words and actions. 
3. Asteya (non-stealing) of physical items, others ideas and work. 
4. Brahmacharya (conservation of energy) helps us direct our energy away from external desires and, instead, towards peace and happiness within ourselves.
5. Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) is the practice of not attaching self-worth, happiness or contentment with items. 

Niyamas:

1. Shaucha (purification) is to think good positive thoughts and keep our person and area organized and clean. 
2. Samtosha (contentment) is the practice of being happy with what we have and practicing inner joy from spiritual wisdom. Remembering that happiness is not acquired by material things. Contentment is the ultimate joy. 
3. Tapas (heat) is to maintain self-discipline. Tapas teaches us that all things change in the presents of self-accountability and consistency. 
4. Svadhyaya (self-study) teaches us that knowledge and growth is self-initiated. Self-study is the remover of obstacles. 
5. Ishvara Pranidhana (devotion) is to surrender to the soul. First, you surrender to the teacher, then to his teachings. 

Yoga can be practiced at any time and any progress we make physically is only a small part of the yoga experience. By becoming more aware, we can cultivate a life that serves us better by being kinder to ourselves and others.