How Practising Yoga Philosophies Can Enhance Your Whole Life

Yoga is more than just physical exercise; it extends to spirituality and philosophy, and learning to integrate these principles into your daily life to further your personal growth and development. This may sound complicated, but there are some simple ways to achieve this holistic approach to yoga. Here’s a closer look.

Learning to go with the flow

Ishvara Pranidhana refers to the belief that we can be guided by the universe’s higher wisdom, and by connecting with something greater than ourselves, we can find the strength and flow to navigate difficult paths in life. 

This process can be aided by mindful breathing techniques to help us connect to the present moment and relinquish the urge to control every aspect of our lives. Another way to remind ourselves of the greatness of the universe and the relative smallness of our problems is to spend time outdoors in inspiring landscapes, such as hills, coastal areas, or forests.

Self compassion

Many of us have a harsh inner voice that talks to us in a negative or overly judgemental way. Ahimsa is the yoga philosophy of non-violence, and this extends to our thoughts about ourselves and all other living things. During yoga practice, we can apply ahimsa by respecting what our bodies can achieve, and not pushing too hard and causing injury.

In everyday life, we can treat ourselves and others with greater levels of compassion and kindness. This might involve letting go of unrealistic expectations and appreciating what we can do; and learning to work with our natural personalities and abilities, rather than against them. 

When it comes to our interactions with others, ultimately ahimsa is about learning how to live without harmful thoughts so that we emit this harmonious energy to those around us, influencing their own state of being. In practice, this may mean looking for the good in everyone you encounter, even if these qualities are not immediately apparent. 

Truthfulness

Satya refers to living truthfully through our thoughts, deeds, and actions. This can lead to a greater depth of self awareness and better relationships with others and the world around us. It is much more than a childish ‘not telling lies’ mantra; it is rather the ability to look at situations objectively and not cloud them with our own biases or emotions.

This can bring us closer to our true essence and give us the courage to be honest with ourselves, even if this conflicts with our gut reactions. In our relationships, it can mean being honest about our motivations towards others, and if our expectations of them are truly in their best interest, or if we are trying to serve our own. 

These are just a few aspects of the philosophy of yoga, which is ultimately about looking for flow and harmony in everyday life as well as during physical exercise. This can help you to grow and develop as a person and live a life that is spiritually richer and more aligned with your best self.