Why Yoga?

Why Do Yoga? Reclaiming a Practice Beyond the Poses

When most people think of yoga, they picture someone twisted into a pretzel, balancing on one finger, or standing on their head. That image is not only intimidating—it's also misleading.

Yoga isn’t about how far you can bend or how long you can balance. It’s not about mastering impossible poses. At its core, yoga is a practice of connection—of tuning into yourself. While movement is one part of yoga, it’s actually one of the smallest. Yoga is far more than just exercise.

The Roots of Yoga: A Spiritual Foundation

Yoga originated as a spiritual practice rooted in Hinduism. From the beginning, it has been a path toward self-realization and inner peace. While physical poses (asana) are the most recognized aspect in the West, they are only one part of a much larger system.

Traditionally, yoga is described as having eight limbs, each offering a step on the journey toward wholeness:

1. Yama – Ethical principles
   
   

2. Niyama – Personal disciplines
   
   

3. Asana – Physical postures
   
   

4. Pranayama – Breath control
   
   

5. Pratyahara – Withdrawal of the senses
   
   

6. Dharana – Focused concentration
   
   

7. Dhyana – Meditation
   
   

8. Samadhi – Union with the Divine or blissful awareness
   
   

These eight limbs are often confused with the “seven legs” that support everyday life:

• Asana (movement)
  
  

• Pranayama (breathwork)
  
  

• Shavasana (relaxation)
  
  

• Dharana (focus)
  
  

• Dhyana (meditation)
  
  

• Yamas and Niyamas (guiding philosophies)
  
  

• Karma (selfless service)
  
  

Together, these aspects create a comprehensive system for living a conscious, meaningful life.

So Many Yogas, So Many Paths

Yoga isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are many styles, each emphasizing different elements of the practice. Some popular forms include:

• Hatha Yoga
  
  

• Vinyasa Flow
  
  

• Yin Yoga
  
  

• Restorative Yoga
  
  

• Ashtanga
  
  

• Kundalini
  
  

• Bikram
  
  

• Power Yoga
  
  

• Tantra
  
  

• Chair Yoga
  
  

• Laughter Yoga
  
  

And more appear every day.

Despite their differences, all styles share a common goal: to unite. They aim to harmonize body and breath, mind and body, individual and universe. At the heart of it, yoga helps us return to our true nature—peaceful, whole, and free.

Simple, Practical, Transformative

One of yoga’s most powerful principles is also its most accessible: uniting breath with movement. This might sound “woo-woo,” but it’s actually quite simple. For instance, you breathe in as you raise your arms, and breathe out as you lower them. That’s yoga. It’s a form of moving meditation that keeps us calm, grounded, and present.

It also helps us avoid injury by encouraging awareness of how our bodies feel in the moment. Instead of pushing ourselves too far, yoga teaches us to listen, soften, and respond gently.

Why I Keep Coming Back to Yoga

Through my own yogic studies, I’ve explored many philosophies, disciplines, and practices. But the reason I continue doing yoga is simple: it helps me. It eases my stress. It reconnects me with my body. It gives me space to slow down, disconnect from the noise of the world, and do something just for me.

Yoga helps me sleep better. I experience less physical discomfort because I stretch and move more mindfully. But even more important, I feel more at ease in who I am—as a person who is whole, enough, and complete.