I believe we collectively have the choice to bring great energy, healing and balance into the world. Yoga is one way to travel down this path. Are you looking for ways to explore your spirituality through yoga?
In this blog I’ll take you though 5 steps to help you connect your spiritual and yoga practice together. We’ll create a beautiful holistically healing yoga practice, positive energy and balance not only for yourself but your world around you.
It doesn’t have to take too much time by the way. It’s more about the intention and clarity you have in your practice. When you practice yoga and spiritual yoga poses, ultimately you will be connecting with more than just your physical body.
Many people unintentionally discover their spirituality through yoga and find their yoga practice evolves into a spiritual practice as opposed to physical exercise. The reason for this is we are way more than a physical body. When we consider who we really are, our yoga practice can bring us closer to elements of ourselves which in a busy and noisy world can be left unheard. As we connect to these subtle parts of ourselves which the ancient yogis discovered thousands of years ago, we can begin to understand ourselves from a more holistic perspective as opposed to a three dimensional physical being.
Many of my students already have a healing or spiritual practice whether this be meditation or reiki, a energy healing session or sound therapy that they often keep separate from their yoga practice.
In my teachings and classes I’ll show you how to merge the two together as they are effectively heading to the same destination. This prevents people from feeling like they have to choose one practice over another. It can make your yoga and spiritual practice more creative and fulfilling.
How to connect with divine energy through Yoga
For many years I have merged my yoga and spiritual practices together. I have played with connecting with divine energy (the feeling I have of being something more than a logical being; my inner knowing and intuition) in my my yoga, relaxation and meditation practices.
I want to break down what this means on a practical level. I am a practical person at heart and love my teachings to be grounded in everyday reality. This blog will help those looking for spiritual yoga for beginners as well as those who have practised yoga for many years.
Why we need to refill our own energy.
Re-energising yourself is a non-negotiable practice for those who give to others.
Many of my students work in the healing profession whether that be masseuses, healing practitioners, health and lifestyle coaches, community based servers and/or mothers. They are giving so much energy out everyday to help others. When we do this it is helpful for us to have a practice where we re-connect with our own energy to a practice which nurtures and re-energises us in order to be able to keep giving sustainably. When I have this practice in place I feel like I have endless energy to give. I can give it from a joyful heart. Sometimes this tips into feeling resentful and this is my indicator that I have given out too much of myself.
Let’s go through a few simple steps to get you started.
Are you familiar with the Koshas in Yoga?
In each and every yoga class you will be working with the more subtle energy you have as well as your physical body. Yes, we stretch, strengthen and create flexibility but yoga also helps to balance your emotions and calm a busy mind. Within Yogic Philosophy these subtle layers of energy are called Koshas. They are the different layers of our being which help us to explore our body, emotions, thoughts, deeper wisdom and our soul. Having access to these helps us navigate through life from a much wider and wise perspective.
1. Annamaya kosher – Physical layer.
As you start your yoga practice I’ll always invite you to scan through your body and notice how it feels. Is there a particular area that needs more care? Become aware of this and you will avoid unnecessary injuries. Your ego won’t need to push you in a way that is not safe for you on the day of your practice.
Being able to recognise our ego in our practice and continue in a loving way to ourselves is a great skill to have. We may hear “Oh just try and push that little bit more”, however when this creates pain we have succumbed to our ego which is not very helpful in our yoga practice. Instead listen to your body. Notice what feels good and learn how to challenge yourself so you benefit from this rather than create injuries.
2. Pranamaya Kosha -Vital Energy Layer.
Connecting to your breath is priceless. I say this because it is always there for us, it is free and it can help us to become calm and balanced within seconds with awareness. As you’ll know mind, body and breath move together in unison in our yoga practice. Yoga in itself means ‘unison’ of our mind, body and deeper spiritual self.
Our breath is like a navigation system to help us connect to our deeper wisdom. This happens because of the connection to our central nervous system. When we breathe with awareness and steady our breath it activates our nervous system.This either energises or relaxes us depending on the postures you are practising. Both systems ultimately bring us back into balance.
3. Manomaya Kosha – Mental Layer
Notice how you ‘feel’ throughout your yoga practice as you hold postures, as you enter a more relaxed and open space. We may notice emotions emerging that we had not thought about for a while. I can highly recommend acknowledging and inviting these emotions into your practice. Observe them, where do they exist within you body? Can you use your breath to bring a softness to it without any pressure for the feeling to be anything else? As you give permission for your emotions to be there there will be a softening and a release. This is what we mean by ‘letting go’. Observe, allow and release.
Visualisation is a wonderful tool to bring into your practice here. In my classes I’ll often bring in visualisation to help you to connect to your emotional layer. For example you may visualise the beautiful light of the sun pouring through you and energising your very deepest self. You may use your breath to release an emotion in a gentle and loving way. I love this creative process which can be used in your yoga practice. It’s one that I use in both my own practice and in my teaching.
4. Vijnanamaya Kosha – (Wisdom or awareness body).
As you process these emotions you may notice what thoughts come up in your practice. As you delve into your deeper layers you get closer to your inner wisdom. I experience this as a feeling of knowing or a perception that feels very whole. Take your time to observe and you will receive so much wisdom which you can use to guide your daily life.
A good exercise to do to connect to this layer is ask a question before your practice. As your mind quietens throughout your practice notice what wisdom comes to you. Often I receive ‘messages’ of wisdom and ways to address certain situations I am facing which I may need some assistance for. When this ‘comes through’ it is always from a place of unconditional love, which of course is one of the highest forms of vibration in our universe. As well as become the observer we can also become the creator here.
The use of affirmations is very powerful when incorporated with movement, breathe and intention. Consider you’re intention for your practice and create affirmations. Here’s a great blog by Jack Canfield ‘Daily Affirmations for Success’. to get you started if you are new to using affirmations.
Some examples that I may use are, “I am joyful and fulfilled today’ or I am feeling ……and open to receiving….. today”. You can also set these are reminders on your phone throughout the day to keep you connected to your intentions for the day.
Anandamaya Kosha (Blissful Layer)
As we move through the different koshas we eventually arrive at our blissful layer. This is the space within us where you feel connected to a ‘higher wisdom’. For me this place feels peaceful. I can receive answers for my questions and trust this guidance and wisdom to be for the greater good of all including myself. It’s the place typically where students arrive at the end of a yoga class. This is often described as ‘the best part of the class’ – relaxation.
This part of the class is so important as it is the time when your body will heal and re-balance itself and integrate the energy of the class. It’s a time to rest here knowing and trusting that your body, mind and spirit will do what they need to do as you relax and receive.
After relaxation Students will often say they feel like themselves again. It’s a feeling of wholeness. There is nothing to do here but be. Your energy and vitality will be restored. You’ll be connected to your deeper wisdom and your intentions will be sent out to the universe for your day, week, month or year.
Connect to your spirituality with these two lessons:
- For Soul Harmony Yoga Members head over to our Yoga for Confidence Online Yoga Video. You’ll find it in our Yoga for Emotional Balance and Self Care Course.
- If you’re not a member yet try our free Short Kosha Relaxation/Meditation
Try out our entire course library for US$14 per month you are warmly welcome to join our Monthly Membership . You are free to cancel at any time.
Drop me an email to have a chat about setting up your own home yoga practice. debs@soulharmonyyoga.org
Until then happy yoga journeying and I wish you all the best.
Namaste,
Debs
Start or continue your yoga and spiritual journey with Soul Harmony Yoga
Is this for you?
- Do you want a yoga class which is more physical exercise, specific alignment classes or a more holistic practice of the physical, relaxation and meditation together?
- Notice how you feel about the teacher of the classes – are they suited to what you are looking for. Check out our classes and see how they suit you.
- Where can you fit yoga into your weekly life and what do you need to help you do this – a class that you can attend or a more personal practice using online materials at home?
- Do you need a beginners home yoga practice? We have a beginners course where we teach in a 6 week course basic physical alignment, breathing in yoga and basic relaxation techniques
If you feel like you can relate to my journey and my style of teaching and would like to try out our classes I’ve created a four course Free Home Yoga Taster Classes so you can get a feel for my style of teaching. It is so important that you find a yoga style that suits what you are looking for rather than you trying to fit into something that doesn’t feel quite right.
I’m happy to reply to any questions you may have and have a chat about your own home yoga practice. My email is debs@soulharmonyyoga.org
Until then happy yoga journeying and I wish you all the best.
Namaste,
Debs