What is yoga?  Ask this of anybody and you will get as many different answers as there are people.  The actual meaning of yoga and its overall intention would surprise even many long time practitioners.

Yoga is an ancient health science that teaches self-development and control of the mind.  With mastery, veils are removed that allow the alignment of the individual self and the universal divine.  This union is the ultimate goal of yoga.

The primary text that systematized the scientific method for taming the mind is the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.  These venerable scriptures were consolidated from long existing ideas and practices sometime between 5,000 B.C. and 300 A.D.

The science of yoga in these sutras is not theory.  For thousands of years, yogis have shown that sincere and consistent practice of the sutras over the course of many years results in complete metamorphosis.  On the path to the peace and joy that accompanies this transformation, many amazing physical, mental, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual benefits are achieved.

When some people hear that an awareness of union with the divine is the goal beyond all other benefits, they assume that yoga is a religion.  This is a misconception. However, the practice of yoga will strengthen your faith and devotion, whatever your belief.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali clearly discourage a religious take on its system for mental mastery.  Rather, it encourages practitioners to study the universal truths found in the scriptures of their own choosing and from their own traditions.  The practice of yoga requires no one to adopt new convictions or let go of their old beliefs.  Ultimately, the definition of the divine is also left up to the practitioner.

Undeniably, yoga is a spiritual practice that lends itself to any tradition that is based on universally held concepts.  The sutras teach that “Truth is one, paths are many.”  Yoga is a tool than can be taken on any path.  Acting as a tool, the diligent practice of yoga quiets the chatter of the mind and removes the shroud of the ego so that universal truths can be integrated and a divine connection experienced.

Aligning with the divine is perhaps best practiced and experienced in meditation.   When we sit to meditate, we hold an awareness of our authentic self as a divine individual within a human body and mind, and connection to that which remains constant beyond ourselves - the one universal divine.  When our thoughts drift, we notice, release judgment, and realign to this pure state.

Patanjali’s sutras stress that regular meditation is most fundamental to attaining the end goal of yoga.  Many people do not know that the physical postures, known as asanas, are ultimately practiced in order to learn to still the body, quiet the mind and properly align the spine (the major energy channel of the body) as preparation for meditation.  Persistent asana practice cultivates the ability to stay seated in physical, emotional, and mental stillness for extended periods of time, with ease.

Students often are drawn to the asana practice of yoga for the profound physical, mental, and emotional benefits it provides.  Many are not interested in meditating in order to unite with the divine.  That is perfectly o.k.  It is each individual’s choice whether or not they want to probe beyond the tip of the iceberg and experience yoga’s ultimate goal.  There is no attachment by teachers to why someone studies yoga. The journey is very personal.