Yoga Day 2007

This past Saturday, the 27th, was Yoga Day. Did you know that? I did but I completely forgot. =/ But then I started to think Did I practice yoga and maybe just wasn't aware? Saturday was a tricky day as I spent of a part of in a shopping mall, yikes!

The truth about yoga is that it's more than just bendy twisty standing on one hand poses. That is just a part of it. Yoga is the practice of being in union with your body, mind and spirit. There are different ways this can be done. The Yoga Sutra teaches us that there are Eight Limbs to Yoga:

1)Yama : Universal morality
2)Niyama : Personal observances
3)Asanas : Body postures
4)Pranayama : Breathing exercises, and control of prana
5)Pratyahara : Control of the senses
6)Dharana : Concentration and cultivating inner perceptual awareness
7)Dhyana : Devotion, Meditation on the Divine
8)Samadhi : Union with the Divine

Each limb has an extensive breakdown which is nicely explained for us in this essay.

So maybe you weren't aware that last Saturday was Yoga Day and you didn't find yourself taking a class or practicing at home. Did you not harm yourself or others? Were you kind and friendly to others? Did you not lie to anyone? Pray or meditate? Maybe treated yourself to a nice healthy meal? Guess what? You DID do Yoga on Yoga Day 2007!