As Long As You Are Practicing Yoga, You May As Well Self-Realize

Yoga's a journey of/to self-realization. Better amend that...

Yoga can be a journey to self-realization, if you choose to make it that way. And let's face it.

If you are going to the trouble of doing the practice, you may as well maximize your returns.

The physical practice of yoga (asana) is a great vehicle to attain self-realization.

It produces the range of emotions and feelings that need to be analyzed and processed, on the way to self-realization.

Here's a couple of examples, to get you thinking correctly about this...

Asana is tough physically.

This means that you need motivation, dedication and persistence to progress.

Asana can reward you physically.

Practicing asana can make you thin, healthy and strong. This is a huge ego boost. Unfortunately, ego must be dealt with, in order to self-realize.

This is a major milestone on the path to self-realization.

Asana can punish you physically.

Having to deal with injuries and setbacks is just plain character building.

Asana is a mental challenge.

Hanging around in an uncomfortable position is counter-intuitive.

This is great if you can make the connection between an uncomfortable pose, and situations in life that are uncomfortable, but which you deal with, by facing and not running.

Mental fortitude is one of yoga's greatest gifts.


Nearly everything you need to self-realize is present in the physical practice of yoga. Not only that, it's easy to do. Here's how...

Move, hold, breathe, focus, lengthen, soften.

CU in class self-realizing, J.