Om_Yoga_Magazine__November_2017

om body

longer period of time, a new layer of effects
is discovered. In our daily life, our inner
attitudes and experiences are reflected in
the position of our physical body and how
we hold ourselves in various contexts. The
same thing in a sense happens in a reversed
order in the practice of asanas: every position
we put our body in induces a specific inner
feeling or perspective. By focusing on this
we can enrich our inner universe, and even
gradually transform the way we feel on a day-
to-day basis – for the better. Each posture
is in fact connected to the activation of one,
or sometimes two or three, of the chakras –
and knowledge of the chakras will turn our
knowledge of different yoga postures into
a toolbox for personal development. If we
feel we need more love or more courage or
more stability in our lives, we will know exactly
what chakra that belongs to and thus what

postures to practice in order to make it a

lasting reality and greatly transform our lives

for the better.

Soulful living

It was during an asana practice with

deepened awareness that I had the

incredible experience I started this article

with. It was the first of its kind for me and

admittedly came after years of practice.

Until then, what kept me practicing were the

many benefits I discovered as a result of my

yoga practice – including off the mat. From

being a rather moody person I became more

optimistic and balanced, I became clearer on

my priorities in life and felt more and more

in touch with myself.

Now, I have to admit, what keeps me

practicing are those states of consciousness

that make me discover myself and life in new

ways and that keeps every day fresh and

alive. They become more and more frequent

and the background of my life experience is

a silent unity. You might call it soulful living.

In conclusion, yoga approached in a more

meditative state – especially when combined

with pranayama and meditation techniques

• will gradually lead us beyond the
  turmoil of our thoughts and allow us clear
  perceptions of a deeper layer of ourselves.
  We will discover an inner voice and guidance
  beyond rational thinking, and the feeling of
  an inner centre that leaves us more stable
  and balanced in the face of life’s challenges.
  We will begin to live in the land of the
  present moment, where blissful happiness is
  our natural way of being.

Maria Porsfelt is a yoga and tantra teacher

at Tara Yoga Centre (tarayogacentre.co.uk)