Are We Living Up to Our Yogic Potential

There is the famous saying that we only use 5% of our brain. If you watch television, listen to talk radio, or overhear people in grocery lines, you probably feel that this is still far too generous an estimate.

Yet as smart as we think we are or as dumb as we may actually be, there is still another shocking fact you should consider: Most people only practice about 20% of Yoga. Yes, this is true. You are missing out on 80% of yoga along with 95% of your brain.

The type of yoga most people in America practice is some form of Hatha Yoga that is often distinguished by its reliance on the body to create a wholeness of the self. In fact, most people think of yoga as being purely the movement and postures of the body - what we call asanas. Go to many yoga classes, talk with many teachers, read many yoga books, and you will discover an almost all consuming concern with the shape you can get your body into. This is important of course, Very important. However the asanas (postures) in yoga go far beyond the superficial nature of stretching, toning, and strengthening. They are the fundamental building blocks of a holistic, energetic transformation that completely recreates the individual.

Yet at best, the asanas and postures are only 20% of yoga (and Hatha Yoga at that). The second 20% is the breath - pranayama. While it may begin as something as simple as learning to breathe properly while performing a posture, pranayama is a science much more vast than asana. Through pranayama practices, you begin to realize the significant effects of a yoga practice - emotional balance, improved glandular functioning, radiant health, awakening of consciousness, and ultimately control over the entire energetic being of your self. It is much harder work than asanas and many beginning yoga students do not have the patience, focus, or nervous systems ready to fully practice or appreciate the power of pranayama. But hopefully you will have a yoga teacher who will gently nudge you there.

The third 20% is considered to be the most potent practice of Hatha Yoga - mudras. Mudras are energetic seals performed by the hands and fingers, as well as muscular body locks (called bandhas) and directed gazes (dhristi). Mudras and bandhas direct the flow of healing energy through the body while transforming the consciousness. To me it is unthinkable that someone would practice yoga without knowledge of mudras and bandhas. Along with asanas and pranayama, they are the third pillar of all Hatha Yoga practices. They are powerful, simple, and prevalent in all authentic yoga practices.

The fourth part is mantra or sacred sound. Mantra was the first yoga technique ever recorded or taught, well before asanas and pranayama. Mantra has always been known by yogis to be the most powerful tool that you can use in all the practices of yoga. It would have been unthinkable to perform a posture or breathing exercise over the thousands of years that yoga has been taught without the use of spoken or silent mantra. Yet some students refuse to come to a yoga class where mantra may be used. Mantra remains the hidden treasure for most yoga students to discover.

The last part that gives us the 100% yoga experience is meditation. It seems obvious, but is often overlooked. The other 80% of yoga - asanas, pranayama, mudras and mantra - are all directed toward this final 20% meditative experience. It is truly what yoga is all about. As American yoga teachers and students, our challenge is to use this aspect of practice to realize the state of union guaranteed by yoga.

As you go through your classes at Naturally Yoga, I invite you to try different teachers and styles of yoga as you are ready to explore the other 80% of yoga. Many of our teachers are ready to share this part of the practice with you as soon as you are willing to participate.

Om Shanti, Shiva