How to be well

Yoga isn’t really about health but being healthy is implied because to be “yoga”, ie to be living as a yogi, you have to be well. Otherwise you’re off balance, distracted and / or lacking energy, and the goal of yoga – stillness leading to enlightenment – is lost.

So laying the foundations of a healthy life is a pre-requisite for being a yogi.

The yoga approach is one of balance. In yoga we talk about balancing the nadis (energy channels), specifically the ida channel, which, at its worst, is lethargy & dissociation, and the pingala channel which, at its worst, is distraction & agitation. The balance point is the sushumna, or central channel, where our energy is balanced. We are neither too sleepy nor too distracted to meditate. We have the prana (energy) and focus to wake up our chakras and focus inwardly.

We also talk about balancing the gunas, or tendencies of nature. Like the nadis, they consist of tamas which again is apathetic, lethargic, and dark, rajas which is restless, active and fiery, and sattva which is balanced, pure & peaceful.

The first key to yoga is then an honest assessment of what knocks you off balance.

This might be a recurring injury that puts you into pain. Trouble sleeping. Digestive issues. A stressful lifestyle. Addiction. A boring job. Low self-esteem. Short attention span. Trauma. Family issues, Lack of purpose.

There are many reasons why we’re off balance but they either centre around draining our energy & resources, or around distracting us or making us angry or fearful.

Start journaling and start noticing the things that are taking you away from a life of calm wellness. Are you more lethargic than energised? Are you continually stressed and unable to relax?

Then make changes to bring your life back into balance. If your digestive system is off try balancing the autonomic nervous system – in other words, reduce stress, and / or build your energy, If you’re continually stressed, remove the stressors – declutter, make an honest appraisal of your relationships, what’s making you angry and why? If you’re lethargic and lacking motivation think about purpose, lifestyle (are the foods you’re eating not giving enough energy?), try cold showers & exercise.

Start asking the same question of all areas of my life. Does it make me feel balanced and calm? Does it deplete me? Does it make me stressed? And then adjust accordingly.

Start with the superficial things that are easy to change like the environment you live in, the food you eat, lifestyle choices, posture, and time / energy management. Then move to the deeper issues like family history, habits, unconscious behaviours and trauma. These are all the ways life has knocked you off your soul’s path, which is revealed only when you are you, in the truest sense of the word, and living in peace and harmony.

This is yoga off the mat. This is what it is to be a yogi.