Life Lessons You Can Learn from Practising Yoga

Sharon Moore April 02, 2014

Yoga has become one of the most popular mind-body practises today. Before, devoted yogis still had to travel to India or help organise their Master’s visit to experience its remarkable health benefits. But now, this ancient discipline can be practised almost anywhere – in fitness gyms, health clubs, yoga studios, recreation centres, parks, churches and at any place where people can throw down a mat. Most yoga practitioners agree that regularly practising it will lead us to a sense of peace and well-being.

You may have heard of the numerous physical and mental benefits of yoga. You probably know that it is great tool for alleviating stress, correcting body posture, clearing the mind from undesirable thoughts, establishing self-awareness, improving flexibility and strength, and so much more. But did you know that yoga also teaches us plenty of life lessons too? Such lessons are important because they help make our life more meaningful, strengthen our resilience, and guide us in the path towards a happier and healthier life.

So let’s begin.

There’s no wrong way to do things. In yoga, you don’t have to achieve the perfect pose your teacher portray in order to reap its amazing benefits. This applies to life as well. We all have different ways to do things. Just because we can’t get it right on our first try doesn’t mean we can never ever get it right. Life offers us so many options we often call ‘opportunities’. If you’re hurting yourself, that’s one thing. But beyond that, each of us has their own way of doing things in achieving a similar goal.

Life’s is much better when you have a support system. Have you tried the ‘inclined plane pose’? The backside of your body represents your support system. With them, you won’t just fall down. In life, you need a support system, which you normally find in friends, family and colleagues. These people can make your life easier. They can be there when you need them. When you know someone’s at your back, you won’t be afraid to move forward, take risks and chase your dreams and passion.

You’re stronger than what you think you are. Yoga teaches us to meet and greet every challenge. Many people easily give up, not knowing that they could have done it had they allow themselves to go through temporary discomfort. You might find it hard to do a pose, but overtime, as your body gets more adjusted and flexible, you will be surprised to notice that you are trying more advanced yogic poses – movements you never thought you could ever perform. Same thing applies to real life. As you get through each challenge, you become a braver and more resilient person that is capable of addressing greater adversities.

Life is not symmetrical. The left and right sides of our body are not equally strong and flexible. But that’s perfectly alright. In life, things aren’t symmetrical. They aren’t always the same. They aren’t always fair. Bearing this in mind gives you comfort during those times when life doesn’t seem to balance out.

What is important is the present. One of the major elements of yoga practise is awareness of the present. It teaches us to stay mindful and aware of what is happening at the very moment. Past events can never be changed. What was done has been done. Neither can you do something about the future. Only the present is important because right now, it is the only thing that exists.

It’s perfectly okay to do something just for you. Yoga time is every person’s ‘me time’. It is an opportunity to focus your sole attention to nothing else but your body. It’s a great practise for listening to your body, checking it, and making sure it is alright. In life, you can only be at your happiest when you treat yourself well. When you do, you will have enough energy and motivation to face the daily challenges you encounter.

Unplug to connect. In yoga sessions and retreats, students/participants are not allowed to use their phones or computers as these things keep them disconnected to their body and to the present moment. You probably spend most of your time reading work emails and checking notifications and status updates on your social media account that you almost forget to give yourself a little downtime. Practising yoga reminds you of the importance of digital detox. Unplugging can restore your mind and give your brain a break from the overstimulation that comes from our technology-driven culture. Instead, it allows you to interact with nature, which has the ability to uplift your mind, body and spirit, give you sense of peace and well-being, and increase your happiness.

Breathe right. Proper breathing is at the core of yoga practise. Breathing does not only transport oxygen in our body. It also serves as an anchor that keeps us focused on the present moment. During meditative or yogic sessions, focusing on your breathing is one sure-fire way to restore your awareness especially during moments when you are getting caught up in thoughts. Breathing is also a powerful way to manage your emotions, which is crucial if you ever want to live life in the best way you can. Numerous studies show that people who manage their emotions well are better at dealing with others, have higher self-esteem, and less likely to suffer from mental health issues such as depression.

Mind and body works together. Yoga is a great proof that mind-body connection does really exists. It tells us that the body holds tension and concentrates emotions in different parts of our physical self. Working on that tension gives us access to our emotions, and allows us to better understand and embrace what is happening in our body. Practising yoga teaches us that our body can influence the way we think just as our mind influences that way we act and behave.

Practising yoga is one of the best things you can do for your mind and body. But apart from its health benefits, yoga also teaches us important lessons that can significantly improve our quality of life.