The "Purpose of Yoga", according to my younger self

I was looking through old files, trying to clean up my computer a bit, when I stumbled across an essay I wrote about 4 years ago. It was titled "The Purpose of Yoga". I believe I wrote it as part of a homework assignment for my first 200 hour vinyasa yoga teacher training with DimitraYoga (located in Lewes, DE). It kind of amazed me that not only do I still believe in everything I wrote, but I understand it on an even deeper level than I could have possibly imagined at the time.

Here is what a young & eager yoga-teacher-in-training thinks about the purpose of yoga.

"What is the purpose of yoga? There are so many different ways to answer this question, it’s daunting for an over-thinker like myself. So, I’ll start with the purpose of my yoga, which is to cultivate a practice that challenges me, keeps me growing and keeps me self-loving. It serves it’s purpose to me by constantly nudging me to question my “why”, to keep reaching higher and even deeper inward. It teaches me to keep pushing forward, for there is always more to learn. It teaches you to pick yourself back up when you’ve fallen, and it teaches you to do this for yourself. Yoga’s purpose is to turn your entire world into what it was meant to be all along. The path of a yogi is long, and you will eventually trip flat on your face over every single obstacle. (really making it sound so wonderful here, aren’t I?)

Following the path of yoga is also one the most beautiful experiences you can have in this world. If you allow it, it changes you into a clearer, more joyful version of yourself. It’s purpose is to make you fall in love with every part of yourself, and through this journey to self-love, you learn to extend this love to everyone around you. Not because you have to, because you want to. Yoga tears you apart, only to then build you back up, stronger than you ever were before. The purpose of yoga is to simplify your life, bring you an internal peace and joy, that will never leave you. It challenges all of your worldly views and makes you face every fear, even the ones hiding, dusty, in a dark corner of your soul. If you let it, you will eventually over-come every fear and doubt you have about yourself and this world. You will know, unquestionably, the ultimate truths.

I also believe another purpose of yoga is to bring us to an idea of deeper connection. Connection to each other, to the Earth, to energies we can’t see but somehow always feel. Besides connecting you to the divine within yourself and inevitably others, it teaches you how to cultivate a life of health and joy. Through self- discipline and meditation, you learn to take the best care of yourself, so that you can also take the best care of others around you. It also doesn’t hurt that having a strong physical practice keeps you physically fit, while teaching you to love and accept your body for what it is. 'I regret going to yoga today'- said no body, ever (somewhere on pinterest board). Not once have I ever walked out of yoga not feeling better, not having learned something, or at the very least, prepared to tackle the day ahead. To summarize all of these disorganized thoughts on yoga’s purpose, the 'purpose' of yoga, for me, is finding balance, learning how to get out of your own way, letting your best self free, finding a way to stay there, and sharing your experiences with others."

Thoughts? Send them my way- XO Kari