Yoga and Philosophy

Laurel Willis- H02

        Yoga is a practice that has been around for centuries. The practice, or habit, of yoga involves physical contortion, mindfulness, and breathwork. Many people use yoga as a tool to harmonize the mind, body, and spirit. The word Yoga comes from a translation of the Sanskrit phrase, “to yoke”. To “yoke” an animal is to harness them to another animal/machine in order for them to complete labor. This relates to Yoga because the practice is intended to unite those who participate and prepare them for daily life.

          The great thing about yoga is that it is all about YOU. In today’s world, it is easy to feel like we are pulled in every single direction by forces that we cannot control. As Kurt Anderson described in Fantasyland, many Americans have been conditioned to deny reality, seek pleasure, and follow their dreams. This concept of the “American Dream” is based on the idea that working hard and contributing to society will make you happy. This dream itself has nothing to do with our own ambitions, but the ambitions of the society we grew up in. From a young age, we are put into schools that teach us generic rules on how to think, how to act, and what to know. Children and teenagers now have access to social media which will either elicit or inhibit their individuality. School, internet, and work occupy so much of our “personal” lives, yet we are barely even connected to them. Yoga can be used as a tool to reconnect with yourself on every level.

     Physically, yoga provides stimulation and relaxation. Because you are in a safe space and resting intentionally, your body relaxes during yoga. Yoga has been shown to activate the parasympathetic nervous system which facilitates our ability to “Rest and Digest”.

        In layman's terms, the nervous system shifts from “what is gonna hurt us?” to “we are safe here”.  As a result, you can expect your mind to feel clearer and your body to feel better. Of course, practicing consistently is encouraged for maximum results. 

The psychological benefits of yoga are extensive and vary from person to person because everyone has different intentions. Research shows that many yogis in the east practice for religious or spiritual reasons while many yogis in the west practice for fitness and health. While that finding may be interesting, I do not personally believe it is extremely relevant. It may be more important to focus on the common ground that all yoga practitioners meet on. There are two things that almost every yogi has in common: they are human and they are trying to be better. The primary motivating force for those who practice yoga is a desire to optimize their existence or live a better life. 

I like to believe that our old friend, William James, might have been a yogi himself if he were alive today. James spent many years contemplating identity and consciousness. Consequently, he published his theory of self. In his theory, James proposes that there are two parts to “the self”: the “me” and the “I”. “Me” is the part that others can see or sense. “I” is the part that only the individual knows. In order for a task to be completed, “I” decides what to do and then “me” acts it out.  The “me” part can be further divided into the social self, the material self, and the spiritual self. 

If we neglect any one part of our self,  we are not living in balance. This imbalance can lead to some pretty detrimental consequences if we leave it be. Americans generally live a high-stress lifestyle. Stress is a silent killer that can lead to pain, injury, mental health issues, emotional outbursts, and dangerous habits. In our society, we need to prioritize preventative health care and intentional relaxation time more than ever. Although achieving your desired goal is not guaranteed, I believe William James would encourage those who are seeking a positive change to try yoga.

 

       Another particular connection that I made between yoga and William James was the correlation between the heart chakra and WJ’s concept of the binnenleben. The previously linked article cites a lecture by WJ titled, “The Will to Believe”. In this lecture, James states, “the deepest thing in our nature is this Binnenleben, this dumb region of the heart in which we dwell alone with our willingnesses and unwillingnesses, our faiths and fears.” In comparison, the heart chakra is believed to be the center of love and connection. Below, I have dropped some poses that could serve to benefit your heart chakra and 

       some of the associations listed in the blog that I linked directly above.

    In conclusion, Yoga can be used as a tool to heal, get fit, connect with spirit, or as an outlet. If you have ever considered implementing this practice into your life, I encourage you to try it out. Set some time aside and check in with yourself. Sit down in the lotus position and just breathe. Reflect on how you feel. How does your body feel? Are you in the right headspace? 

Keep your mind open. Allow thoughts to enter your head, but do not allow them to linger if they are not serving you.

p.s. here is a meditation that has personally benefitted me...

give it a listen if you feel inclined.