I have been stuck on the same pose in my Ashtanga practice since February. It’s the first pose in the practice that really requires upper body strength and it’s just not happening for me.

According to the Bhagavad Gita, “Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.” What is the self this is referring to? It is our ultimate, TRUE nature. Yoga connects us with our truth, and it is our duty to act in accordance with this truth every day.

Ahimsa is the first of Patanjali’s Yamas, or the Yogis’s ethical and moral guidelines towards society. Directly translated as “non-violence”, we can also understand Ahimsa to mean non-harm, compassion, mercy, peace, and love towards all beings. Patanjali called this practice of Ahimsa ‘Mahavrtam’, or the Great Vow which sincerely resides within the Yoga practitioner’s heart. Without Ahimsa, we cannot progress along the path of yoga.

When you think of the word ‘yoga,’ what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

It may be stretching, difficult poses, or flowing sequences, or maybe it’s tight pants, mats, or busy studios. But what is Yoga really about? This age-old practice that’s been around for thousands of years didn’t start with Lululemon, Instagram, or heated studios (believe it or not). The ancient Yogis weren’t balancing on one hand or putting their legs behind their heads. They didn’t wear expensive clothing or make funky playlists. So, what is Yoga, where did it come from, and how can we learn to live the yogic life in the 21st century?