Yoga: My Way of Life

I’ve practiced yoga my whole life. Here’s what I’ve learned, how I’ve benefited, and why nothing is stopping you from starting too.

Sweta Upadhyay
Aug 26, 2017 · 6 min read

I grew up in a family where everyone practiced yoga and meditation. However, as a child, I couldn’t understand their importance and just found them boring. I was always looking for excuses to skip my practice. My wise mother would coax me into doing it by offering extra pocket money or a treat. So as a child, I did yoga just for the perks!

My mother was very patient, and we would do asanas (yoga poses) together on most days. She would tell me that she could not do a particular asana and ask me if I could and teach it to her. So just to show off, I’d do those asanas.

Realizing What I’d Been Given

While most people struggle with the transition to adulthood, thanks to my having an established yoga practice, I passed through this stage with relative ease.

It was during this period that I finally started to notice evidence of yoga’s benefits. While most of my classmates had developed hormonal imbalances leading to bad skin or obesity, I had a radiating skin and no weight issues. It occurred to me that though I may not have liked doing yoga as a child, I was reaping the fruits of my years of diligent practice.

In my later teens, I enrolled in the teacher training program at The Art of Living Center in Bangalore. My teacher would keep reminding us, “Sthiram sukham asanam (Your asana should be steady and enjoyable.)” Initially, holding even the easiest of asanas seemed difficult! After a few days, I went beyond the pain and started relishing every pose.

I learned that while pain is inevitable, suffering is optional. Pain is in the body, but suffering is in the mind. The program gave me an entirely new perspective and I started enjoying it.

The Purpose of Yoga

Asana prepare the body and mind for something higher. The purpose of yoga is to lead one to samadhi (enlightenment). Yoga is needed to make the mind elastic — not just the body. Meditation is much easier once the body-mind complex has been prepared sufficiently.

“Yoga is not just exercise and asanas. It is the emotional integration and spiritual elevation with a touch of mystic element, which gives you a glimpse of something beyond all imagination.” ~ H. H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Yogic practices help one calm, focus, and tap into the immense potential of the mind while enjoying the perks of a fit and flexible body. The mind learns to be happy — a much-needed thing in today’s world where depression runs rife.

Every asana that I do is as if I am preparing myself to slip into meditation. As a result, I can sit still in meditation for an hour without moving an inch. After every practice session, I feel so blissful and so positive about life.

Yoga’s Social and Emotional Benefits

Below are just some of the ways yoga has benefited me in terms of my emotional well being and how it affects me socially.

  • Happiness: I am not shaken by unfavorable situations or circumstances. I do not need to indulge in drinking, smoking, or other unhealthy practices to be happy. I don’t have to look for happiness outside — I know it’s within. Faith has come to me through yoga. It helps me live life as an expression of joy.
  • Empathy: In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna tells us, “Yogah karmasu kaushalam (Yoga is not just an exercise, it is how skillfully you can communicate and act in any given situation.)” Yoga and meditation made me better able to understand the feelings and needs of others. This makes me a better counselor and social worker.
  • Caring: Yoga nurtures our innate qualities of sharing and responsibility within us. I feel the need to do something for the world and people. I always have a feeling of how can I be of help to others. This urge in me led to my leading various social activities and projects.
  • Stability: Yoga has gifted me the upper hand over my emotions. I don’t claim to never experience negative emotions, but I can overcome them in less than fifteen minutes and return to being relaxed and calm. It feels powerful to be in control and channel emotions as needed. This inner strength gives me faith that within every dark cloud there is a silver lining. I know that whatever happens is for the best.
  • Presence: We convey more through our presence and vibes than words. Yoga and meditation helped me make my presence stronger. People often tell me that my vibes are soothing and it feels good to be with me.
  • Love: Only one who has love can give love. Yoga gave me high self-esteem and self-worth. I love myself, and that is how I can give love and have amazing personal relationships.

Yoga’s Lifestyle Benefits

As if the above weren’t reasons enough to continue with yoga, I have also greatly enjoyed the following fruits of my yoga practice.

  • Productivity: A calm and relaxed mind is more efficient than a stressed mind. I work as yoga and meditation teacher, a counselor and a jewelry designer. Yet, I get time to write, interact with friends and family, do social service and develop other hobbies. I am able to multitask effectively while feeling energetic through out the day.
  • Fitness: In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, it is written, “Heyam dukham anagatam (One should do yoga to prevent suffering before it arrives.)” I feel blessed to have a healthy body and active lifestyle as a result of my yogic practices. I don’t have to calculate calories like my contemporaries.
  • Creativity: I am into designing and handcrafting jewelry and garments. After yoga and meditation, my creativity is at its peak as the mind is clear and relaxed. I can think of new designs and new styles effortlessly. My mind is always bubbling with new ideas to implement.

Why Do I Still Do It

After all these years of practicing yoga, it’s as important as brushing my teeth. Some people say I am addicted to it. Well, all I have to say is, at least my addiction makes me a better person and has no harmful effects!

I became a teacher with The Art of Living Foundation nine years ago. Since then I have been teaching yoga to youngsters in India. I have been given the opportunity to impart my knowledge to thousands of youth belonging from both urban and rural backgrounds. I cannot express how rewarding this has been for me on every level.

Ready to Try Yoga?

Yoga not only makes one strong but also flexible. It burns body fat and reduces the body aches that result from other exercises. Also, you can do it anywhere and don’t need any special equipment or wear. You can do it home, on your chair at your office, or while on the subway!

I’m here for you if you have any questions. Namaste!

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Sweta Upadhyay

Written by

A counselor, yoga and meditation teacher and a jewelry designer. Love to empower youth. Dream of a world full of people with an unshakable smile.

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