by Sue E

Created on: January 23, 2009   Last Updated: January 25, 2009

Yoga is a spiritual discipline at its core. Yoga means 'Union'. Ancient texts have interpreted it as the journey to "Union with the Divine". It provides an outlet to express the divinity that's already present in everyone. To experience one's personal spirituality with yoga, nothing special needs to be done. Just experiencing the calmness and relaxation when practicing yoga is enough to make it a spiritual experience.

Defining Spirituality

Spirit is the part of being human that is non-physical, perfect and God-like. On a more earthly level, everyday spirituality is leading a life that is stress free, abundant, healthy and happy. Furthermore, spiritual means of pure heart with a secure relationship with the Divine, no matter what religion is followed. Eastern religions call God - "All That Is" - which means that there is nothing that is not God, including every human being, animal, plant and every living and non-living organism.

The Breath of Life

It may not be immediately apparent how a series of physical exercises can be related to spirituality. Yoga does not affect a person's physical body alone. Traditional yoga involves appropriate breathing, chanting and meditation, in addition to physical exercises. The goal of yoga is to increase divinity in a person. Physical postures make the body strong and resistant to disease, while promoting the immune system. A healthy mind in a healthy body is a popular saying. Breathing and chanting change the energy field of the body to make the mind pure and calm.

Breathing is a very important aspect of one's yoga practice. 'Prana' or 'divine life force' can also loosely translated to breath. Yoga is also the practice of bringing the body, mind and the soul together. A real yogi's thoughts are pure and devoid of negative emotions, anger and jealousy. The relaxation brought forth by a good yoga practice, makes it easy for the mind to contemplate and comprehend the divine.

Super Natural Powers

In addition, advanced yogic postures and breathing exercises, practiced over a long period of time, could awaken the kundalini or energy symbolized by the coiled serpent, which is said to confer great powers on an individual. Yogis, that have practiced meditation for several years, are said to be able to possess spiritual and psychic powers.

How is Yoga Spiritual and not other Physical Exercises?

Most physical fitness oriented exercises are goal-oriented. Abdominal crunches are popular only because of the promise of a flat belly, not the joy of doing crunches. On the other hand, Yoga is a joy-filled journey, not a destination. Yoga practitioners enjoy, pause and contemplate, sometimes by keeping the mind devoid of thought, sometimes focusing on the breath, sometimes losing their consciousness of the physical to transcend into something bigger than their own existence or experiencing the spiritual. However, the spiritual experience is not something that is striven to achieve with great effort. Spirituality is a natural by-product of letting the body flow effortlessly into the genius thats Yoga. Every yoga moment is a spiritual moment.

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