by Rhonda Sheryl Lipstein

Created on: February 02, 2009

Yoga is a combination of physical movement and breathing. Ahhhh, Breathing! Speak to any "spiritual", self development, self help guru and they will tell you the fast lane to attaining spiritual serenity is meditation. Ahhhh, Meditation! The corner stone of meditation is focus on one's BREATH! Connection happening, synapses firing, it's all starting to make such wonderful sense.

Yoga is in and of itself a "spiritual" or self enlightenment practise. It gives one the opportunity to spend "quality" time with self. Quality time, because each movement through Yoga is one of intentional awareness. Yoga is a physical activity of slow, concentrated movements, moving with and through the breath as we do our bodies. Each movement is preceeded by an inhale and concluded with an exhale. The practise of Yoga itself requires one's attentive concentration to and of SELF. In so much, Yoga is a form or moving meditation and thus a direct pathway to self enlightenment or "personal spirituality".

Spirituality in and of itself connotes many a definition. As spoken to herein, it reflects our inner connection with our higher self, or enlightened self of LOVE as opposed to Fear. It is getting in touch with the aspect of SELF that is of the experience of uncondtional love for self and all others, and thus enlightening, personally.

The mere fact that one is taking time for Self is a spiritually uplifting personal experience. The fact that one is so doing through a calming and complete experience as is Yoga, in that it touches our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual beingness is of the highest form of enhancing one's personal spirituality. Of course, this also depends upon how one approaches the art of Yoga itself. If using yoga as no more than a means of physical strengthening, it is likey that one may rapidly transition from one pose to the next, without much attention to awareness, body or mind. Though the mere practise of yoga in and of itself shall enhance one's personal spirituality, not to mention the fantastic toning and stretching it provides one's physique, to truly garner the most yoga offers, is to pay attention, be aware and be careful through out each and every pose afforded one through the practise of yoga.

Paying attention to our body's appropriate alignment, being aware of our breath as we inhale and exhale and when we so do, and being careful to ensure all is paid attention to whilst so engaging is truly making the most of your yoga and thus personal spiritual experience.

As with anything in life, it is an individual experience and thus left to each to decide exactly what they want to put into and thus get out of yoga.

Definitely of all physical conditioning exercises available, yoga is amongst the best to align one's self with their personal spirituality.

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