Yoga means union, thus the symbol of a yoke which can give some people the wrong idea. It is not about any one philosophy or practice, but about using any methods, to intentionally release ourselves from the theater of duality, and know directly what religions only talk about.

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To me... yoga is a practice of embracing focused breathe and strength in motion. I strive to improve my practice and bring that improvement off the "yoga mat" and into my daily life... it truly centers me with 1 pure aspiration.

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To me yoga is my life energy. It gives me peace and touches my mind and spirit. It also plays a key role in my health. I love doing yoga and it has kept me young mentally, spirituality, and physically.

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For me Yoga is a spiritual science .

Mind is involved in almost all the diseases and ,therefore ,most of the diseases are psychosomatic in nature

Practising yoga is an excellent preventive measure. It increases immunity.It works as a tonic.

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to start the day with a smile and to keep fit inside out. 

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Yoga is a connection to the real self- my own true self and others' true selves.
Yoga is a means of expressing deeply felt emotion without the need for words.  It lifts the veil of judgement.
Yoga is the opportunity for a positive experience of community.

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Yoga is the beginning to me.  It is where I discovered physical and spiritual enlightenment and where I continue to do so.  It will be a part of my growth through out life.

Nemeste

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To me yoga is more then an exercise but a way of life. Yoga gives me the time to stop, clear my head, breathe, and just be.

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YOGA cannot stand alone.

YOGA___DIET___other conscious effort to Life.

Yoga is a portion of Who I am and Who I am becoming.

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whatever yoga we do in our times even as experts; wise men in previous ages used to start with that.
when yoga helps us in so many amazing ways, just imagine its power if we could us it to make more out of brains, or control the forces of nature around us, just have a thought. well some buddhist monks are really close to these wills.
meditation should be used in continuation with yoga.
for more info; goto www.divyayoga.com

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It's a while since I've been able to post on here for various reasons, but I've recently found myself working in a new city (Sheffield) and renting a place not five minutes from a dedicated Iyengar Yoga Centre.

I'd never tried this branch of yoga before. Indeed, it has mostly been a solitary activity that I do at home, so to find myself able to attend a class and learn from a teacher has been something of a revelation to me. I've been going for around 4 months now and it has benefitted me greatly.

Also, whilst home and off work this week, I sought out one of the daytime yoga classes at the gym I'm a member of. I'd attended a couple of them before, but was never really that impressed. However, the one I attended was described by the teacher as yin/yang yoga which is something I'd never heard of.

Which sort of brings me to the main purpose of my post here, which is to ask if anyone knows anything about this type of yoga, as a Google search didn't turn much up.

Thanks.

Tony

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So many people have asked me this... A What is Yoga? Workshop is hosted @ Green Monkey, A Balanced Living Company in Miami, FL on the second saturday of every month. The Green Monkey Tree House begin with a lecture explaining the origin, history, language, benefits, etc. and then follow with a beginner's yoga class. Instructors enjoy teaching "new monkeys" about yoga and what it means to them. To me, yoga means balance, wellness, peace & health.

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The first time I tried Yoga, I was extremely invigorated and tired ! It was one of the greatest experience in my life because I was getting to know myself from every angle: including the relationship with myself which needed some tune up ! I feel that praying and Yoga should be combine for the reasons that your body and soul are one: to explore and to be thankful for.

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I only begin  learning English and sorry for my mistakes. I do kundalini yoga for six month and after every exercise  I find and open for me something new. Yoga is my life. Yoga open my heart. Yoga teach to love.

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Yoga relaxes and energizes me all at the same time.  After I do yoga I feel like I've just had a massage.  I've been hearing about yoga journeys.  What is a yoga journey?

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Yoga is my livelyhood. I've been doing Hot Yoga now for 14yrs & it's a true passion in my life. I try to practice my deap breathing even while working or sitting at my desk. It helps keep me calm & focused on what I'm doing at that moment. Yoga has given me a core strength that I never knew I had before. We always underestimate ourselves. I'm learning to love myself through the yoga & to see my body just the way it is. No one can take away my peace. These things I have learned through the practice of hot yoga & I'm truely grateful.

Leah

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To me Yoga is a path to help me better understand myself and the world around me. It helps me make better choices as I connect more deeply with this experience called Life.

Namaste,

Angela

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Yoga to me is a way of healing, relaxing and exercise. I used to think it was just stretching. Now I am more balanced and relaxed. It heals me because I am so busy and the movements release pent up anxiety in my body. I also have some minor back problems that seem to just go away when I do yoga. Yoga makes me feel great and I am ready for the day.

Namaste

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To me ait is more than healing, it is a way of life, that I am trying to do and become. When I was in high school, a friend got me to try it.I am still limber, but I am still trying to become a vegetarian. I also think that it is a way of life as well. Has anyone taken the "What's Your Dosha" test? it's on Deepack Chopra's website-chopra.com and whatsyourdosha.com Both tests are realy good, and you learn a lot about yourself when you have taken the test.  

 Namaste Christine

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I am new to Yoga, I can only express what Yoga means to me from my experiences in doing it. I know their are many different types of Yoga and I really don't know the special name for my type of Yoga. I know Yoga is a sanskrit term which I believe means prana or breathe, I have learned to breathe properly with deep diaghram breathing rather than my chest breathe. Yes, the fight or flight breathing, and breathing through the nose - cool intake and warm exhale.

Bringing to life different areas of my body, as I breathe and massage to bring blood to those areas. I now through these exercises am able to get my socks on my feet - before I was unable too. I have several restrictions because of artritist in my fingers, wrists, elbows and shoulders. I partipate when I feel I can - when I can't I sit still and observe. I know that I should attempt to duplicate the instructor as closly as I can, that is if I can.

Yoga is for me in limitation, as my Doctor has told me that I just have to live with what I have. Yoga has given me a new hope for my improvement of my limitations. Yes, an improvement in my health.

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Yoga means "Union" or "to Yoke." Contrary to seemingly popular belief, Yoga is not "a religion," nor is it "just stretches," or just a "Form of Exercise." Yoga is an ancient philosophical, artistic, and scientific practice that is believed to have originated in India approximately 6,000 years ago. Yoga is for the balance and harmonization of the body, mind, and spirit. Traditionally, the physical aspects of yoga are practiced to put one’s body in the optimal condition for meditation, as well as to keep healthy and balanced over all. But mainly, Yoga is a state of being.

The above would be my formal answer. Personally, yoga has been my teacher and an inspiration. It has helped me to heal myself in many ways and to better my life.

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To me, Yoga is releasing the inner tensions in the mind, body and soul. ( Honestly, I'm not that sure, I'm just trying to sound smart=)

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It is only by awakening the kundalini that one can say in truth, that they have obtained any spiritual enlightenment. One must  go into deep meditation to obtain this.

 Namaste. Janet

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getting mind/body/soul be as one.  Honestly I am not sure.  Would like to learn  

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but yoga to me is clearing your heart and mind of all the outside stresses and worries.Freeing your mind,body ,and spirit to be completely one with the Godhead.Allowing the spirit to move through you to make you positive and pure.

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yoga is for me a way of life that can help me to achieve a wholesome relationship between body, mind and surrounding.

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It's a way of life that joins the physical and the spiritual. Valerie

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yoga -- yes, yoking.  union. 

in the simple sense, it's a union between the human self and the divine source from which everything comes.

in a deeper sense, there are yogas, high-energy spiritual practices, which can be undertaken to complete that process of union. ie, to be alive in a physical body but not limited by the normal consciousness but rather dissolved in the universal, divine consciousness.

these are more meditation practices, less about physical asanas.

there's a great line from the Bhagavad Gita, a kind of Bible in India, that says: "established in yoga, perform action."

in other words, "from the position of union with god, do your work.  then you really know it's god acting through you, not you yourself doing, thinking, being."

personally, I love that.

Alx

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"yoke" literally, doesn't it? It's a system to unify various energy vortices that make up what we "are"--the physical, astral, mental, layer cake that is the human form.

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healing

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Yoga is a phenomenon, and everyone who has an experience, has his own vision of it...

For me, Yoga is one more way for Meditation. It is a possibility to spread my attention in and out and at the same time  still have a deep feeling of my body.

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Union of Mind,Body & Spirit. 

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Yoga is being present.  What better way to be, be doing, be thinking, simply being? 

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Yoga as a word has many meanings depending on the context of its use.

It is a way of life, a path, not necessarily describing a particular type, style or method of attaining enlightenment.

We all have the path which is most suited by our consitution and character developed by our environmental experience. That which works for one may not be the best for another.

We can try to judge and value many styles, saying one is higher or lower inconsequential, in the Absolute they all lead to the same goal - the realization of being One.

Follow that which is true to you.

Love & light

t

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Just for clarification yoga is the linking up of the individual soul with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.  It is not a merger.  In reality the individual living beings and bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, are eternal.  The highest form of yoga, bhakti yoga revives the loving relationship between the two.  All other lower forms of yoga lead one gradually to the understanding of the need to surrender our will to the will of God.

When one surrenders their will they can begin the process of devotional service to the Lord.  Devotional service removes the anarthas (unwanted things) from the heart and mind and allows us to begin to see the spiritual side of life clearly. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna has many wonderful Names.  In this age, called kali (characterized by quarrel and ignorance) the easiest and most sublime meathod of reviving our Krishna consciousness is to say and hear the Names of the Absolute Truth, God. This is commonly called mantra meditation. This mantra Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare works well with other forms of yoga such as hatha, jnana, and karma.

I am new to this site and I feel blessed to have your association.

Gaura-mani das

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'Yoga' is a word of Sanskrit origin and means union or unification.

The question of union appears only in the event of separation of something from something. What are those two somethings which have separated from each other and, therefore, need to unite? Spirituality's answer to this is: they are 'atma' (individual soul) and 'paramatma' (the Supreme Soul i.e. the God). The soul is in fact an inseparable part of the God, can never be separated from it...it, however, appears to be separated because of some illusory veils that have come in between the two so that the soul is not able to see itself in its true form. The soul is, as a matter of fact, the God itself...they are one and the same, not different. But the veils of illusory entities like body, mind, ego etc. appear to create an illusion of separation, to make the soul forget its real nature.

Yoga means the unification or merger of the soul with the Supreme Soul, restoring the Soul to its true form. And all that we do to accomplish this yoga or unification (like meditation etc.) is, in fact, 'yogabhyasa' (practice or practices for effecting that unification), not yoga. So, meditation or the method of kundalini jagaran, or bhakti or karm are 'yogabhyasa', tools or ways to realise the yoga which is the goal or destination, that ultimate phenomenon where the Soul can see itself, can recognise itself, realise that 'It is That (God)'.

Much love & regards!

Pravesh

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Yoga means union occurring between the mind, body and spirit.
Yoga is a scientific system of physical and mental practices. Lot of people think that yoga is just stretching. It is really creating balance in the body through developing both flexibility and strength.

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yoga=unification

Every practice I do that am doing to reach my divine goal is yoga.

Examples:

Reading good books, night walk, swimming, fasting,  physical work, asanasas, early to bed, early wake, forgiveness, moderation, responsibility, sweet and smiling behavior, massage, selfless service, sacrifice, brahmacarii, silence, pranayama, meditation, singing about universal love, demonstrating, pure diet, cleanliness, satya (correct speaking), non-violence, simpleness. And more

It is not

Pilgrimage, Idol worshipping, External rituals or prayers, Talkativeness and more

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yoga=unification

Every practice I do that am doing to reach my divine goal is yoga.

Examples:

Reading good books, night walk, swimming, fasting,  physical work, asanasas, early to bed, early wake, forgiveness, moderation, responsibility, sweet and smiling behavior, massage, selfless service, sacrifice, brahmacarii, silence, pranayama, meditation, singing about universal love, demonstrating, pure diet, cleanliness, satya (correct speaking), non-violence, simpleness. And more

It is not

Pilgrimage, Idol worshipping, External rituals or prayers, Talkativeness and more

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Yoga sets my spirit free.My body is my temple and I treat it as such.
I study everyday and always learning something new.

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From: Care2 Groups: Yoga Journeys Mailing List [yoga_journeys-1176014-1271450@groups.care2.com] Sent: 7/16/2008 6:00:34 AM To: vk_gururani@care2.com Subject: [Yoga Journeys] Question: What is yoga? friends whatsri patanjali is says abt yaga ? ( this is not a film stoery wihich always right by only film story maker . YOGA is great and real living story . one always keep this thingh becoz i h respect all yoga institute like patamjali . 8 or more difine facter you get from any where . qution is that what yoga .....what effect that in to human simple any one who does he or she feel after there BODY MIND AND SOUL will chane in to......................AFTER MORE . AND MORE.................................................................... ......... real Bless . thanks vijay yoga definition 4:14 PM Yoga is defined by Sri Patanjali as having eight parts. It concerns purification of the psyche, so that the self can perceive clearly the different levels of reality and make an effort to reach the preferred ones. Those eight parts are : moral principles, favorable behaviors, bodily postures, breath enhancement, introspection, linking to a higher reality, maintaining the link to higher reality effortlessly and maintaining that link for extended periods of time. My translation and commentary on Patanjali Yoga Sutra is available at this link: www.lulu.com/content/2112537 18 messages in this topic | post via the web | start a topic via the web Group Links home | announcements | discussions | members | email preferences To stop receiving discussion posts from Yoga Journeys, visit: www.care2.com/c2c/groups/unsubscribe/125/21412215 or email to: yoga_journeys-unsubscribe-21412215@groups.care2.com new topic email: yoga_journeys@groups.care2.com owner email: yoga_journeys-owner@groups.care2.com Michael B. Care2 Groups Care2 groups offers tools for keeping in touch with those who share your interests including: * host announcements * member discussions * rss content * group shares To learn more go to C2C Groups Popular Groups Fans of Edward R. Murrow (35 members) Nuestra America Nueva~Our New America (133 members) WOOT! (16 members) Animal Support -India (17 members) What we can do to stop Global Warming (1,679 members) More Popular Groups » Share, Learn, Connect and Make a Difference with Care2 Groups! www.care2.com/c2c/groups _____ To stop receiving this newsletter, visit: www.care2.com/newsletters/unsub/10333/0/21412215/1b0ae013 or send a blank email message to: ng-u-10333-21412215-6635126-11208563-d2d6f753@australia.care2.com Care2.com, Inc. 275 Shoreline Drive, Suite 300 Redwood City, CA 94065 www.care2.com

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Yoga is defined by Sri Patanjali as having eight parts. It concerns purification of the psyche, so that the self can perceive clearly the different levels of reality and make an effort to reach the preferred ones.

Those eight parts are : moral principles, favorable behaviors, bodily postures, breath enhancement, introspection, linking to a higher reality, maintaining the link to higher reality effortlessly and maintaining that link for extended periods of time.

My translation and commentary on Patanjali Yoga Sutra is available at this link:  http://www.lulu.com/content/2112537

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(I have tried to meditate without doing yoga, but I feel more connected when I prepare my body for meditation by doing yoga.)? i have read this sorry i dont understand what is the mean of above note. Becz yoga is not modren excersize its MORE 500yrs old real human ...Mind Body & Soul........ process which one does by great real peace kind PRAY COMES ONLY OFTER ALL THREE PART BODY MIND & SOUL DEEP MEDITATION. HOPE I M LITTLE RIGHT. VIJAY

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The Way of Life of the One Who I Am

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Established in yoga, perform actions having abandoned attachment,
O wealth-conqueror, having become indifferent to success and failure.
This indifference is called yoga.

From Discover Sanskrit


In light and love

Wishing all health, balance and joy.

Danielle V.
www.ModernMusings.com
www.RootsOfHumanity.blogspot.com
www.TheRasa.wordpress.com
The Rasa Group on Care2

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"Now the last centre is the limbic area. It is topped by the fontanelle bone area, which is the area for our last breakthrough (Brahmarandra). This centre (Sahasrara) is the most important with one thousand petals.  When Kundalini crosses over the seventh centre, she pierces through the fontanelle bone area which again becomes a little softer, as it was in childhood, and this Kundalini joins, or becomes one, and unites with the All-pervading Power of Divine love. As a result, we start feeling the cool breeze of the Holy Ghost on our fingertips, later on our hands, and also out of our fontanelle bone area.  This Kundalini has to ascend and pierce through six subtle centres, which are placed in the spinal cord and in the brain. The last breakthrough is the actualisation of the baptism as one feels the cool breeze of the Holy Ghost emitting out of one's fontanel bone area.  I am what I am. I have been that. I'm not going to grow any more or less. This is an Eternal Personality. It is now for you to get out of Me whatever is possible, to make use of your birth in these Modern Times, to grow to your full maturity, to be able to work out the complete design that the Divine wants to do through you. As soon as the dedication starts you become dynamic. Cling on to that.  So what a terrible situation was there, for Adi Shakti, to assert Herself. Then also there was very big problem about these religions asserting themselves, their own ideas, their own conditionings on people, and absolutely blind. So it was a turmoil. It was a turmoil and at this turmoil state only Adi Shakti had to come to establish the dharma.  Whenever there is danger to Dharma, I am born." Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi
http://www.drivehq.com/folder/p1239432/07199262.aspx

John 14:15-18 "...And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever..."

"Buddha had also spoken of these three Powers: "I will send you Matraiya." Matraiya means "three types of Mothers" - Matain, Ekritya, Matraiya. People did not understand what Matraiya was and so called it Maitreya. Matraiya can only be in Adi Shakti simultaneously." Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi

Malachi 4:5,6 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”

Jude 20
Acts 2:1-4

Judaism - For the The Sacred Breath that shakes the branches of the Sephorotic Tree of Life.

Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi - Sahaja Yoga
http://www.drivehq.com/folder/p1239432/07199262.aspx

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Yoga:

 I'm new to Yoga, and the benefits that I are receiving are great. It's a new way to expand my spiritual path and to meditate in a new way.

Thanks,

Namaste

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Broadly speaking each type of Yogi will give a different answer. ie The Raja (Hatha), Bakti, Karma and Gyana Yoga's are very different practices.

For myself Yoga's have allowed me to cultivate the ability to still my mind, to focus my mind on one point without distraction, to strengthen and heal my body, to open my heart, to live in a less egotistical way and with more compassion than I previously lived.

So I thank you Yoga.

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One of my goals when I do my sporadic yoga practice to keep my mind as clear as possible and focus completely on the pose and my breathe.

Robert Morgen
The Spiritual Entrepreneur - http://sae.holisticplus.org/

New Paradigm Media - http://thedowhatyoulove.com

Check out my FREE Affiliate Program. Learn to develop PASSIVE Income! - http://abe5.com/1cs

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I will focus n this question,

without distraction.

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After suffering from Burnout and having to spend 6 weeks in a "Kurort" near Wiesbaden in Germany I was introduced to Yoga and meditation. I was such a hectic guy running round like a madman at home and work, 24/7, trying to keep everyone happy and doing the exact opposite. Time to chill. I joined a local group and have since become totally fascinated by the whole business. I have never felt so at one with myself and the environment around me. I am here to learn and invite suggestions for an absolute beginner!

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Hi Care2 friends, I began doing yoga after my first baby 16 years ago and stuck at it while having my next four!! I am part of a group on wednesday nights and I do it at home with the help of a dvd or video everyday. I feel that it centres me and gives me a deep inner sense of peace and calmness to help me cope with anything life throws at me. Holding the postures for however long you hold them, breathing in and out, concentrating on each movement makes you realise that you can do anything. It is strengthening not just for your body, but for your mind and spirit. I love yoga and the yogic lifestyle (I try to live as ayurvedically as possible and I love my life because of it.

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Tania, your description of yoga was right on target for me.  Yoga is not just asanas, it is part of the fabric of my life - it is the breath, the mind, the body everywhere, all the time, wherever I am.

I also meditate and am not alway able to do yoga in preparation for meditation.  I find meditation more satisfying after yoga in that I am able to settle in more readily, but that is what the asanas are meant to do - to prepare one's body for meditation.

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For me, yoga is about being aware and living in the moment.  It is about awakening the body, mind and spirit.  It is about surrender and acceptance. 

I find myself being aware of my posture in everyday living: at the grocery store, at work, bathing kids, playing with my children on the playground.  Most of all, I have become aware of my breath. 

I have tried to meditate without doing yoga, but I feel more connected when I prepare my body for meditation by doing yoga.

Yoga for me is a way of life.

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