Yoga
The Three Pillars : Defining Yoga
To understand Yoga is to realize it is not a single path, but a vast ocean of wisdom. While modern practice often focuses on the physical, the classical roots of Yoga offer three distinct and powerful definitions that shape the practice as we know it today.
The Mastery of Mind : Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras
Patanjali, the Father of Modern Yoga, defines Yoga through the lens of mental discipline. In the second verse of his foundational text, he provides the ultimate benchmark for the practitioner : “Yogaś citta vṛtti nirodhaḥ” – Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind.
According to Patanjali, Yoga is not about what you can do with your body, but what you can do with your thoughts. It is the process of stilling the mental chatter (memories, desires, and distractions) so that you can experience your true, peaceful nature.
The Path of Balance : Hatha Yoga
If Patanjali is the psychology of Yoga, Hatha is the biology and energy. The word Hatha is derived from two Sanskrit roots : “Ha” (Sun) and “Tha” (Moon).
In this tradition, Yoga is defined as the harmonizing of opposites. It is the union of the active and the passive, the breath and the body, and the masculine and feminine energies within us. By mastering the physical body and the breath, we create a steady foundation for the mind to become still.
The Art of Living : The Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita moves Yoga off the mat and into our daily lives. It offers three beautiful definitions that transform how we interact with the world:
- Equanimity (Samatvam) : Yoga is evenness of mind, remaining calm and centered whether you face success or failure.
- Skill in Action (Karmasu Kaushalam) : Yoga is the supreme skill of performing your duties with total presence and excellence, without being attached to the rewards.
- Freedom from Suffering : It is the disconnection from the union with pain, allowing us to live with a sense of joy and purpose regardless of external circumstances.
While the physical practice has its place, my heart lies in the philosophy of yoga ; to me, it is a continuous way of living where every second is an invitation to remain in deep awareness of my breath, my actions, and the subtle shifts happening within.
In my classes, I invite you to move, breathe, and realign – blending awareness, flow and presence to bring harmony to body, mind and soul. It consists in a deeper connection that you can carry on your daily more than a physical performance nourishing the ego for few seconds.