I have been studying yoga and practicing for only about 6-7 months but I am completely in love with it and want to adapt a more yogic lifestyle. Of course, I am not exactly sure how to go about this. Can anyone point me in the direction of how to do this? What are the main principles? How are you living and how did you get there? I know this is a very broad question but I guess I just need a couple pointers to get me in the right direction. Thanks!
Not to burst any bubbles, but I think it is good to ask yourself first: why is it that you want a more yogic lifestyle? Is the lifestyle itself the goal, or do you believe you will gain something by living a more ‘yogic’ lifestyle?
If you wish to ignore these questions and just want a direct answer to your question, I’dd say: Read the Yoga Sutra’s. They exist out of 4 chapters. The first two especially are about way of life. They will tell you what to do and what not to do.
Goodluck! I hope you find what you are looking for, and more.
Bentinho
Thanks, the main reason I want to live a more yogic lifestyle is because I love yoga so much and I have recieved such benefits from it that I feel that if I adapt a lifestyle that compliments my practice that I will recieve even more benefits and feel better as well. Its not just so I can say that I live a yogic life. I just want to open my mind to all that I can. Thanks for the reply!
Hi,
Read the yamas and niyamas, they explain the yogic lifestyle perfectly. And then live them, everyday, apply them to each facet of your life. That is the start of a yogic lifestyle.
I see, well that was what I expected. I think that is the goal and meaning for most people who are living a yogic lifestyle :).
I wish you the blessings and benefits!
A personal tip from mine: Don’t get lost in all that is prescribed about what to do and what not to do. In the end it is about living a conscious life in which you embrace yourself the way you are, moment by moment, and let any modification that should occur happen from that peace and awareness, not out of guilt or wishing to be better.
Love,
Bentinho.
Don’t let yourself discouraged by old yoga dogs. Most of the time they have no idea what they talk about, and when they do, they are totally incomprehensible.
yamas and niyamas – read them, practice them, discuss them here; examine fiercely whether they are already part of your life or whether they would change your life.
he, he, Hubert: when they do, they are totally incomprehensible. Who’s posts are you looking at? (Definitely don’t answer that.)
How you delve more deeply into a yogic living depends on where you currently are in your living.
But a simple answer is possible here and that one I believe is offered up by Pandara above. Look at the ten yama and niyamas (knowing there are many more) from Patanjali’s yoga sutras. Rather than memorizing them try taking them one at a time, living that one completely for 21 days, then moving on to the next. You’ll have them within you by the time you have completed the ten - some seven months later.
If you are interested in those ten and their surrounding precepts in the sutra then I’d suggest The Science of Yoga by I.K Taimini
Thank you all so much. You have all gave me such great advice. I have the yoga sutras book and haven’t read it but now I am definitly going to read it tonight. Thanks innerathelete for your suggestion about taking them one at a time. I really think that will help me fully absorb each one and how important they are. I will definitly be posting and discussing on here, you all have been so helpful, thanks.
I’ve lived in yoga communities since 1976, and I confess, I’m wondering what you mean by a “yogic lifestyle.” From my experience, I would imagine it means a life among like-minded people who value expansive attitudes of kindness, cooperation, self-control, centeredness, etc. If you don’t know of a community, perhaps you could look for a yoga center or studio where people are looking for the same things you are. Paramhansa Yogananda believed strongly in the value of community for yogis - “work, church, and home in the same place,” as he put it. His disciple, Swami Kriyananda, created successful communities in the US and Europe, and now in India. See ananda.org. Organizations including Ananda and others have meditation groups or centers in major cities. And they aren’t all entirely about meditation to the exclusion of Hatha - if that’s your focus.
Thank you so much that was so helpful. I will definitly look into that. I definitly need some guidance and would love to get some insight from others that feel the same way. Right now I go to a yoga studio that have wonderful teachers that believe in the same things that I do and are very helpful and most of them have lived in ashrams at some point in their life. My husband is in the military and I have two kids so unfortunatly I would not be able to live in an ashram but I would still like to be as involved in my local yoga community as possible. Thanks!
There’s a saying in Indian lore: “When the disciple is ready, the Guru appears.” I’m 67 now, and my experience has shown me that reality tends to adjust itself to support our high aspirations. Keep calling, and God bless.
Yamas and Niyamas.
Do not discourage yourself if you feel you can accomplish them at 100%.
If you would, you would need no more yoga, you would be a saint close to enlightenment!
Thank you all so much, it means a lot to me that you have all offered so much wisdom and advice it is helping me on my path alot!
A yogic lifestyle follows naturally from a yoga practice. The limbs are all interconnected.
[quote=panoramix;21134]Yamas and Niyamas.
Do not discourage yourself if you feel you can accomplish them at 100%.
If you would, you would need no more yoga, you would be a saint close to enlightenment!
;)[/quote]
Of course, I meant “[B].[/B]… [B]can’t[/B] accomplish …”