I cautiously picked up a pilates class to sub for this past Saturday because it was an hour before the yoga class I had already agreed to sub for. I am not a pilates instructor so I told the class I’d do my best to do a “pilates/core-focused yoga class”.
I got through the class and thought it went very well, and no one walked out so I took that as a big win. However, I couldn’t help but notice that the energy felt different throughout the class. It was definitely a “workout” class. People wanted to feel their abs burn and work their bodies to the max. Of course, nothing is wrong with this but it was a stark difference from the energy that filled the room once the yoga class started.
It wasn’t until about fifteen minutes into the yoga class that it hit me. Devotion. We were in the middle of sun salutations and it occurred to me that this was the difference, this was the intention that I feel when entering a yoga practice or yoga space.
De·vo·tion (n) /dəˈvōSH(ə)n/ ~ love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity, or cause.
Oxford Languages
In the past, I have often grappled with explaining what makes yoga different from traditional exercise and why yoga practice is distinct from exercise. I have always felt it but now I finally have the word to describe it.
Yoga is a practice of love and Light and whether it is in the gym, a park, at the office, or at home, there is something special about dedicating time to yourself, devoting time to yourself, to practice yoga. Yoga is about self-love.
May your yoga practice be full of devotion, Namaste.
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All the best in love and Light,
Heidi
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