Returning to the Roots: Yoga as a Way of Being

Blog Article

In a world that moves quickly, where yoga has often been reduced to fitness content and commercial branding, it’s easy to forget what yoga really is. The original aim of yoga was never flexibility or lifestyle trends—it was inner freedom.

Jeevatman Yogshala, based in Rishikesh, operates from a quiet but clear principle: yoga is not a technique you perform; it's a way of seeing, living, and being.

This post explores the philosophy and structure of traditional yoga practice—what it includes, what it demands, and what it reveals about ourselves when we approach it with honesty.

Yoga Means Union—but What Kind?

The Sanskrit word Yoga comes from the root “yuj,” which means “to join.” But this isn’t about joining hands or groups—it refers to the union between the individual self (Jeeva) and the universal Self (Atman).

In the simplest sense, yoga is the practice of removing what distorts your view of reality—fear, craving, distraction, ego—so that awareness becomes clear. Not temporarily calm. But fundamentally different.

This isn’t something that happens by accident. It’s cultivated through daily practice, ethical restraint, breathwork, study, and inner stillness.

The Framework of Classical Yoga

The classical yogic tradition, as described in texts like the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, is built on eight limbs (Ashtanga Yoga). These are not optional branches, but an integrated system:

Yama – moral restraints (non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy/moderation, non-possessiveness)
Niyama – internal observances (purity, contentment, discipline, self-study, surrender)
Asana – steady, grounded physical posture
Pranayama – conscious regulation of breath
Pratyahara – withdrawal from sensory distractions
Dharana – one-pointed concentration
Dhyana – meditation
Samadhi – deep absorption beyond mind and ego

These aren’t philosophical concepts—they’re practical tools. Each one builds on the others, offering a reliable path toward mental stability and inner insight.

Beyond Postures: What the Practice Really Involves

A traditional training environment—like that offered by Jeevatman Yogshala—includes far more than just posture instruction. Here’s what it usually looks like:

1. Asana (Physical Practice)

Focus is on stability, breath coordination, and internal awareness, not performance or stretching.
The practice includes Hatha Yoga (slow, static holds) and Ashtanga Yoga (structured vinyasa sequences).
Props, alignment instruction, and breath timing are emphasized to build a sustainable foundation.

2. Pranayama (Breath Regulation)

Techniques like Nadi Shodhana, Bhastrika, Ujjayi, and Kapalabhati are used to purify the energy channels and settle the nervous system.
Breath is not treated as an accessory—it’s the core of awareness training.

3. Meditation

Daily seated meditation is practiced—not to relax, but to observe the inner process without reacting.
Methods include breath focus, mantra repetition, and silence.
You learn how the mind resists stillness—and what it reveals when you stay.

4. Mantra and Chanting

Chanting is used not as religious ritual, but as sound-based concentration.
Vibrational awareness through mantras like Om, Gayatri, and Guru Stotram is explored.

5. Shatkarma (Cleansing Techniques)

Techniques like Jala Neti (nasal rinse), Trataka (gazing), and Kapalabhati are taught to clear physical and energetic blockages.
These purify the body and prepare the practitioner for deeper internal work.

6. Yoga Philosophy

Texts studied often include:
- Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
- Bhagavad Gita
- Hatha Yoga Pradipika
- Upanishads
Philosophy is not taught for debate—it’s used as a mirror to examine one’s mind, decisions, and motives.

A Typical Day in Traditional Yoga Training

Training follows a set schedule, which brings rhythm and simplicity to daily life. At Jeevatman Yogshala, a day often includes:

Early wake-up and silence
Cleansing, pranayama, and meditation
Asana practice (Hatha or Ashtanga)
Philosophy or anatomy lectures
Practical workshops on alignment and teaching
Second asana session
Evening mantra or satsang (group inquiry)
Simple, sattvic meals
Lights out early

This rhythm isn’t for performance—it’s to create space for inward attention and observation.

Food, Sleep, and Lifestyle: Sattva in Practice

Yoga practice doesn’t end with the mat. Everything affects your state of awareness—including food, conversation, sleep, and company.

That’s why yoga schools like Jeevatman Yogshala offer:

Sattvic vegetarian meals – light, digestible, plant-based
No stimulants – caffeine, sugar, and processed food are minimized
Silence periods – especially in the early morning
Minimal digital use – to reduce distraction

These aren’t restrictions—they are supportive environments for practice.

What You Face Internally

Yoga practice often reveals what’s normally hidden:

Impatience
Mental restlessness
Emotional patterns
Ego in learning
Fear of stillness
Craving for control or recognition

The goal is not to “fix” these, but to observe them without being overwhelmed by them. Yoga teaches you how to stay.

And in staying, something shifts.

Teaching Is Not the Goal—Understanding Is

Although schools like Jeevatman Yogshala offer structured teacher training courses, the first aim is not certification.

It’s clarity.

You learn how to:

Study your own habits with honesty
Understand classical teachings through lived experience
Approach others with grounded presence
Practice yoga beyond posture and performance

Whether or not you teach others, the training is meant to equip you to live more consciously.

Conclusion: What Yoga Returns You To

Yoga, in its traditional form, doesn’t ask for speed. It asks for attention. Not more achievement, but less distraction.

Schools like Jeevatman Yogshala don’t promise transformation. They offer tools. The rest is practice—repeated, honest, and quiet.

Yoga will not make you someone new.
It will show you what you already are—beneath identity, roles, and reactivity.
It’s a return, not an upgrade.

That’s the real training.

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RETURNING TO THE ROOTS: YOGA AS A WAY OF BEING

Returning to the Roots: Yoga as a Way of Being