Inner Strength
Definition matters, but the real Yoga happens inside
The Yoga experience defines practitioners who walk this tattva, this path, long term. My treasured ways are invisible, but as summer full swings, some of the external signs become visible, too - how we look, how we carry ourselves, how we talk, how we glow, how we mingle. I attribute my outer strength and my inner strength to Yoga and trace back all references to and recognition of these to daily Yoga practice, long term, done with faith and love.
Disclaimer: all compliments go to my heart, these days. Life humbles me too much to build my ego at this point. Someone complimented my “definition” recently, a person who regularly frequents the gym, seeking just that. I didn't realize it was a noticeable thing, but I attribute it to Yoga. Someone complimented my voice. Someone else complimented my energy. You see, when you properly practice Yoga, the inside work spreads through all the maya-s, and it's visible, audible and feel-able. To me, this is just me; yet to others, it’s a noticeable, defining factor of me.
Yoga originates inside of us. It happens inside of us. Inner strength is my focus, because life’s challenges never cease, nor does its persistent beauty. An empowered, well-lived life requires inner strength to embrace, endure and optimally experience all of it. What I notice lately is, inner strength is our sraddha, our inner conviction and trust. And it is more than that. It’s our sense of inner self, and more. It’s our physical strength, and more. Our physical health, and more. Our mental health, and more. Our emotional wellbeing, and more. Our energy levels, and more. It’s all of these, operating in tandem, so that when one falters, the others are available to hold us, to pick us up when the life experience grips us. Shakes us up. Depletes us.
When we practice deeply, day after day, decade after decade, surrendering to the power of the subtle breath in āsana, we engage all of our subtle aspects, not just our superficials. This matters, as hindrances to our well-being reside deep within our nadi-s, our dhatus, blood, muscles, fat, bone, bone marrow and reproductive fluid. And that’s just at the physical level. By stoking our digestive fire through Krishnamacharya’s advanced breathing directives, we remove deeper impurities. We nourish our innermost health by improving the flow of prāṇa, and it radiates from internal to external, protecting us.
Practicing deeply, we’re also removing leftover residue from past trauma, highly prohibitive for current wellbeing, strength-sucking. Scrubbing daily, as we do in our houses, we remove and release residue, providing opportunity for a fresh start. Fresh starts feel stronger, lighter and more hopeful, especially when we’ve been integral to the process.
Does that mean we don’t fall ill? No. Are we impermeable to heartbreak, grief, frustration, or resentment? No. Does it mean we may go into illness and challenge healthier? Yes, supporting coming out of it with greater health, tools and faith.