The Road Ahead

When you thought about who you were, maybe a lifetime ago, did you ever think there was a poet inside you? What about bringing out the musician inside of you or being a writer of thought-provoking ideas that could inspire others? Did you ever want to sing and hear that your voice was pleasing to your ear? Have you heard about mindfulness and wondered what it was all about? Could you imagine finding stillness within your thoughts or being able to sit calmly with eyes closed for long periods? What about exploring ideas that have captivated humankind all through the ages?

The science of yoga has not only expanded our understanding of ourselves but also our potential. Originating over 5,000 years ago in India, it has, in the last half-century, transcended borders, uniting cultures, races, genders, and generations in a shared quest for enlightenment. Its influence has fostered a more compassionate and thoughtful society, inspiring us to redefine our lives and priorities.

Through the practice of yoga, you can shed the weight of your burdens and discover profound truths about yourself. Suddenly, your internal world feels lighter, and your thoughts and feelings are free to explore new horizons. Positive thoughts blossom into feelings of health and well-being, igniting a desire to maintain this newfound state. It’s a transformative journey that encompasses your entire being, and you’re determined to hold onto it.

It is not just about mastering Dhanurasana, though that might be important in opening up new energy flows. It is not only about learning how to slow the breath down and not miss a moment of it as it comes in and goes out; it is about how you feel when that happens. When you dive deeper into yoga, it is not just about studying ancient texts like the Bhagavad Gita or Patanjali’s Sutras; it is about identifying truths that have lasted through the millenniums and seeing how they might impact you, too. When we study the Chakras, it is discovering the mix of energy, feelings, and thoughts as they affect every aspect of our lives and then learning to ask the right questions necessary to gain understanding. Yoga is so much more.

Have you ever wondered how some people maintain a loving relationship? Did you ever have thoughts about wanting to raise your children differently, where your love and emotional support were critical to their development as conscious human beings? Did you ever wish you could tell someone what was inside your heart and hope it touched their heart, too? Yoga has always been about broadening human consciousness, as it talks to us about possibilities and living to our highest potential. Yoga was always about union and fitting the pieces together in your life. 

We learned a few years ago that life can change radically, affecting us all through no fault of our own. We paused and reflected on how we wanted to live and go forward. By slowing down, we saw blue skies returning to our cities. Our lakes, rivers, and oceans recuperated their vitality overnight by reducing human activity. We spent less time in our cars and more time with our families. We were present for our children and for each other. We may have become a gentler and kinder society. We didn’t ask for the change, but a higher consciousness asked us to look around. And then governmental pressures relented, and we slowly returned to a sense of normalcy and had to decide what that meant to us now. 

There is still a road to travel. There is still much to do to bring a more loving and caring change to the planet and to the way we treat each other. As conscious individuals, we want to be in the vanguard of that change, the people trying to make a difference in every aspect of society. What we learn through yoga is essential to keep us searching, striving, and accepting as we unravel the mysteries of the road ahead.