Connecting to the Self in Yoga Poses
Yoga is often defined as the union between our lower self and our Higher Self. The "higher" or transcendental Self is referred to as purusha, or pure and unchanging spirit. The lower self is generally referred to as the ego or asmita and is concerned mainly with one's individual thoughts, body and senses, all of which are changing. It is the clinging to that which is changing that brings about suffering. Alternately, remembering who we truly are, via connection to the Self, brings about the inner peace that Yoga seeks. In this article, we invite you to allow your physical Yoga practice to become your spiritual practice. "Spiritual" refers to how we connect to something larger than ourselves-it is the union of our lower and Higher Self.