Discovering the Inner Self Through Yoga
In Sanskrit, the word yatra translates to pilgrimage—a sacred journey to a place of profound meaning. As one of my teachers, Dr. Svoboda, explains, "A yatra is a pilgrimage, a journey to a sacred place to gain enhanced meaning in life by coming closer to the divine, literally and figuratively. A true pilgrimage should provide some degree of personal transformation that continues after the pilgrims return to their daily lives. The journey, which with its hardships serves as acts of devotion meant to purify oneself, is at least as important as the destination."
This concept of pilgrimage doesn't just apply to physical journeys. As Paulo Coelho wisely notes in his book, The Pilgrimage, “The essential mistake is to believe that we can find what we are looking for in the external world.”
The most significant journey we undertake is often inward, exploring the depths of our own being. This internal journey is where yoga comes in, providing a path to the innermost essence of the self.
Yoga as a Journey Inward
Yoga is much more than physical postures; it’s a holistic practice that encompasses mind, body, and spirit. Each asana, or posture, is a step on your inner yatra, energetically moving you from one place to another, even if you never leave your mat or meditation cushion. This inner journey mirrors an outer pilgrimage, filled with moments of beauty and struggle, highs and lows, guiding you to a deeper understanding of yourself. This inner pilgrimage can be daunting, just like any journey to an unfamiliar place. However, just as you likely wouldn’t embark on a physical journey without any guidance or research, you don’t have to navigate your inner journey alone.
Personally, stillness is not an easy place for me to exist, and it’s kinda hard to be with your inner self if you never sit still…
When I was about 25, I signed up to do a 10-day Vipassana program (10 days of meditation for those of you who aren't familiar). I was sure I was going to make it. Everybody who knew me was sure I wasn't (generally, there is nothing better than being doubted to assure that I will do something).
After 2 days of sitting and meditating for about 10 hours a day, I was done. I left, and really, I didn't even feel bad about it because my physical body literally felt like it was breaking apart.
Shortly after, during my yoga teacher training, I learned more about anatomy, physical and energetic, and different ways to prepare for meditation and help myself sit comfortably in stillness. During the 3 months I was at the yoga retreat center where I did my teacher training, I spent about 4 hours every day doing asana and about 2 hours every day sitting and meditating. That was the perfect balance for me.
The asana part of yoga has provided such an incredible opportunity for me to use movement to point myself in the direction of stillness and to get to know myself more deeply.
The Empowered Essence Program
In the Empowered Essence Program, we are here to guide you on your inner pilgrimage. We will hold space for you, supporting you through every step of your journey. Together, we will delve into the depths of your being, discovering the truest essence of yourself.
We’ll help you figure out how to cultivate the space where you can be as comfortable as you can be physically and emotionally to undertake your journey, and we’ll help you cultivate the ability to greet discomfort in the places where it will inevitably pop up.
Remember, as my wise friend Sri Devi says, “To go within, you do have to journey by yourself, but you don’t have to do it alone.” Join us in the Empowered Essence Program and embark on the most transformative pilgrimage of all—the journey to your true self.
💖🙏🏽
Ashley
