I have heard it said that most people take better care of their vehicles than they do their bodies.
In the yogic philosophy the body is the vehicle for the soul. This body that you have been given for this lifetime is your ride through this life.
Asana is our way into the physical body for that scheduled maintenance. Yogic postures are a way to keep the joints lubricated for mobility and maintain a foundation of strength that carries us through all the stages of life. We learn how to focus and quiet our minds.
The yogic diet recommends eating whole, unprocessed foods, like fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, pulses, sprouts, nuts, seeds, honey, and fresh herbs. Some diets may or may not include milk and dairy products. Foods that are nutritious and easy to digest are considered to be Sattvic (purity, harmony, well-being). Consider this to be the literal version of “you are what you eat.” Eat pure and healthy and both your mind and body will be pure and healthy.
Being conscious of what we feed our minds is equally important as what we feed our bodies. What movies we watch, books we read, company we keep, words we say and thoughts we have are all worth examining. “What we feed our minds shapes our perceptions. Our perceptions shape our reality”. Yoga teaches us to practice Ahimsa (non-violence) in thought, word and deed.
“The yogi conquers the body by the practice of asanas and makes it a fit vehicle for the spirit. He knows that it is a necessary vehicle for the spirit. A soul without a body is like a bird deprived of its power to fly.” _ B.K.S. Iyengar
No extended warranties, can’t count on Ubers. There may be bumps in the road of life but with yoga as your routine maintenance you can keep your vehicle running smoothly.
