Yoga Teacher Training Forum

Teaching Yoga: Explaining Meditation in Motion

Sometimes, when students come to the practice of yoga, they do so believing that it is simply a good exercise or something that can teach them stress-reduction or relaxation. While that is true, the core of yoga is actually something much deeper and more important. As most experienced practitioners know, yoga is really a form of meditation in motion. It is a deeply spiritual practice that is meant to connect the mind and body, helping individuals achieve both inner peace and enlightenment.

We can trace the importance of the meditation tradition to the word yoga, which literally means 'yoke' or 'union.' This is meant to imply that practice will harmonize the mind with the body. When this occurs, students are connected to their own essential, pure nature.

Yoga meditation is a practice of centering the body through movement and breath. Each stretch has a specific way of breathing, though in general, the inhalation accompanies the stretch upward or backward and the exhalation accompanies a bend downward or forwards.

About Breath

When breathing is synchronized with movement, it deepens the bodies practice by opening the muscles and allowing the blood to flow unrestricted to the areas that we are stretching. This not only enhances flexibility, it draws the mind towards a gentle, focused union with the body. It teaches us to be present in the body, to be peaceful in both our movements and in the moment. The body becomes our home, comfortable and accepting of whatever we are offered.

About Awareness

In yoga, the practice of 'non-judgmental awareness' is an essential component of each pose. We listen to the body; watch its ability to align itself with both interest and amazement. It is important not to seek perfection or strength. Instead, the practice requires balance and attention. The body absorbs the minds conscious effort at experience. Each pose is an attunement to both the small self (the “I”) and to the greater self (the “universe”). Step by step, practice expands our expression of the moment and connects us to the energy all around us. When our pose improves or we become stronger, we are interested, accepting and grateful.

Yoga is, of course, compatible with most spiritual traditions because it allows our wisdom to grow towards our own conceptualization of the divine. As a result, the body and the mind are aligned, united and at ease, which makes us able to accept the knowledge of our own insightful self-nature. We can approach the self with awareness and compassion. Over time, we come to realize that yoga is not a practice restricted to the mat. Instead, yoga is a precious gift of awareness and enlightenment, the practice that we bring to our daily life.