Going Gaga Over Yoga

“Yoga is the unifying act of transforming dharma into action”…. M.Berry

Pop icon Madonna is amongst one of the most popular bi-products of commercialised yoga, along with the like of Gwenyth Paltrow, Willem Dafoe, Donna Karan, Julia Roberts and ‘bad boy’ Robbie Williams.

In fact, one of Madonna’s songs “Shanti/Astanga, from her album “Ray of Light’, features the Astanga Yoga mantra, traditionally chanted before the commencement of each class.

Her buffed and toned body (she looks amazing for a woman in her 50’s), pays direct tribute to her journey of self-discovery and dedicated practice of Ashtanga Yoga, which cultivates a source of internal body heat, allowing toxins to burn , whilst building flexibility, strength and admirable stamina.

THE TRUTH ABOUT YOGA

Before one becomes ‘gaga’ over yoga perhaps your should first familiarise yourself about what yoga really is, its origin, the underlying premise behind the discipline and how it could both serve and bring benefit to your life.

Let’s start first by defining the word Yoga (yoh-guh)

The actual definition of the term yoga is to ‘yoke’, and is derived from the Sanskrit root of “yuj”. The concept being is that when practicing yoga the ultimate goal is to unite, or yoke, the individual soul to the divine, universal soul – in other words – creating “Oneness”.

Add to this description the word ‘asana’, which is the practice of physical poses and postures and you would have a good description of what yoga is about.

Yoga in the Western world has been commercially packaged in line with the various needs of its diverse cultures.

The possibilities are as plentiful as the different forms of yoga which one can practice.

You owe it to yourself to research a little, in order to find the one that best fits your own perception and lifestyle.

So why not buy your own ‘red carpet – aka yoga mat), and shine in your own spotlight, whilst enjoying the benefits of a healthy, toned body and a clear and peaceful mind.

PS: You really don’t need to practice in little more than lacy undergarments, like Lady Gaga (unless of course you feel so inclined) – however and jokes aside – after hip surgery and having the unfortunate experience of being confined to a wheelchair for a number of weeks, the icon that ‘Lady Gaga” is, was sighted back at yoga class – that very fact speaks volumes….