By Claire Diab and Dennis Boyle
As we move into 2019, let’s bring it in with a new understanding of what yoga really means. Yoga is a philosophy, a way of being, a way of living. Yoga is for everyone. Many think it is about getting your body in a pretzel-like position or wrapping your legs behind your head. If this were the case, who would be the best yogis in the world? The Cirque du Soleil acrobats.
I would like to share with you one of my favorite quotes. Please read it a few times.
Yoga is not about the shape of your body,
it is about the shape of your life.
Yoga is not to be performed,
it is to be lived.
Yoga doesn’t care about what you have been,
Yoga cares about the person you are becoming.
Yoga is designed for a vast a profound purpose
and for it to be truly called Yoga
Its essence must be embodied.
–Aadil Palkhivala
I thought it would be very special to celebrate the New Year 2019 with one of the best books I have ever read about living yoga: The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra. He has translated the philosophy of yoga, which originated thousands of years ago in India, into a modern translation.
This book is a beautiful book with principles to incorporate into your daily life. It is for everyone. I have been practicing and teaching these principles for the past 18 years. Let’s spend the next few months studying them together.
Please view the video and this month read one principle each day and then repeat each week.
Be easy, and enjoy.
Note: The First Principle of Pure Potentiality mentions meditating twice a day for 30 minutes, morning and night. It is important that a new meditator starts with five to 10 minutes of meditation in the morning and night.
Claire Diab is an internationally recognized yoga therapist. She is the director of the Yoga Program for the Chopra Center founded by Dr. Deepak Chopra and Dr. David Simon. She is an adjunct professor of Asian Studies at Seton Hall University. She is the author of several books and DVDs on yoga including “Yoga for Firefighters.”
Dennis Boyle is a retired fire director and acting chief with the West Orange (NJ) Fire Department. He was the recipient of the 1999 New Jersey Deputy Fire Chiefs “Fire Officer of the Year” award.
