Discover The Namaste

Through yoga, we discover that we are not a single entity on this planet.

Have you ever observed yoga students who come into class without conversations, solely focused on their practice, and leave immediately after class without any interaction with those around them? We all have different personalities. Yet, how we interact with those around us influences our connections with the world.

Single focus without connection can result in isolation. Not to say that isolation doesn’t have its benefits: avoiding distractions, being productive, and discovering your true identity. Yet, complete isolation has the potential to isolate individuals, making them an island in the midst of this vast world.

17th century English poet, John Donne said, “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main….” If we just focus entirely on what we are doing on the single island, then we miss out on the beauty of the archipelago of connections that we are a part of.

We are not alone in this world nor alone in our life journey. We are all part of a greater community that only functions successfully when we all work together, connect, and support each other.

We are part of an entity—a greater planet where all living and nonliving organisms function together, influence each other, and impact the world around us. As humans, we are designed to function best not as individuals but as a whole society. We are connected to a larger body—a web of life with the essence of moving through this world in harmony.

We all have a voice to share, and each person’s voice has incredible worth! When you go to yoga, there may be a person next to you that aches for connection, to say hello and introduce themselves, to open their hearts in gratitude and friendship. They may be hesitant to be the first one to speak or concerned they may disturb you. Or perhaps, they are very comfortable in their quiet space.

Don’t be afraid to reach out! Let your voice be heard. Let their voices be heard. Value each person beside you, whether you are in-person or live online. Ultimately in life, every person wants to be valued, heard, and understood. You can give that gift of connection, not only for that person but for yourself each time you enter a yoga space. You may be surprised that you need that connection too! This connection rings true in our every day lives outside of yoga too!

As a yoga teacher, I always reach out to individuals to welcome, connect, and help them feel part of a greater community. It is our job as teachers and yoga students to find that deep connection with others— that Namaste— the connection within, the spark that unites us all.

Each student is unique, bringing insights, gifts, and experiences to the yoga community. Teachers must talk with students. Students must talk with other students. Share your inner voice and make those connections. Talk with each other before and after class. Discover each other’s gifts, interests, and passions. Inquire about personal lives. Find out who people are as an individual. Go deep within and discover what drives them, what is important to them, and who matters to them. Discover your common interests. You already know you have one thing in common—yoga!

Teachers have the unique opportunity to foster community by inviting students to connect. Encourage them to share personal experiences, favorite poses, discoveries, challenges, and joys they have experienced on their yoga journey. Making connections builds support systems and second families. Through these relationships, we create trust, safety, support, and encouragement. When we connect with others we value not only the individual but the greater community. When we display compassion and care beyond ourselves, we teach service and interconnection.

We must value each other, not just as individuals but as a community. The connections we make in yoga bind us. They take our practice to a deeper level. When we build these connections, we are building bridges between individuals so they no longer feel isolated and alone on an island.

Connecting with others encourages us to look beyond the self and encompass the conglomeration of all connected individuals—the whole archipelago. As we understand the vast beauty of our connections, we can delve into the deep soul of individuals. As a result, we begin to see the true nature of individuals—who they really are. We connect to the individual spark inside of each person—the spark and essence that binds us all together. That's the Namaste.

Even though we each come to yoga for different purposes, it is our commonality that binds us all together in yoga. It is that pure, radiant, inner light within each and every one of us that connects us. We all share that same inner light. It truly unites us as one: one being, one body, one community, one purpose, one mind, one heart, one soul—The Namaste.

Come experience The Namaste within yourself and our community:

https://connectionsyogava.wixsite.com/yoga.