Welcome, Dear Soul,

Yoga is a profound journey to self and beyond. Before we begin the practice, I’d like to clarify a little of the confusion among many people. Are Yoga and meditation the same thing?

And the answer is Yes, almost. Both lead you to the state of highest meditation, Samadhi. When practicing Yoga, your teacher may choose the route of physical movement, which is a type of Yoga, but it is not all that Yoga is. Yoga truly means Union. The union of mind, body, and spirit with the universal Consciousness. Exactly what meditation means, Yoga involves some physical movements along with nonphysical ones such as Kriya Yoga, Raja Yoga, and Karma Yoga. These practices, when embraced fully, can transform your life, leading you to a state of profound peace and unity. 

Meditation, on the other hand, is an absolute nonphysical way of attaining the state of meditation. 

Here, I’d like to also bring to your attention that both practices offer you peace, joy, and unity with universal Consciousness. They are sacred ancient practices that were born in India thousands of years ago. But there has been a commercialization of both Meditation and Yoga, stripping off their purity and sacredness. This is a matter of concern, as these practices are not mere trends or fads but profound paths to self-realization. Falling prey to such activities will do more damage than good. I’ve heard about Hot Yoga and Beer Yoga or having organic coffees after a physical yoga exercise. As hilarious as it sounds, it’s sad to see the destruction of a noble and sacred practice. 

Be aware, choose your teacher, and practice carefully.

May you be joyful on this journey.