Yoga is more than just exercise. It is a practice that works to build the connection of the body, mind and spirit. As people begin a yoga practice and explore the concepts of yoga, it is easy to see that yoga is a lifestyle.
The lifestyle changes you experience after practicing yoga regularly for a while include both spiritual changes and changes in habits and life choices. The spiritual changes result from an increased awareness and connection to others and the source of life.
This means different things to each person and everyone experiences this change in her own way. While yoga isn’t a religion, it does have spiritual roots dating back thousands of years in India.
One of the earliest texts, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, addresses some rules of conduct. Known as yamas, these rules include non violence, truthfulness, faithfulness, non greed and non stealing. The rules of social conduct described in the Yoga Sutras are very similar to some of the Ten Commandments.
The changes in thinking and life choices also result from an increased awareness. A growing awareness of the connection to others and connecting your body and mind make you want to care for your body more and treat it right. This desire results in healthier choices in diet, exercise and caring for your body.
In addition, if you follow the yamas, how you treat your body falls under the category of non violence. The Yoga Sutras address how to treat other beings and ourselves. This includes how we eat, what we do and even what we think.
The change in awareness leads to a change in how we view the world and interact with others. As people begin to feel the connection between them, other beings, the earth and God, this influences how they interact with their world and the people in it.