Throughout my yoga teacher training we returned to the question of defining yoga many times. With different teachers. From the perspective of different teachings. We also compared definitions from different points in history. 

The simplest definition of yoga is the origin of the word itself. Yoga derives from the word yuj which means to join. That is, yoga unites the body and the mind through the breath. This is represented by joining the thumb and index finger in meditation. It can also be thought of as the union of the the individual conciousness with the universal consciousness.

World famous yogi Indra Devi once said: 
"Yoga is the uniting of the consciousness in the heart". 

Humans like to define things. When someone is asked the question "are you a feminist?" the answer (especially when the answer is yes) most often includes a definition of the word itself.

I like the challenge of defining of yoga. The richness of the word. This is no competition for a more correct definition. Only different ways to express an experience. Thanks to yoga being so personal and different for each person, there are endless amounts of yoga poetry out there. I never get tired of discovering new ones. There is such a great variety. Some are especially beautiful.

One of my personal favourites has long been this one by Erich Schiffman:
"Yoga is a way of moving into stillness in order to experience the truth of who you really are."

However, just recently I think I have found my favourite one so far.
Thank you Geeta Iengar.

"Yoga is the union of the soul with the eternal truth, a state of unalloyed bliss, arising from conquest of dualities. The study of Yoga discipline sharpens the power of discernment and leads towards understanding the true nature of the soul which cannot be fully comprehended by the senses or the intellect alone. The study of Yoga enables one to attain the pure state of consciousness and to realize the Inner Self.

Yoga frees one from life's sorrows and from the diseases and fluctuations of the mind. It gives serenity and composure, an inward unity amidst the diverse struggle of life. It is the art of knowing oneself and knowing the eternal truth. Yoga is the study of the functioning of the body, the mind and the intellect in the process of attaining freedom. It is the experience of one's self-acquired knowledge, and not the result of book-learning,of battling with logic, or of theoretical argumentation. Yoga is a philosophy, a way of life, wherein art and science meet."

At 18 years old I started practising yoga to recover from an ankle injury. At the time, I loved the mental freedom I felt from running; I must admit that I was impatient to see my body heal. 

Six months of yoga and I started noticing some changes. Physically, I felt more connected in my body. My torso, arms and legs were working in unison. You might think, well how could they not? But the difference I am trying to describe is that this time I was conscious of it in a new way. And I liked that feeling, my body felt healthier. 

I also began to like my body better than ever before. Although I was doing less cardio in yoga compare to running; my body felt more toned. This enhanced my confidence a whole lot, with a good timing as I was just about to graduate from high school.

The following year I moved to London. My sister gave me a pale blue yoga mat as a leaving gift. It was the first thing that entered my suitcase. On my mat I continued my home practice, at times several times a week and at other times the mat stayed rolled up next to my bed.

For the next few years I worked in retail and I was standing on my legs at least 10 hours a day, oftentimes even longer. If I could share some of the postures I know now with myself back then, I would. 
One such asana is Supta Baddha Konasana. It is just so amazing for the lower back and it really helps me to relax. 

Fast forward and I started to attend yoga classes. Hatha, Vinyasa, Flow, Ashtanga and Bikram. My passion for yoga reawakened. I learnt about Pranayama. I met other yogis and we began to exchange our experiences. 

In the midst of all commitments of a busy London life I started to show up for myself on the mat. I started to use the same mind-trick as I had often done to get off my butt and out for a run. 

Simply, tell yourself to go for a 10 minutes run only. After all, the toughest step in running is the one through the doorway.  

Now I apply this to my yoga home practice, I tell myself to roll out my mat and sit and breath on it for 10 minutes. Or perhaps do some stretching. Then I find myself doing sun salutations or other exercises. 

Thanks to my yoga teacher training I have gained independence, knowledge and confidence in my practice. Yoga enables me to live in close synergy with my body. I wish to share this with others. Yoga is a personal thing, A personal thing that is best shared.  

Me and my mat before some teaching.

Wonderful community yoga in Grace cathedral in San Francisco.