What does it mean to be a yogi? What does a yogi do, how do they act, what are the rules and commandments to a yogi’s lifestyle? Do we always walk around chanting sanskrit? Do we whisper namaste to passersby on the street? Pretty much…
Well almost..
There are really no specific steps to become or embrace the yogi lifestyle, BUT, there are guidelines that help and motivate you to live a more true and pure life. Being a yogi probably doesn’t mean much to someone who isn’t at least halfway invested in the yogi lifestyle, but it most definitely means everything and then some to individuals who believe in being a yogi or who wants to become a yogi, and I hope it sparks some interest in those that don’t really care either way. I truly think that yogis make a difference both individually and globally. Yoga is my sanctuary even if it doesn’t provide a tangible roof, it gives me a place away from the worry where I can access the depth of myself by embracing being a yogi, and so can you.
The word “Yogi” directly translates to three different definitions. According to Merriam-Webster a yogi is 1. A person who practices yoga. 2. An adherent of Yoga philosophy. And my personal favorite, 3. A markedly reflective or mystical person. Sounds pretty accurate. According to Sri Swami Satchidananda the secret to being a yogi and finding happiness lies in serving others. Now this doesn’t mean all yogis are obligated to spend their weekends in a soup kitchen (although once would be nice). It does mean though, that a yogi follows the path of the eight limbs of yoga.
These eight limbs were introduced through the yoga sutras of Patanjali. These are guidelines for a yogi to live by. Their goal is to alleviate suffering and to live a more disciplined life, to become more connected to our infinite state of bliss and love that we are truly meant to be. These eight limbs are technically to be addressed before the physical practice, but really its just the precedent of the thing. These eight limbs of yoga were intended to be an entire lifestyle, and the physical postures weren’t even included in the initial floor plan. Whether this be a refresher or an introduction, try to take in all of the information without interpretation.
So there are two categories within the limbs that delve into 5 sub categories; The Yamas and the Niyamas. The other limbs include Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.
At this point you’re probably like okay thats a bunch of sanskrit mumbo jumbo that i’m not trying to get into, but it makes up a large population of pretty awesome people in the world. So here’s a lay out of it all.
The Yamas
These are the moral codes of our practice. These are ethical guidelines that assist us as we trek through this arduous human experience. There are 5 of them;
Ahimsa— Non- harm/ Non-judgement.– “A” meaning non, “Himsa” meaning violence.
This applies to thoughts words and actions toward others, but more importantly yourself. That voice that judges silently in our minds, quiet that and don’t apply it to others or yourself. Self harm talk is powerful, and can hold you back from so many good things in life. This includes keeping hurtful thoughts and words to ourselves. This also includes ceasing hurtful outward actions. This doesn’t mean you have to be overwhelmingly nice to everyone who crosses your path, but being courteous with your thoughts and keeping anything hurtful to yourself.
Aparigraha— Non- hoarding/ Non-covetousness— “A” meanings non, “Parigraha” meaning grasping. This is based on the belief that nothing can be owned, and that the belief that impermanence lies everywhere. We must be willing to find non-attatchment in objects, people, places, and even energy. I struggle with this a lot, being that I am extremely sentimental about everything. I follow a yoga figure on instagram and she just recently moved across the country, and she sold everything that she owned and started over new when she got to her new abode. I could not believe it. She had no attachment to anything that she owned not the furniture, not her plants, not her clothes, not even her dishes!! This is an excellent practice of aparigraha that I aspire to attain.
Asteya— Non-stealing/ non-grasping This is based on the belief that nothing external of ourselves can bring us happiness and that we truly don’t need anything. I mean this lightly, but think about it, this is why buddhist monks fast from food while meditating for days at a time. You don’t truly own anything but your thoughts anyway.
Brahmacharya— Restraint in actions and or thoughts This is based on the responsible conservation of your pranic energy and responsible sexual behavior. You are responsible for your energy and your body, don’t let anyone have either of those things unless you want to share that. Traditionally it was a vow of celibacy.
Satya— Truthfulness in all actions, thoughts, and dealings This means being true to others. Living your truth is the most important thing you can do. This also means to learn to distinguish reality from illusion (maya).
The Niyamas
These 5 guide us on how to care for ourselves while observing the internal and personal process.
Saucha— Cleanliness or purity of body and thoughts. This incorporates our physical practice and our breath practice (pranayama). Our 
practice and breathing techniques like breath of fire and nadi shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) helps to clean out all of the stagnant energy and heaviness that sits in us. All of that stuff that makes us tired and anxious. This niyama also helps with cleanliness of mind. We should be cleaning out our minds every day with meditation. With this we release patterns of hate, greed, desire and pride. On another note, yogis like me always clean their feet at the end of the day, shower or not, stick your feet right in the bathroom sink and religiously clean the soles of your feet before you go to bed. This cleans all of the stuff from the day before you rest for the next one.
Santosha— Contentment Santosha is tough… it is finding peace. To attain santosha peace must be found with all circumstances, even at the most difficult times. This can start with deep breaths in a trying circumstance. Just start there. I find myself acquiring so much tension and a rush of harsh energy when someone attacks me emotionally or on a personal level. I have found that knowing that everything in this life is a lesson to us, whether we interpret it that way or not is helpful. Finding a peaceful breath in these moments are important not to carry these things into our fascia, into our being and to release them, or never to let them enter in the first place.
Tapas— Heat As much as I wish these were a vital part of a yogis life… tapas are not the delicious spanish finger foods. This is keeping the body fit and healthy through pranayama and asana. Through tapas and building the internal fire when we sweat through a class helps to burn away our desires that hold us back from becoming our true selves.
Svadhyaya— Self-Study. “Sva” meaning self, “Dhyaya” examination or inquiry. This entails any activity that allows an opportunity to create self-awareness. This can happen in any given situation that allows for cultivation of awareness while recognizing our thoughts without interpreting them or changing them.
Isvara Pranidhana— to lay all of your actions at the feet of God. This is a surrendering to the divine. Whatever your higher being or power is, surrendering all of your control to it. Accessing the knowledge that we are not in control because we do not yet have the understanding that we need to be in control. Our role in this life is to be part of the experience with the Divine to lead us.
Asana
This is the third limb of the eight limbed path. Asana has become a popular way for people in the west to practice their version of yoga. This is the physical practice that allows us to access the mental practice. Some find their way into a higher state of being when submerged into their practice.
Pranayama
Prana is energy that contains the force of life. Yama is the control of- Pranayama relates to this energetic control of our life force which is usually in the form of breath control.
Pratyahara
This is the withdrawal of the senses from the outside world. This is the beginning of our ascension inward. This incorporates the practice of non-attachment, which eliminates the desire of using our senses, allowing our spiritual knowledge to lead us.
Dharana
This translates to “immovable concentration of the mind” which cultivates our inner awareness. This teaches us to realize that we are not our thoughts, or our expression of our emotions, not even our experience but something more. If we have the ability to witness our thoughts then we are not our thoughts. We can contemplate the thoughts that come up, but our thoughts are a separate entity. You must learn to allow yourself to be separate from your thoughts because, again, you are not your thoughts.. if that makes any sense.
Dhyana
This is a meditation on the divine. This is “perfect contemplation”. When we are able to focus all of our energy and awareness on one single object the mind is transformed into the very shape of that object. Now that might sound like hocus pocus, but if you were to focus your attention on the divine we can become more reflective on our true nature and become the pure love and light that is the divine, that is if you allow and believe it to happen…
Samadhi
This is the best limb in my opinion, because it is difficult to attain without hard work and 
dedication to your practice. This is union with the divine, when you reach a state of pure bliss. Samadhi translates to “merge, or bring together”. this glimpse of oneness opens us to the realization of a personal relationship with the Divine and the entire universe including all living beings. Right now at this very moment, there are Buddhist monks in India sitting in meditation in their version of Samadhi, they are connected to you, and to the trees in your yard, and the clouds in the sky, and you can be too.
I think that the goal overall is to keep your sense of self but also to join the collective energy that connects us all, yogi, or non-yogi, without anxious fear of being accepted or not. I think being a yogi is a safe place for people to maintain or even activate their true sense of self, that allows us to bring more awareness to our own thoughts instead of others interpretations on us, while also spending quality time on ourselves. Before yoga I didn’t know it was acceptable to spend time on my own thoughts. I felt guilty sitting down to meditate for 5 minutes at the beginning of my journey because I didn’t think that quality time with myself was okay. This eventually faded away with the help of my mentors and teachers, and I found out that I am this energetically cosmic being that is powerful and liberated and can manipulate my thoughts just by becoming aware of them. This is where my power lies, within, because I am a yogi. Because I try my very hardest to live the virtues of a yogi lifestyle
My advice to you is to start by buying a plant. Not a finicky one like a fern, but maybe a
cactus to start, and worry about that plant instead of all of the other things you worry about.Take care of that plant by serving it with water, sunshine, and love, and don’t be afraid to talk to it, give it your exhale so it can inhale. This is an excellent start to being yogi.
These are my plants that helped me in becoming a yogi.
Until next time,
Thanks for reading,
Namaste.
-Finn and the works of her soul
SoulWorks Yoga 