Life and Death in Yoga

In one of my yoga practices this last week I found myself contemplating deeply about life and death and all that encompasses these topics. I came to the realization that yoga, in an abstract way, can be very symbolic of both life and death. Prana, is an ancient Sanskrit word meaning “life force.” It refers to a cosmic energy that connects all aspects of the universe. During a yoga practice, you use breath and movement to create prana. In essence, you are creating life, creating energy within your body. At the same time however, yoga can be very symbolic of death. With your yoga practice, you are taught to let go of what doesn’t serve you. You release negativity, pain, anxiety, guilt, emotions, and anything else that may no longer have a place within yourself.  Yoga is about a balance of these two elements. We even see this symbolism with particular asanas and vinyasas. For example, during your traditional sun salutation or any vinyasa series, we are creating energy. At the end of our practice we typically end with savasana in corpse pose, (dealth).  We become grounded and physically and mentally let go of tension, heartache, pain etc. After savasana, I typically have my students roll to one side, hugging their knees into their chest, much like you would in the fetal position (birth).  We finish by coming to seated and using our breath to center ourselves, creating new prana, new energy, and new life.

Sometimes in your practice emotions or feelings that may be repressed or hidden can come to light (birth) and then just as easily they are acknowledged and released (death). Yoga is about finding the delicate equilibrium of these two principles; creation and elimination. It is finding a healthy balance and using the two to best serve you at that moment in time. In my opinion, yoga makes you “whole.” If used correctly, it can help you feel more peace, and many would point out that one common definition of peace is “to make whole.” It is no wonder that people feel so revitalized and at peace after a yoga practice; it essentially represents the natural life cycle that we all do, and continue to pass through. Your personal practice is tailored to you, it helps you make use of what will benefit you and let go of that which doesn’t. So next time you step on your mat, honor this process, honor not only the birth, but also the death. Let yoga serve you, accepting what it brings to light, and finding the ability to let go of things that no longer serve you.

Namaste

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