In the first chapter of the Patanjali Sutra, it is written “Yogash Chitta Vritti Nirodhah”, which was quite aptly translated into “Yoga is the mastery of the mind-field.”
Now to some people this line may seem abstract and not hold much significance, but somewhere in the middle of 2016, I came across this line that said “Everything you experience is experienced through the mind.” Which largely implied that if you were in control of your mind and senses, one would essentially be the orchestrator of his own experiences. This was an intriguing idea at the time, and I decided to keep it as my own life principle.
Thus, the quote from the sutra really resonated with me as it complemented this principle I believed in.
In Singapore especially, yoga has largely been marketed as merely a physical exercise with the intention to keep practitioners young and fit. Thus, only the physical aspect has seen a great deal of promotion, while the mental/spiritual aspects have experienced great neglect.
However, I believe yoga can do much more! By applying certain techniques such as regulating our breaths we are able to manage our emotions, which in turn affects the way we perceive outcomes of situations. The practice of yoga also makes us more disciplined, regulating our thoughts and desires, thus allowing us to lead more fruitful lives.
-Scott
