Finding Clarity Through Yoga

Since beginning to practice yoga over 10 years ago, I’ve often felt that yoga (the asanas) was the one thing that could bring clarity and peace of mind no matter the extent of my racing thoughts, confusion, and anxiety. So often, about halfway through an hour-long yoga practice (sometimes within a split second), my worries and struggles are all snapped into perspective, and I gain a sense of clarity / get underneath all the racing thoughts to the truth of what I’m actually going through. To me, it is one of the greatest gifts of yoga to find this degree of clarity and accompanying stillness with every practice.

I recently began reading “The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice” by T.S.V. Desikachar. This theme of yoga bringing clarity emerged so strongly as one of the ancient, primary goals of yoga. One quote that I love…”the ultimate goal of yoga is to always observe things accurately, and therefore never act in a way that will make us regret our actions later.”

“Always observe things accurately” - the simplicity of stating what I so deeply aspire to :) Desikachar, a modern-day yoga teacher whose father was considered to be the father of modern yoga - Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, also discusses “perception and action” in the Heart of Yoga. There is a term called “avidya” which literally means “incorrect comprehension.” He says we have years and years of unconscious habits, responses, and patterning that lead us to not seeing situations and circumstances clearly. He says, “these habits cover the mind with avidya, as if obscuring the clarity of consciousness with a filmy layer.” Our perception should be “like a crystal-clear mirror.” Desikachar says that the goal of yoga “is to reduce the film of avidya in order to act correctly.”

This explanation of right perception and action resonates so deeply and is another needed reminder to get on the mat day after day to continue working towards observing accurately and acting accordingly.

Does yoga help bring a sense of clarity for you? How does this theory of perception and action resonate or not resonate for you? Would love to hear your thoughts :)