One Body, One Breath
Where Yoga & Paganism Meet
by Flame RavenHawk

An ancient philosophy and practice that harmonizes well with Pagan perspectives and spiritual goals, Yoga is gaining popularity in the West, although many still think of it as merely an exercise program or a bizarre series of twisted acrobatics. Few are aware of the strong spiritual history of yoga, and its ultimate goals of enlightenment.

yoga demystified
Yoga has been practiced for at least 5,000 years. The word "yoga," which derives from ancient Sanskrit, means "union." At its core, yoga seeks unity of body, mind, and spirit. It is believed that when this union is attained, the practitioner will reach a state of enlightenment. Yoga practitioners seek this ultimate union in different ways, and over time, the practice of yoga has taken different forms. The physical discipline of yoga is only one of these forms.

steps on the eightfold path
The most well-known description of Raja Yoga appears in an ancient text called the "Yoga-Sutra" by the master Patanjali. Patanjali describes a progressive eightfold path to reaching enlightenment. Each step builds upon the strengths mastered in the previous step, and progressively leads the practitioner to deeper states of awareness. The first step of the Yoga-Sutra is Yama, and concerns itself with virtue and ethics. It asks the practitioner to be moral and upright of character, and is the foundation for all else that follows. The five virtues are nonviolence, truthfulness, non-stealing, restraint, and non-greed.

The second step is Niyama, and deals with self-discipline and establishing a habit of spiritual practices. Patanjali realized that it wasn't enough to be pure of heart; you also had to express that virtue through regular practice. The five practices mentioned are cleanliness, contentment, austerity, study, and devotion to the Sacred.

The third arm of the eightfold path is Asana, or the practice of physical poses. This prepares the body to be a worthy vessel of spiritual truth. The purpose of Asana is to prepare the body to comfortably perform extended periods of meditation.

The fourth step is Pranayama, which translates as "life force extension." It is more commonly known as "breath control." Many people are familiar with a variety of breathing techniques collectively known as "Yogic Breathing." Gaining mastery of the breath, and the movement of energy created by this control, has long been a magical contribution of yoga.

These first four steps in the path of Raja Yoga are designed to prepare the practitioner for the next four steps, which lead ultimately to Samadhi, or enlightenment. The fifth step is Pratyahara, which roughly translates to "sensory withdrawal." It is the practice of withdrawing the attention from the senses in order to focus on the inner path. This leads to the sixth step, Dharana, which is concentration. This step teaches us how to lessen the distractions within the mind.

Once external and internal distractions are eliminated, then comes the seventh step, Dhyana, or meditation. The practice of meditation, or the uninterrupted flow of contemplation, is what leads directly to the final stage of Samadhi. Patanjali describes this final state as one of ecstasy. The practitioner learns to transcend the self and merge with the Divine.

the union of yoga and paganism
The goals of establishing a Pagan practice vary widely. However, most people profess to be seeking similar things: peace, contentment, fulfillment, and a deeper connection with Divine. These goals are in complete harmony with the path of Yoga, and in particular with the practices of Asana (physical poses) Pranayama (breath control), and Dhyana (meditation), all of which result in a greater sense of self-mastery and peace.

Finding a Yoga master to study with is not always easy. The current trend in teaching is on the more narrowly-focused forms of Hatha Yoga, which is fortunate if you are interested in learning how to integrate yogic practices into Pagan spirituality, as Hatha Yoga is an excellent place to start. Attending a Hatha Yoga class can be an excellent way to safely introduce yourself to the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits of yoga. Although many people attend their first yoga class for the health benefits, they then commit to it as a lifelong practice because of the spiritual benefits.

Yoga is an ancient practice that has been in use for thousands of years. It has guided the spiritual practices of millions of people from diverse traditions. From the fundamental value placed on personal integrity, to the self-discipline that uplifts the spirit, to the inner connection with Divine found through meditation, the practices of yoga are in complete accord with modern Pagan thought.

Flame RavenHawk has been teaching Shamanic Wicca for over a decade. Her hobbies include Yoga, Drumming (Middle Eastern Doumbek), Poetry, Gardening, and Cultural Anthropology. A collection of her writings can be found at her website at www.flamesfirepit.org.