I think what we miss in the west is an overall infusion of ceremony and offering to something that is beyond ourselves. Perhaps that’s why yoga has become so popularised. My journey in yoga really began before I did a single asana. I was an observer from a young age. I wondered what was this idea of prayer? What good will it do? Sure in mass on Sundays we were taught to pray collectively for all the souls who suffer. It felt like no one had a say, just being told do this and goodness will prevail.
In Bali prayers to the Gods are as elaborate as they are simple. I think that is also the point of yoga practice and in turn what we strive to translate as teachers, whilst bringing creativity and the richness of the practice to our students. Practice won’t make you a good person necessarily but it will certainly let you know about your shortcomings. Perhaps there is the clue as to how yoga is the new tool in life. But what if we could bring it all down to that simple few chimes of a bell. I think that’s where we all would like to be.
