YOGA OF DEVOTION

Devotion can be a charged notion, particularly if one has some unpleasant religious association with it. The yoga of devotion tells the story a little differently.

In my view, it is not so much a question of “if” one has faith and devotion, but rather, faith and devotion towards “what?” Institutions? Science? The phone? Family? Divinity?

As a yoga practice, devotion is a way of de-centering attention away from oneself–and all its finite assumptions–and placing it on a larger force or ideal, a greater cosmic order perhaps.

In yoga class, I often hear an invitation for everyone to “set your intention.”  In that moment, I sometimes yearn that we may unite our devotions towards a shared higher principle such as “Intrinsic-Love,” “Peace,” or “Acceptance.”  Maybe there is some singular and trusted-enough principle we can unite upon.

This tends to happen organically at the end of class, when there is a shared moment of silence, and is often the richest instant in class.  Why not share the connective spirit of the yoga of devotion at the beginning as well? United, behind one prayer.

Devotion, while not commonly given credence in many spaces, can magnify our connection to the deeper ethos of yoga.