Awe plays a vital role in yoga by helping to cultivate a sense of wonder and reverence for the practice. It is a powerful emotion that can inspire connection, gratitude, and humility and help us tap into a more profound sense of purpose and meaning.
A Practice
“When you are in awe of something,
you are aware of your own limitations and at the same time
open to the limitless possibilities that exist.”
– B.K.S. Iyengar
In yoga, this reverence manifests in many different ways. It can come from the beauty of the natural world, such as the sight of a sunrise or the sound of the ocean. It can also come from the sense of community and support we feel when practicing with others or from the sense of accomplishment and growth that comes from pushing ourselves beyond our current limits.
One way that awe presents itself in yoga is through the practice of asana or physical postures. When we move our bodies in new and challenging ways, we can feel a sense of awe at the power and resilience of the human body. We may also feel a sense of wonder at the beauty and complexity of the postures themselves and how they help us access different parts of ourselves.
Meditation and pranayama (breathing) practices also inspire awe. When we sit in stillness and observe our thoughts and emotions, we may become aware of the vastness and mystery of our inner selves, leading to a sense of awe and wonder.
Ultimately, the role of awe in yoga is to help us connect with something greater than ourselves, whether it is the natural world, our fellow practitioners, or our inner selves. By cultivating a sense of awe and reverence for the practice, we can deepen our connection to it and to the world around us.
“The practice of yoga is a continuous journey into the unknown,
a journey that fills us with wonder and awe.”
– Rolf Gates
Looking for more inspiration? Check out Yoga: Off the Mat
References:
- Keltner, D., & Haidt, J. (2003). Approaching awe, a moral, spiritual, and aesthetic emotion. Cognition and Emotion, 17(2), 297-314.
- Brown, K. W., Ryan, R. M., & Creswell, J. D. (2015). Mindfulness: Theoretical foundations and evidence for its salutary effects. Psychological Inquiry, 26(4), 211-237.
- Ivtzan, I., & Papantoniou, G. (2019). The role of awe in well-being and positive psychology. Journal of Happiness Studies, 20(3), 933-947.