Yoga is unity, union. It is the reality of the entire universe; I am yoga, you are yoga.
Yoga is not an exercise. It is not an activity. You don’t have to ‘disconnect’ from the universe, nor is it possible. Sure, you can put your phone down for a bit. But you are always connected. There is nothing to connect. Just be aware, that’s all.
You do not need a perfect body* to practice yoga. In fact, whatever body you have right now is the perfect body to use to start or continue your practice. Sure, it is possible to improve your body using yoga exercises. But this can be seen as a side benefit compared to the most important spiritual benefits.
(* if you have a different body type to the ones you see on this site, please send us your pictures. We post the photos that we receive from our guests, but unfortunately we mostly receive submissions from fit 20-50 year olds. It is not our intention to make anyone feel excluded. So please help us make everyone feel welcome by sending your photos to show that everyone can and should enjoy yoga’s benefits.)
Any method or system that helps to become aware is a ‘yoga exercise’. There are many old methods: tantra yoga, kundalini yoga, karma yoga, bahkti yoga, jnana yoga, hatha yoga, to name a few. A man named Patanjali consolidated several old systems in Ashtanga Yoga, literally eight paths. Sadly, his eight-fold method has been diluted: the six most important methods have been mostly forgotten. Today only two paths are taught in most yoga schools, the most commercially viable ones. Sadly, many yogis miss out on some of the greatest benefits of a full yoga practice.
Our system, Vida Lotus, is a nine-part system to generate consciousness. We are teaching the essence of yoga. (Though we don’t always use the word yoga, to avoid comparing ourselves to other yoga centers.) We teach you to better know your essence, and to enjoy multiple physical, mental and spiritual benefits.
Michael Ducharme – yoga peacock pose * Mayurasana
As for the physical, yoga can give you a stronger, more toned, balanced and pain-free body. Furthermore, yoga prevents and cures a number of diseases. As for the mental, yoga takes away stress and lets you relax to live and sleep in peace. It is worth mentioning that the spirit never requires healing. The yoga exercises, and all the rules of Vida Lotus, belong to the body-mind, so that this dynamic duo is aligned with the spirit. The body and mind must always be at the service of the soul. And so it will be when you satisfy your nine human needs.