As age old wisdom directs… well, it depends!
Whether yoga and meditation are seen as two sides of the same coin or entirely distinct is a question that often arises on retreats, at teacher trainings or with a wonderful teacher over tea after class. I don’t think there’s a right answer. But I do love the question and consider it worthy of discussion.
At Modo, our approach to learning about the wisdom traditions is rooted in Buddhist and Yoga Philosophy. So if you’re into it – grab a bevvie and let’s dive in.
The Eight Limbs of Yoga
The first place this question leads is to a basic definition of Yoga. In the Yoga Sutra, Yoga is defined as having Eight limbs. Here they are in Sanskrit and English:
Yama – Ethical Precepts (think non harming, truthfulness)
Niyama – Personal Observances (think cleanliness, self motivation)
Pranayama – Conscious control of the Breath
Asana – Postures or Seat
Pratyahara – Awareness of the senses
Dharana – Focus
Dyana – Meditation
Samadhi – Deep Connection with all things
Colloquially in modern society, and especially in the West, “Yoga” means “postures.” For ease we use the word Yoga that way too. But – we do use it with awareness of its lack of exactitude.
At Modo, we are cognizant of the fact that yoga is much more than the postures, and aware that it’s great to love a practice for just the postures too!
The sneaky thing is that somehow through the years, or as one of my teachers used to say – through the lifetimes – an interest in the postures turns into infinite inquiry. Consider yourself warned muahahah. Haha!
What is Meditation?
“One (1) abides pervading the all-encompassing world with a mind imbued with loving-kindness, abundant, exalted, immeasurable, without hostility and without ill will. This is called the immeasurable deliverance of mind.” (2)
When we scratch the surface of Buddhist cannon, both ancient and more modern, we see the direct link between experiences of loving kindness, peace, connection, and simply being still. In Buddhist thought, meditation is a dedicated practice where one tethers to mindfulness or concentrated focus to navigate the choppy waters of the mind towards tranquility and deep awareness.
Meditation is that still space of consciousness where the chatter of the mind is perceived alongside an awareness of something greater than ourselves – like an innate knowing that all things are connected.
“Human beings, vegetables, or cosmic dust, we all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible piper.” Albert Einstein
Meditative vs. Meditation
The term “meditative” casts a broader net, capturing any activities that promote the essence of meditation—awareness, presence, concentration, focus and tranquility—even if it’s not meditation in the strictest sense.
Yoga Asana can be incredibly meditative. It nurtures a state of flow that draws us into the present, which is the very spirit of meditation.
How Can I Practice Meditation in a Yoga Asana Class?
So, can you meditate in a yoga class? When I was growing up, Dyana (or, meditation) was definitely a separate thing from yoga. You do your asana (postures) in order to prepare yourself to sit still and observe the chitta-vritti, or the fluctuations of mental formations.
This may be a controversial stance but after 25 years of practice my personal answer is YES! I think it is possible to meditate within an asana practice. There – I said it!
While your body moves through the asanas, you can choose to enter meditative awareness. Syncing breath with movement, acknowledging thoughts without attachment, and moving with intention — all these cultivate a meditative state.
I also consider Savasana a posture of meditation.
It’s like turning the volume down on life’s noise to listen to the subtler sounds of our inner world.
So how do I know if I’m in a state of meditation?
Something so fundamental to Modo’s core, is that we endeavor as teachers to offer a practice that is meditative and naturally leads to the experience of inner peacefulness. Even wisps of inner peace awaken the connection so revered in both Yoga and Buddhist texts.
If this seems far fetched, just wait and give yourself a bit of credit. It is possible to experience a moment of meditation, a moment of Enlightenment, a moment of Dharana, or deep focus. And chances are you have already had a moment like this in class.
Imagine your best savasana ever. Time disappeared and you were aware of your body and yet aware of so much more. Imagine getting up from that practice and ranting at your partner or being pissed at someone cutting you off. It doesn’t happen. Instead you think – hmm, they’re in a rush, or, must be rough to be so harried. I feel like that sometimes.
Connection is brightened with inner stillness. This, by the way, is the basis for Modo’s 6th pillar – Be Peace.
Peace inside leads to being active in creating peace on the outside. You know that your practice is meditative and that you are practicing Savasana as a meditation, when it leads you to your favourite version of yourself.
Yoga and Meditation can share a heartbeat.
When you pause in Triangle pose, you can soak in the silence. When you flow through a sequence of asanas, there is always a call inwards. So, is yoga meditation? It can be. The invitation is there. And this summons is an even greater reminder that our practice is not about the shape your body makes, but the shape you allow your consciousness to take.
I’m grateful to keep exploring, keep flowing, and keep this conversation in community going with all of you.
With love,
Jess
(1) I changed ‘he’ to ‘one’ for ease of readership for all gender spectrums
(2) “The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikaya,” which is the translation by Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi
Jess Robertson is Modo Yoga’s Co Founder, Senior Advisor, and Community Documentarian. She is also a writer, musician, yoga teacher and Co Founder of the New Leaf Foundation. She lives in Montreal, Canada with her 2 kids.