“The practice of asana clears the inner channels for prana to move freely and uninterruptedly. If the nerves are corroded and blocked with stress, how can prana circulate? Asana and pranayama practice removes the partition that segregates body and mind. Together they dispel darkness and ignorance. In a sense, it is asana practice that opens the gateway to perfection. It breaks the rigidity and hardness of the inner body. This allows the unrhythmic breath to become rhythmic, deep, slow, and soothing. Then pranayama, in its turn, clears and soothes the feverish brain, making way for reason and clarity of thought and lifting the mind toward meditation.”
~ B.K.S. Iyengar, Light on Life
The magic of yoga comes through its holistic approach of working everything at once. The breath and body connection creates a mindfulness that gets carried through every aspect of your life.
It all works together. To focus on one without the other will only leave you longing for something more. Do your yoga, my friend, and trust the process.
One step at a time towards bliss…