All human beings have the inner yearning for a fulfilled, happy and content life and the knowing/awareness of the self. Yoga offers this tremendous gift to us to move toward Self-realization, which bears in itself happiness and contentment. The vastness and magnitude of this great science and philosophy evokes humbleness and gratitude. All thinkable and even unthinkable aspects of existence can be circumspect through the practice of Yoga. The practice involves the physical, physiological, emotional, mental, biochemical, metaphysical, and spiritual discovery of the self, which leads at some point to the uncovering of the Self.

As we travel the voyage of uncovering the Self, we need a tool. One of the tools is given to us through the Sutras of Patanjali, 196 in numbers. The sage uses only a few words to state the essential. For example Sutra I.2: “Yogah citta vrtti nirodhah” and is translated by B.K.S. Iyengar as: “Yoga is the cessation of movements in the consciousness.” When we are quiet and at ease, in an effortless state, the thought waves can cease, we are able to observe, to meditate, to surrender and to do our duties with equanimity and magnanimity, inner peace and contentment.

Yoga offers us the exquisite opportunity to choose how to be and how to live life well. We are the decision- and choice makers as long we are not being slaves of our own mind, and the net work of thinking and behaviors. Yoga teaches us simplicity. Yet, yoga has the immeasurable truth-seeking concept as a foundation, as well as humbleness and open-mindedness. We can only experience the positive outcomes of Yoga through Yoga Sadhana. Sadhana is translated as the practice of the external, internal and innermost quest-- the search and exploration of the self.

Yoga offers the Asanas to study the body with all its functions, abilities and limitations. We learn how to breathe well through the art and science of Pranayama - how the breath influences the nervous system and the emotions. We develop sensitivity on all levels of our existence. We become skilled to feel and sensitize the space between manifestations and the purpose and meaning of equals and opposites. Maybe at some point we might come to the realization that happiness is a state of mind. My Teacher likes to say: “THE WONDERS WITHIN”.