CONNECTING TO A SENSE OF PURPOSE THROUGH THE TEACHINGS OF YOGA

Before you find your way, you must first know where you are. COMO Shambhala yoga teacher Azmi Samdjaga gives tips on how to maximise the benefits of the practice by setting clear intentions.

It is no secret that yoga has many health benefits, from preventing heart disease to relieving physical pain. About 80% of adults suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lives, and yoga provides much-needed relief. Yoga also reduces inflammation, even in people with chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

For COMO Shambhala yoga teacher Azmi Samdjaga, these benefits go beyond the physical, which he realised when he discovered Yin Yoga.

"I was inspired by the depth of the practice in terms of intuition, meditative state, stillness, contemplation, deep opening in the physical body and the strong sense of connection to oneself," shares Azmi.

The link between yoga and mental wellbeing is proven. Research has shown that people who practise yoga regularly have lower levels of cortisol — also known as the stress hormone. Yoga can also help relieve anxiety and manage depression.

Azmi, who has been teaching yoga since 2004, gives valuable advice on maximising the physical and mental benefits of yoga.

SET YOUR INTENTION 

When we are caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it can be easy to lose sight of what truly matters. This is why Azmi stresses the importance of setting an intention.

Doing so will help students find purpose and inspiration for their practice, keeping them grounded. "Do not take it lightly to set an honest intention for your practice because it will keep your journey purposeful," adds Azmi.

New yoga students are often surprised when their teacher asks them to set an intention for the class. However, this is crucial to help students align with why they are attending the class in the first place.

Azmi suggests that students should emphasise the importance of setting an intention and take time during the lesson to do so. "Take a few minutes to do it yourself," explains. "Whatever you intend to do, remind yourself to stay connected to your breath."

CULTIVATE ACCEPTANCE, TOLERANCE AND PATIENCE

Yoga is as much about the mind as the body, if not more so. For Azmi, it is crucial to bring a sense of lightness and joy to the practice, cultivating a sense of acceptance, tolerance and patience towards everything and everyone.

Pose variations will always be available to those with difficulties so they do not end up being a spectator or intimidated by other capable bodies. Welcome the need for a break when time calls for it in any restful pose. Nothing needs to be anything. If you fall, laugh and take a playful approach towards the practice. 

"Yoga works to illuminate these qualities and provides clarity in all our actions," says Azmi. For example, if you are late for a class, be prepared to accept the refusal to enter and be OK with missing the class. If you have questions or doubts, you should politely ask your teachers instead of criticising them.

By striving to convey kindness, compassion and mutual respect in your practice, you will be more willing to learn from others around you and reap the benefits of yoga.

BE CONSISTENT

As with many other things in life, consistency is the key to a fulfilling yoga practice. Each time we enter a posture, we learn from the past and are better able to anticipate the obstacles we may face.

For example, if we know that our shoulders are weak, we can better focus on those muscles when we adopt a particular posture. We learn how to tackle different challenges better. "The more we practise, the more likely we will return to the mat without too many doubts or dilemmas," advises Azmi.

The benefits of consistency can also extend beyond yoga. The more we practise, the better we understand ourselves, our ability to manage our lives and our capacity to see things from different perspectives. "We eventually become physically strong, mentally clear and spiritually connected," explains Azmi.

Ultimately, much of the ethos behind a holistic yoga practice is to be kind to yourself and others. At the same time, it is important to have a strong sense of purpose and to fulfil it by engaging in similar activities on a regular basis.

While these tips are easier said than done, they will undoubtedly help any yoga student to maximise the positive effects of yoga on the body, mind and spirit. Azmi leaves us with a warm reminder: "In short, remember that we practise yoga to dissolve stress, not to create it."

Book a mindfulness session with yoga teacher Azmi Samdjaga. At COMO Shambhala, our focus on holistic wellness blends contemporary science with ancient healing. Learn more about our suite of yoga classes and make transformational shifts today.