Some trends naturally go together, their philosophies meld to complement and enhance each other. Yoga and Minimalism fit together perfectly like that, with many people who practice one of them, naturally adopting the other as well. In this article, we’re going to have a look at Minimalism to try to determine why it seems to fit so well with the yoga lifestyle.
What Is Minimalism?
There has been a lot of online fuss about it lately – about people who sell everything and live out of a suitcase – this is Minimalism. But, a woman who decorates her home with gorgeous and thoughtful pieces that are meaningful and carefully considered, is also practicing Minimalism.
Minimalism is about stopping careless consumerism and looking for deeper answers to the needs that drive the spending of so many people these days. It’s about deciding what’s important and ridding your life of what’s not; so that the important thing can shine. It’s about the value of experiences over stuff. It means that everyone’s Minimalism will look different, but they’re all equally valid. It also means that anyone who tries to judge another person’s minimalist path is missing the whole point of the exercise.
How To Practice Minimalism
Everyone’s path is different. Some people throw out all of their belongings in a day, while for others, it is a long process that may never be completed. Both of these approaches are equally valid. What is important is the journey. It is a learning to value what is really important and letting go of what’s not, and it applies to every aspect of your life, not just with the things you own and the things you continue to buy. Often, people who practice Minimalism do so in regards to their health, surroundings, belongings, finances, and relationships, slowly freeing themselves from everything harmful, worthless, or lacking in meaning.
Yoga And Minimalism
At its heart, yoga is a simple practice, and that is perhaps why people who practice Minimalism, often turn to its teachings. Despite the apparent explosion of yoga styles, accessories, and poses, yoga is really about moving your body in a way that feels very natural. It also encourages to focus on awareness, control, and self-knowledge that fits well with minimalist goals and beliefs.
You don’t need anything to do yoga, not even really a mat if your floor isn’t slippery. It is the ultimate minimalist form of exercise in that way. Also, it develops functional muscles – the muscles we need to move freely, rather than the muscles that just bulge and make you move stiffly. For these reasons and more, yoga seems like a perfect minimalist form of exercise. It can be a valuable tool as you travel down the path of Minimalism, both to train the body and the mind, to adapt to changing situations and beliefs.
Yoga encourages a return to the self, a concentration on core values and beliefs, rather than on external elements. These ideas fit well with the central ideas of Minimalism, which is why many yoga practitioners find themselves on the path of Minimalism without even realizing it. Even if you don’t want to get rid of all of your “stuff,” just paring down the amount of stuff you buy or keep with you, can put you in line with the central tenets of both these ways of living.
