Yoga Beyond the Mat: A Morning Practice, and a Shift in Perspective
by Shilpa Reddy
We often think of yoga as movement (asana) or breathwork (pranayama)—and for many of us, that’s how the journey begins.
But yoga is a much broader system, one that’s been around for thousands of years because it continues to speak to the full range of the human experience.
Defined in the Yoga Sutras as the eight limbs of yoga, this path includes:
Yamas – how we relate to others (i.e. how not to be a jerk)
Niyamas – how we care for ourselves (i.e. how to be slightly less of a mess)
Asana – movement, whether the fiery power kind or the gentle rhythms of Flow & Restore
Pranayama – breathing… but on purpose
Pratyahara – turning the senses inward (by tuning out the noise—and maybe your inbox)
Dharana – focused attention (on one thing, not all the tabs)
Dhyana – meditation, not just spacing out
Samadhi – full presence or peace, allegedly
In my own practice, I touch several of these each morning: a few minutes of movement to settle my body, breath retention to steady the mind, chanting to draw my awareness inward, and meditation to help anchor the day.
It’s not long or elaborate, but it’s a quiet ritual that brings me back to myself—and helps me meet the rest of the day with a little more ease.
One of the most meaningful shifts I’ve experienced has come through aparigraha, the yama (the first of the eight limbs) of non-grasping.
For years, I silently ranked myself against classmates like I was running some internal LinkedIn leaderboard. Sometimes I came out on top (woo!), but mostly I felt behind. It was exhausting. I skipped my 10-year reunion because the comparison loop was too loud. I literally made myself invisible.
But over time, consistent, intentional practice has helped me loosen that grip - even if only a little.
Now I try to just show up. See people. Let myself be seen. And with that, there are moments—real ones—where I feel visible.
The time I spend on the mat helps me show up more fully off the mat. Yoga, in its fullness, is for breakfast prep, performance reviews, reunions, school drop-offs, and every awkward, human moment in between.
Reflection Question: Where in your life could a little less grasping make a difference?
