Why having a yoga community is important for your yoga practice
These days life changes all the time. Jobs are often temporary, and working from home can be isolating. We may live separated from our family and close friends and it’s not unusual to find oneself in a completely new city with very few social connections. All of these things mean we’re lonelier than ever, and as we get older it can be harder to meet people we truly connect with. Human beings are inherently social, and feeling disconnected from others can have a big impact on our mental health
That’s why finding your community is so important.
The Buddhist word for community is Sangha. Thich Nhat Hanh describes sangha as “a community of friends practising the dharma together to maintain awareness’. Being part of a community can give us a stronger sense of identity, and a feeling of purpose which can boost our self-esteem.
In the Ashtanga community, we come together to breathe, move and focus, and in doing so we become more aware of our inner world and our thoughts. this in turn improves our relationship with ourselves and others. As Thich Nhat Hanh says, we come together to grow roots and transform ourselves and society.
The wonderful thing about Ashtanga is that it’s practised similarly all over the world. There are so many places you can show up to practice, know what to do and immediately connect with others who love the practice as much as you do.
I’ve been part of the Ashtanga community for the best part of two decades. During that time, I’ve made wonderful friends from all around the world, without which I don’t think my practice would’ve continued in the way it has.
Here are some reasons why I think having this supportive yoga community is so important.
Your yoga community is a place of refuge and support
You can take refuge in your practice and your community. Whatever’s going on in your life you have that consistency. There’s a place for you to breathe and move, be held and perhaps receive some words of encouragement from your teacher, or fellow practitioner.
Being part of a community helps you to grow
Yoga is a path to internal growth. Living yoga philosophy, treating others with respect and kindness, looking after your body and cultivating a connection with your inner world are all part of yoga practice. In many ways, the capitalist nature of our society encourages us to do exactly the opposite, so when we connect with others on the same path, who share our values, it’s inspiring and it encourages us to keep going especially.
Practicing in a Shala keeps you motivated
Have you ever noticed how much harder it is to practice on your own at home than in a Shala?
Thich Nhat Hanh says that without sangha you lose your practice quickly. He’s talking about Buddhist sangha but the same is true of our Ashtanga practice. Being in the room with others inspires us to go deeper into our practice, and listening to the breath of fellow practitioners helps us cultivate our internal rhythm. This is what brings the mediative quality to our practice. Having friends to practice with keeps us motivated on the days when it feels hard, and we can offer the same support to them when they are struggling.
if your practice has dropped off lately heading back to a Shala, texting a yoga buddy or reconnecting with a teacher is the perfect way to get yourself motivated to start feeling the benefits of practice again.
A community inspires longevity in your yoga practice
Practising in a community or Shala means you meet others on the same path albeit at different stages. This can be inspiring, particularly when you first start. Meeting more experienced practitioners can be helpful because through them you’ll learn how to maintain a long-term practice. You can share advice with other practitioners on navigating different stages of life such as pregnancy, being a new mother or menopause.
Having a relationship with a teacher can also inspire longevity in your practice. Many years practicing and teaching means we can use our knowledge to help you on your yoga journey. Whether it’s navigating injury, breaking down challenging postures or answering questions about yoga philosophy, a good teacher can give you the support you need and will also know when to give you space, allowing you to cultivate a long-term healthy relationship to your practice.
What if you can’t get to a Shala regularly?
It’s not always easy to make it to a Shala, particularly if there isn’t one near where you live or work. Here are a few tips for staying connected if you can’t make it to a regular Mysore practice:
Connect with other members of the community through social media and set up a Zoom practice group.
Join an online Mysore program. Cathy at Ashtanga Yoga Glasgow teaches Mysore online as well as in person.
Try dropping into your closest Shala when you can, even if it’s once or twice a month.
Look out for special events and build a relationship with a teacher you connect with. That way if you have a question and you can’t make it to class you can always drop them an email.
Attend retreats or one-off events where you have time to socialise as well as connect with an experienced teacher. Check out my retreats page for upcoming events
If you’re travelling and looking for a place to practice visit Sharath’s list of Authorized Ashtanga teachers to find a teacher in the local area.
Are you based in London?
Join our community on weekday evenings at Astanga Yoga London, NW1.
