Definition
1) A Hindu theistic philosophy teaching the suppression of all activity of body, mind, and will in order that the self may realize its distinction from them and attain liberation. 2) A system of physical postures, breathing techniques, and sometimes meditation derived from Yoga but often practiced independently especially in Western cultures to promote physical and emotional well-being. (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yoga)
Personal Definition​
The Sanskrit word Yoga is translated as union or to yoke or join. Yoga is a practice of consciously placing our physical body in different physical postures so that we may stimulate the seven chakras or major endocrine glands within our bodies so that we may connect with the divine. In yoga we are working to find our balance in the chakras and in doing so we also find balance between our physical and spiritual lives. They say, "taking your practice off the mat". There are many styles of yoga such as: Hatha (a foundational, slow-paced practice ideal for beginners), Vinyasa (a dynamic, flowing style linking breath to movement), and Ashtanga (a rigorous, structured sequence) or Other popular variations include Iyengar (focused on precision and alignment using props), Yin (passive poses held for minutes to target connective tissue), Restorative (deep relaxation using extensive props), and Kriya (an ancient meditation technique focused on pranayama (breath and energy control) designed to rapidly accelerate spiritual development and induce a state of tranquility).
Definition
1) A Hindu theistic philosophy teaching the suppression of all activity of body, mind, and will in order that the self may realize its distinction from them and attain liberation. 2) A system of physical postures, breathing techniques, and sometimes meditation derived from Yoga but often practiced independently especially in Western cultures to promote physical and emotional well-being. (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yoga)
Personal Definition​
The Sanskrit word Yoga is translated as union or to yoke or join. Yoga is a practice of consciously placing our physical body in different physical postures so that we may stimulate the seven chakras or major endocrine glands within our bodies so that we may connect with the divine. In yoga we are working to find our balance in the chakras and in doing so we also find balance between our physical and spiritual lives. They say, "taking your practice off the mat". There are many styles of yoga such as: Hatha (a foundational, slow-paced practice ideal for beginners), Vinyasa (a dynamic, flowing style linking breath to movement), and Ashtanga (a rigorous, structured sequence) or Other popular variations include Iyengar (focused on precision and alignment using props), Yin (passive poses held for minutes to target connective tissue), Restorative (deep relaxation using extensive props), and Kriya (an ancient meditation technique focused on pranayama (breath and energy control) designed to rapidly accelerate spiritual development and induce a state of tranquility).
About the Author
​Hello family and friends,
​
My name is Stephen (also known as Steph or Steven). My story began in Houston, Texas, where I enlisted in the United States Army in 2009. I served with honor for 11 years (2009–2020), with deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, Qatar, and Africa. As a child, I had a highly inquisitive mind. I would spend hours taking my toys apart just to understand how they worked. I grew up in a catholic household and attended catholic school, but it was here I started picking up on some let’s call them inconsistencies of what was being said in mass and the actions of other adults around me. This realization pushed me away from Catholicism in my youth. As a teen my subconscious mind would frequently be looking in the occult section in Barns & Noble for some type of answers or secrets to life. Looking back, I believe this same curiosity of searching for answers was what would eventually lead me to walk my path with yoga. I always had this question “why was I here?’ in the back of my mind.​​​​​​​​​​​​
​ At age 16, I discovered meditation and astral projection through Wiccan and occult practices. I would stay up all night reading books on the subject, then practice late into the night by creating a “fire bath” with candles surrounding me in my room as I sat in meditation. I know it was odd behavior for a teenager — at one point, my mom even called my dad to ask what was going on with me. I would repeat affirmations to myself like, “I will master astral projection.” Then something profound happened: I had a dream that later played out exactly in waking life. At first, I brushed it off as déjà vu, but these experiences kept happening more frequently. Even though life eventually pulled me away from the practice during my adolescent years, I never forgot the breathing techniques. I continued using meditation to calm my mind before bed — a habit that still serves me well today.​​​​​​​
As I grew older, life threw more and more distractions my way. Eventually, I drifted away from my practices, and my old Wiccan book sat collecting dust at my dad’s house (I’m pretty sure he threw it out). It wasn’t until my life finally settled down here in Virginia Beach, and I met some fascinating people, that I found my way back. A few years ago, a series of powerful synchronicities guided me back to meditation after nearly 20 years away. My first session brought me to tears within the first 15 minutes. It felt like reuniting with a long-lost friend. That moment sparked a profound reaction inside me and marked the beginning of what I now call my spiritual awakening. Driven by this experience, I began studying chakras, yoga, and astral projection. I’m building this website as a way to channel my creative energy, document my experience publicly, and illuminate a possible path for others. While some may scoff in disbelief, to the true seeker I say: read and be wise. I’m not here to convert anyone — I simply invite you to look inward.
These days, I balance a full-time day job while training to become a certified yoga instructor. I am currently about 55% through my Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) program and expect to complete it this summer. It took me some time to understand what I was experiencing during my awakening. Having people, I could openly talk to about these topics made a huge difference. At times it felt like I was losing my mind, but turning to the teachings of masters such as Ram Dass, Sadhguru, Paramahansa Yogananda, and others helped ground me whenever I felt myself drifting too far. They weren’t exaggerating when they said this path is not for the faint of heart. Eventually, I realized life had been preparing me for this all along. My experiences blossomed into something beautiful — a life I wouldn’t trade for anything. There is much more to this life than we are told the more you look the more you will find.
