The Yogi in You

May 24, 2023 - Did you know that Yoga means union? This International Yoga Day, we ask Six Senses Yoga Master, Dorelal, how to reunite with the yogi in you. Why not join us in June for a journey through breathwork, movement, and emotional release?

Yoga has been documented throughout recorded history. Celebrated annually since 2015, June 21 marks International Yoga Day, preserving its rich cultural heritage while reminding us of the numerous benefits of practicing yoga. Yoga means to unite – creating oneness with your physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

There is a yogi in everyone

True to the theme of this year’s International Yoga Day – Humanity – Six Senses recognizes that yoga brings union with yourself and also connects people from diverse backgrounds. Yoga is a flexible practice, and for many, a lifestyle, suitable for people of all ages, physical abilities and fitness, and knowledge levels, due to its variations and accessibility. All you need to practice yoga, is, well you!

Dorelal Singh Thakur grew up in India, where yoga is deeply rooted in people’s culture and daily lives. We asked him what led him to yoga, “I was familiar with yoga from a young age, yet I never thought about pursuing it as a career until 1997, when I was 20 and met a yogi from the Himalayas during my graduation,” Dorelal shares. “Even though I studied medical science with aspirations of becoming a modern medical doctor, his vision for life and clarity of thought inspired me to explore yoga more deeply, thus beginning of my yogic journey.”

This year, most Six Senses properties, from Turkey to Thailand and India to Israel, are celebrating International Yoga Day in June through three specific themes – Breath, Move, Release - in addition to their regular daily schedule, to encourage everyone to adopt healthier habits, enhance overall health and well-being, and highlight the positive impacts on people’s lives through a sense of harmony and unity. Our yogis are highly qualified and experienced to help guide you safely in breathwork, movement, and emotional release through mindfulness. And all with a sense of fun and playfulness – no one minds if your downward dog is less than graceful.

June 20: Breathwork with Pranayama

Pranayama is the yogic practice of focusing on the breath. In Sanskrit, 'prana' means vital life force and 'yama' means gaining control. This pre-yoga class focuses on breathwork to prepare the body and mind. Various breathing exercises help calm the mind, reduce stress, and improve focus. Easing in, our yogis help support the beginner's body to elevate to more intermediate yoga poses as you breathe in the fresh air and exhale your worries away.

June 21: Movement with Yoga

These lessons fuse yoga Asanas (postures) designed to improve flexibility, strength, and balance. Movement classes demonstrate the various levels of experience and include a wide range of styles, such as Hatha, Vinyasa, and Ashtanga yoga. Move your way to better physical fitness and stronger mental clarity.

June 22: Emotional release through mindfulness and Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra, also known as yogic sleep, is a guided meditation technique practiced while lying down. After an action-packed day, this post-yoga session aids deep relaxation and emotional release. Yoga Nidra can reduce stress, increase self-awareness, and improve sleep quality, while delivering a restorative experience for the body and mind.

Transformation through continuation

Like all things in life, practice makes progress. To start yoga – even for a few classes while you’re with us – already opens the doors to new possibilities, but to experience yoga’s long-term and life-transforming effects is through continuation and consistency.

“When I began practicing yoga, I did so without any expectations, simply following my inner inspiration. As I continue my yogic journey, I discovered a deep life philosophy that helps me gain perspective and uncover the purpose of my existence,” says Dorelal. “How many people truly know why they are alive and have discovered their purpose? If you can confidently answer yes, then you likely do not get stressed by your current circumstances, as you are clear on your life's purpose. This is the transformative power of gaining clarity. Once you achieve this level of understanding, there is no fear, only peace.”

The future of yoga

With yoga existing since time immemorial, Dorelal shares his thoughts on how it might continue to evolve and transform not only individuals’ lives, but humanity as a whole. “To gain insight into the future of yoga, it's important to first understand what yoga is. While opinions may vary, I view yoga as a tool for managing all aspects of life and living. Some may consider yoga a religion, tradition, or belief, but like science, yoga transcends such labels and involves investigation, research, practice, and personal experiences. This is what has sustained yoga for thousands of years.”

He adds, “Through yoga, we learn alignment techniques and develop inner awareness and mindfulness, which will be crucial in the future when we may become over-reliant on our own artificially intelligent technology. Despite our advanced intellect as a society, we may still fail to find peace in our lives and end up living robotic lives without realizing. This is where basic elements of life, such as self-awareness and emotional harmony, need to be present to guide us to the next evolutionary process of being human.”

Ready to reunite with the yogi in you?

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