Yoga and Money

I have been studying and practising yoga for over 8 years now. I was first drawn to the discipline as a way to feel grounded during a transitional period in my life. Not only did I find physical fitness, but also discovered the glimmer of mental and spiritual enlightenment. Today I teach yoga, as well as practice, and many of my peers have been curious to know how I connect yoga and personal finance.

The truth is that the two mesh fluidly. Nowadays, most people yearn for the next big thing: the newer car, a bigger house, a nicer  wardrobe, or the latest technology. I too am guilty of thinking: “if I had this, then I could finally be happy.” But this type of happiness is fleeting. The minute you attain your most recent material goal, you discover something else you absolutely need in order to feel happy.

In yogic terms, the feeling of contentment is called Santosha. Elated happiness, like material gain, is fleeting; however contentment can provide a constant feeling of well-being. Instead of always wanting more, strive to feel content with what you have – no matter how little that may be – and recognize the importance of self-worth. Santosha can free us from the unhappiness of always hungering for more or for change.

At the root of it all, yoga affects my finances because it encourages a minimalist approach to life. Yoga teaches us that we are not our things. We are so much more than that.

MM