Thousands of people are practicing yoga all over the world. What is it that draws people in? And more importantly why do people become so devoted.

I am one of those devotees! And I have asked myself that question a few times over the past 20 years! It’s a bit like trying to work out why you love someone, there are just so many reasons but at the same time no real reason at all!

But there is ONE thing that I think is the most powerful…..

Contentment.

Or Santosa in Sanskrit, which is the second of the 5 Niyamas (The Niyamas are the 2nd Limb of the 8 Limbs of Yoga according to the ancient Sage Patanjali’s Yoga Suntras)

In virtually all other activities we do there is a goal. To run faster, to tone your bottom so it looks like a perfect peach, to serve better and win your game, the adrenaline is pumping and the body poised for action. In ancient Tribal speak you are “Running from the Lion” In modern terminology the Stressors are high and the cortisol is in full flow!

And certainly in some forms of yoga you might be told by your teacher that you need to be able to do full Hanuman or wrap your leg around your head but YOU DON’T. Yoga isn’t about the sculpt of your deltoid or the depth of your hip openings!

You just need to breath, move (which may or may not be challenging) and then lie down, relax and be happy! And that is the best tonic for the world we live in today.

Yoga pulls you back from the edge. It’s what centres you, what grounds you, what stops your endless flight, the constant chatter. It allows your nervous system to slow down, chill out and just be.

So that is why I, along with Millions of others devote our time and energy to the Practice of Yoga.

Because through all the madness and rushing about, quite simply Yoga is a healing tonic unlike no other.