Whenever we get into yoga or do some pranayama, we enhance our power of controlling our body, breath, and concentration. In a similar vein, the further we explore the philosophy of yoga, the more we find ourselves eating, sleeping, loving and thinking like yogis.

In case you have been longing to find some practical methods of integrating all the branches of yoga in your day-to-day life, then it may be time for you to find out how to live a yogic life. The meaning of Yogic Lifestyle is living with balance, discipline, and inner peace.

What is a Yogic Lifestyle?

Yogic lifestyle is a deliberate effort to transform our attitudes, habits, and lifestyles, in general, to be more aligned with the philosophies, principles, morals and ethics of yoga. Although the way we all adopt a yogic lifestyle will be very individual, there are a couple of rules that we can all abide by.

To begin with, the lifestyle decisions made by yogis must lead them to the state of sattva or equanimity and inner-peace. Secondly, one should make their body healthy, mind focused, and heart calm. Finally, the lifestyle that is based on yoga must be supportive of yoga, truth, and spiritual knowledge. Yogic Lifestyle Philosophy teaches harmony between body, mind, and soul.

The yogic way of life does not imply that one has to go to an ashram or become a reclusive hermit on a mountain. Depending on which stage of yoga you are undertaking, your lifestyle will be comparable and aligned with that stage. The transition to a yogic life can also be a slow process, as you need depending on the situation you are in today in life. What is a Yogic Lifestyle can be understood as a life guided by yoga principles. Being truly dedicated to the practice of the yogic lifestyle can ultimately make you move, eat differently, change your jobs and make new friends- when it is supposed to be so, then you will reach there with time. Principles of Yogic Living include truth, non-violence, purity, and self-control.

How to Live a Yogic Life?

You will be required to deepen your breadth and depth of knowledge on yoga in order to incorporate yoga into your day-to-day life. Above all, you will be required to have a working knowledge of the yamas and niyamas and other major yogic philosophies. You will also need to come up with tools and techniques for mastering control of your body, breath, thoughts, words and actions. The eight limbs of Yoga describe the complete path of spiritual development in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

Eat like a yogi

Conventionally, a yogic diet is vegetarian or vegan; what is more important is to reduce tamasic animal protein and increase sattvic and nutrient-dense fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. Ideally, you need to attempt to eat organic, minimally processed, in-season, and locally-grown food. The yogic way of life focuses on simplicity, awareness, and spiritual growth. Yogis will also desire to fine-tune their diet in accordance with their Ayurvedic dosha. Having a meal like a yogi will not only help you in your yoga practice, but will also keep you feeling vibrant, energized, calm, and centered throughout your day as well. Yoga philosophy explained helps us understand the deeper purpose of life.

Sleep like a yogi

A yogi needs to get at least eight hours of sleep so that he or she can have a focused and clear mind, a rested and energized body, a strong immune system, and a happy heart. Ideally, a yogi would set their sleeping time to be in a position to rise at the time of sunrise, the most appropriate time of the day to practice yoga or meditation.

Spiritual lifestyle in yoga encourages meditation and self-reflection. In order to have a deep and peaceful sleep, the yogis must strive to reduce mental stimulation at bedtime, but rather participate in light and positive activities such as reading, light yoga or guided meditation. Yamas and Niyamas are moral rules mentioned in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

Love like a yogi

The five yamas, moral, ethical and societal codes of conduct that the practising yogi must embrace and practice, are helpful in the establishment of authentic, intimate, compassionate and sustainable healthy relationships. Non-violence towards other people helps to hurt less and instill trust.

Telling the truth to other people makes us open and direct in communication. Benefits of a yogic lifestyle include better health and mental clarity. The more we are involved in reducing greed and unhealthy craving, the more we can become kind, generous and thankful for others. Yogis are also strong and wise enough to abandon toxic and unhealthy relationships that cause them unnecessary turmoil in their hearts and minds.

Think like a yogi

Although an asana practice will aid in the strengthening and sharpening of your mental focus, a regular meditation practice will also enable you to master your mind, which will provide you with a better understanding of your emotions, enabling you to control them better.

The daily routine of a yogi usually starts with early rising and meditation. Developing concentration and focus not only stabilises the mind and makes it clear, but it can also enhance your creativity, productivity and happiness. Nonjudgmental awareness during the day will lead to a more peaceful and fuller life, and will make you avoid using a lot of time and energy in overthinking negativity.

Uniting the yamas and niyamas

The Yamas and Niyamas of Patanjali are interpreted as codes of behaviour and attitude and do not aim to be disciplines of the sort, but as a means of providing a harmonious and serene ashram atmosphere, which is conducive to the growth of the personality and the practice of yoga and a yogic way of life. Sattvic lifestyle promotes pure food, positive thoughts, and peaceful living.

YAMAS: codes of behaviour in the community 

Ahimsa: intent to harm, non-violence

Ahimsa refers to love, a lack of hostility, enmity and any malevolence. Mindful living through yoga teaches awareness in every action. The purpose of the ashram is to work and live together, respect the differences in belief, culture and lifestyle and to be flexible in every situation. It also implies that one should not think negatively about oneself or other people, and increase self-acceptance and self-worth. Ahimsa would also involve non-killing of animals, i.e. vegetarian diet is taken.

Satya: truth: in thinking, in speech, in deed

In the process of communication with others, we should make an effort to tell the truth, be open and tell it as it is. This simply implies the development of awareness and, therefore, being mindful of what we say; weighing up our words. Ancient yogic wisdom comes from sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita.

Asteya: honesty and virtue

The yogic virtue of honesty implies not to steal, not to steal material goods, not to steal ideas or intellectual property of another person; not to cheat in any form, not to coerce and take advantage of others. It is greed that drives the need to steal or to exploit, and in case one is even jealous of the place or the relationship of another, it is because he is not satisfied.

Brahmacharya: Yogic self -mastery in all of sexual behaviour and sensory restraint

Brahmacharya has been misconstrued by most people to mean forced celibacy. It is when one conserves their energies and later converts the sexual energy to a spiritual energy. In fact, an individual can still be a brahmacharyi when he or she has a sexual act. As an instance, some have vowed self-celebacy, but ponder all the time of sex; it is not brahmacharya. Sexual desire is a cumulative of vital energy. Holistic living with yoga supports the complete well-being of body and mind.

After the sexual intercourse, in most cases one is empty of this life-giving energy, but, had one the control of these senses, one can choose to use the same energy in meditation where the impressions here would be extended and emphasized. A brahmacharyi may have a sexual relationship, and at the same time form his or her consciousness in the ultimate reality.

Aparigraha: non-possessiveness and relinquishing

This virtue involves you developing non- greed and non-attachment. Only necessary things should be kept, and everything should be discarded. It is a condition associated with need, as opposed to desire or want. This discipline is also related to generosity. Begin to give out material things which you are not using.

Yoga and self-discipline go hand in hand for personal growth. Give also in terms of time and energy, by offering it to others with no strings attached. The ashram creates an atmosphere of goodwill and support for everyone. Aparigraha helps us to release old-fashioned thinking patterns, prejudices, and to forgive ourselves and others.

NIYAMAS: personal behaviour codes

Shaucha: purity of the heart and of the body

Other than maintaining the physical body and our surroundings clean, such a also considers the development of clean thoughts, words and deeds and the absence of negative thoughts, feelings and actions towards ourselves and other people. The path to self-realization is achieved through dedication and inner awareness.

Tapas: austerity

Austerity makes the body healthier, and the mind used to endure hardship and pain when it comes without being flustered. In his book, Patanjali also teaches the student to get rid of impurities in the body and mind by practising some tasks like panchagni (the five fires) that burn the impurities on the body, mind, and emotions. But this is not a practice that any person can do. What is the true meaning of a yogic lifestyle? It means living with purity, compassion, and self-awareness.

Swadhyaya: the self-study and self-inquiry

The desire to know the self is called swadhyaya, and is echoed in the famous ancient Greek saying Know Thyself. Yogic practices and philosophy can help us start being closer to ourselves. It is also encouraged to study great saints, sages and philosophers to motivate you to become better people.

What does living a yogic lifestyle mean in daily life? It means practising kindness, balance, and mindfulness every day. He recommends initially observing yourself, your intentions, your way of thinking, feeling and behaving, then accept these things in yourself, see what habits, behaviour or mental programming result in blockages or unhappiness, and then start correcting them in yourself: “Self-observe, self-accept, self-correct.”

Ishwara pranidhana: faith in a force or reality greater than oneself; surrender

This is a belief in the supreme reality beyond oneself. The perfection of this niyama allows us to give the higher mind to the lower mind, which eliminates the ego identity we possess and calms the mind.

The beautiful singing of bhajans, kirtan, the Mahamrityunjaya mantra (healing mantra) and other shows are offered at the ashram, where we can experience and practice Bhakti Yoga; the devotion of the emotional energy towards a higher reality of life. How to live a yogic lifestyle in modern times, and the difference between yoga practice and yogic lifestyle shows that yoga is not just exercise but a complete way of life.

Conclusion

Yogic lifestyle does not mean life of practising asanas on a mat- it is a whole body, mind, and spirit lifestyle. Basing itself on the ancient wisdom of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and the Bhagavad Gita, it promotes conscious decisions, well-balanced practices, ethical behaviour, conscious eating, discipline, and inner knowing.

In the modern-day hectic lifestyle, a yogic lifestyle provides a strong remedy to stress, lack of balance and disconnection. It doesn’t matter how small your daily rituals are or how meaningful your spiritual commitment is; the point is that, regardless, you live intentionally, clearly, and in harmony with your higher self. How yogic lifestyle improves mental and physical health explains that regular practice reduces stress and strengthens the body.

FAQs

What is the real definition of a yogic lifestyle?

Yogic lifestyle is a complete method of living that incorporates physical well-being, psychological sanity, emotional stability and spirituality. It transcends the yoga poses and encompasses moral values, conscious practices, a nutritious diet, and meditation.

Does a yogic lifestyle mean doing yoga postures?

No. Asanas (performing physical poses) are one part of the yogic lifestyle, but pranayama (breathing exercises), meditation, appropriate diet, self-control, and adherence to moral codes like the yamas and niyamas outlined in classical yoga philosophy are also components of the yogic way of life.

Is it necessary to be religious to lead a yogic life?

No. The yogic way of life is religious but not always spiritual. It is concerned with self-knowledge, inner development and universal values as opposed to following a particular religion.

What are the main foundations of a yogic life?

The key principles include:

• Ahimsa (non-violence)
• Satya (truthfulness)
• Aparigraha (non-attachment)
• Saucha (cleanliness)
• Tapas (discipline)
• Mindful eating and living
• Consistent meditation and breathing exercises.

What is a yogic diet?

The yogic diet is generally based on fresh, natural and plant foods which are easy to digest and which enhance clarity of mind. It tends to shun over-processed, too spicy or heavy dishes.