Yoga is a path of self-improvement and self-discovery, where through practice and discipline, we can transform ourselves. Renowned ParaYoga founder and Tantra Yoga scholar Rod Stryker teaches, “We’re not transforming into something we aspire to,” he says. “We’re transforming into the very thing that we are innately: our best Self.”
We are all in different stages in our lives and our personal development is an individual process. Yoga gives us tools to shed the habits and patterns which may be holding us back from being our best selves. This week’s Yoga Alchemy Program with Mark Morford is a deep dive into your own personal physical, mental, and emotional metamorphosis.
What is alchemy and how does it relate to your yoga practice? Alchemy is an ancient tradition which attempted to transform lead to gold or silver and on a broader level, studied man’s relationship to the universe and how to harness the energy of the cosmos to live longer. Part of the scientific philosophy of alchemy sought to link the stars and the earth to give man tools for metamorphosis. Alchemy has often been viewed as part science and part magic––if ordinary metal could be transmuted into precious metal, what could alchemy do for humans?
Many renowned yoga philosophers compared hatha yoga to alchemy. “The siddha is a spiritual alchemist who works on and transmutes impure matter, the human body-mind, into pure gold, the immortal spiritual essence.” – Georg Feurstein, “The Yoga Tradition, Chapter 18: Yoga as Spiritual Alchemy: The Philosophy and Practice of Hatha Yoga.”
Yoga as alchemy is a process where through yoga asana, pranayama, meditation, and commitment to growth you can yield benefits and become your healthiest self. The physical practice is the entry point to deeper change in your mind and your heart. Yoga positively impacts your nervous system, your circulatory system, your digestive system, and strengthens your bones and muscles. If you’re ready to create profound improvements in your physical, mental, and emotional bodies, yoga can be your alchemic pathway to transformation.
Just like changing lead into gold is not an endeavor for one who isn’t determined, metamorphosizing into your brightest self takes significant effort. Mark Morford’s 8-class program requires dedication, discipline, and sweat. If you’re ready to put in the work to shed whatever is holding you back and boost your energy on every level, this program is for you.