Karma Yoga 2025
Kindness with expectation is kindness ruined.
True goodness expects nothing in return.
Karma means duty, yoga means union.
Lose yourself in goodness, and you’ll find unity.
Karma Yoga
Every year in class we explore the theme of Karma Yoga. This is one of the paths of yoga described in the Bhagavad Gita as Karma Yoga.
The Hindu spiritual text “The Bhagavad Gita”, is a manual for how to live life, teach and practise yoga; conquer thoughts and be patient. It teaches that whatever path we are on and wherever we are on that path it’s ok.
Karma Yoga may be described as trying one’s best without being attached to the outcome, considering all options, and then choosing the right one. It is the path of unselfish action which in turn is thought to purify the mind.
“No effort ever goes wasted, there is no failure.”
The secret of Karma Yoga is to forget yourself and to place others first. This way Karma Yoga will be easy, and we will all be at our happiest. I find this theme particularly helpful as the Christmas season approaches and we can become caught up in gifting presents. Karma Yoga focuses on inner attitude and the harmony of the mind with which the act is performed.
Karma Yoga purifies the heart and counteracts the ego. It involves the principle of all work being presented as an offering, without thought of personal reward. There are four principles:
- Right attitude.
- Right motive.
- No focus on results.
- Serve self in all.
Karma is often thought of as “what goes around comes around” which is very different from the Yogic view of our actions not being based on personal desires/rewards. Our ordinary actions are performed to nourish the universe that has nourished us. The results of our actions become a spiritual offering rather than hoarding the results for ourselves. Karma is both action and the result of action. Our daily tasks and responsibilities are done in a balanced manner with awareness. Our decisions require a stable mind to help perform the right actions. The final goal with all kinds of actions is to stay detached and this can be mastered through a daily yoga routine.
Karma Yoga can be practiced better when knowledge is shared. In yoga the practice of each yoga pose will communicate different feelings, emotions, thoughts, etc., and we are taught to connect to these. Understanding them and realising their importance can help us practice Karma Yoga as part of our day-to-day activities and actions.
Yoga on the mat should help build the right connections with the body and mind, building complete awareness. This should further build stability and balance. When the mind is in balance while on the yoga mat, the same should be carried out when off the yoga mat. Thus, the impact on the body and mind when on the yoga mat can be carried throughout our day-to-day activities in life.
The feelings and emotions are different when entering a pose compared to releasing from a pose. As we become aware of these differences. By listening to our bodies, thoughts, emotions, we can become aware of the differences. Yoga that is practiced on the mat with knowledge and awareness will benefit when practiced off the mat, therefore encouraging the practice of good Karma Yoga.
This month in class we will practice certain yoga poses that brings deep stretch to the muscles and also balance in the body. While we connect to these stretches, can we stay detached from the body and continue with the practice without hesitating. Eventually with meditation, we may be able to become completely stay detached to both our body and our emotions.
With practice, we can learn to surrender and accept, bringing about this attitude in their everyday life believing that everything in the universe contains energy and life, and needs to be respected.
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