Years ago when we finally moved into our own little house after years of renting, I was excited to finally be able to decorate my space. The book, Altar Your Space, became the voice of my soul and eventually the voice of my space transforming it into a sanctuary. “By joining spirit and purpose, you can transform your home into a relaxing, even sacred place where form and function blend into a unique life-affirming haven”, said Jagatjoti Khalsa. I didn’t need to create just one sacred nook. My entire house became this peaceful sanctuary which friends and family began to call sacred vibration. 

As yoga teachers and practitioners we are often called upon to create a perfect setting in our class or a corner in our homes dedicated to our sadhana. We choose to energize it with incense, flowers, idols or pictures of divinity. What we are really doing is creating the necessary emotion of devotion within us known as bhava in yoga. 

But do we just focus on creating this altar only in the limits of our physical realm or do we extend this creation towards our inner space as well? I think more so than ever, we need to focus on altaring our inner sanctuary and yoga gives us so many tools to achieve that.

The yamas and niyamas of Ashtanga Yoga call for social and personal conduct that help create that purpose within us leading towards inner transformation. Creating a daily sadhana or ritual of morning or evening meditation, asana practice or simple breath-work further enhances the tranquility of our inner reality.  Keeping good company of like-minded friends (satsangha) and spending time reading scriptures and introspection (svadhaya) deepens our inner peace and connection to source. Mantras and chants allow us to vibrate in the world of nada or sound energy, anchoring us in a state of joyful being with our sincere devotion and authentic selves as an offering to the divine. 

Spending time in nature is always rewarding. Mother nature is our source of creation and grounding energy. Just connecting with the energy of trees, the sounds of the birds, the scent of pine, flowers and natural oils from the herbs growing around, the healing sound of flowing water from a nearby brook and the vibrant green, brown and a multitude of colors touching our heart center is always so soothing and energizing. 

In Japan, they follow a practice called shinrin-yoku where ‘shinrin’ is forest and ‘yoku’ is bath. Shinrin-yoku or forest bathing is more than just a walk or a hike in nature. It’s a process of immersing yourself to the process of  fully awakening all of your senses, to be able to feel the oneness and natural connection to nature or Devi.  With our senses wide awake and vibrant, we then naturally allow ourselves to connect to the subtle vibration of the senses inwards and open ourselves to the oneness of the divine in Samadhi. 

So whether you choose to altar your outer space or your inner space, may your journey be blessed with the union with source. 

In the words of Jagatjoti, “Because the sacred responds to our intention and faith”.

With love Mitchelle