Yoga IS Meditation – a mindful journey within

A careful study of the practices of yoga, revealed most clearly in the Yoga Sutras, explains that yoga can only be considered yoga when the effort and focus is within, on the inner space, the internal. This is also termed the practice of meditation. It is not merely about noticing inner feelings but rather a particular connection with inner processes whereby you are actually moved or touched, not by sensual input alone, or in some cases not even at all.

Breath practices (pranayama) have been recommended as a key technique to touch the inner space. Additionally, completely honest and open self-reflection, self-awareness, and the willingness to catch your behavior and change it, is essential to what yoga is. The breath, with postures and cleanses, can cultivate such a process but equally you must be willing to engage, to look in, and to make any necessary change, which usually culminates in letting go, undoing, less rather than more. It is not more practice that is needed but well understood and insightful practice. At first all you will see are the elements of each practice.

It takes time, plus dedication, willingness, and love, for them all to come together. In time the elements of each technique, from posture, breath, and mindful practices, synergistically merge to give a meditative ‘soupy-mix’. How delicious. Meditation is yoga, practices done with awareness.

Paul Dallaghan
CEO & Co-Founder
Samahita International Co., Ltd

* Paul Dallaghan will be visiting and hosting a very special retreat at Cal Reiet in June 2020, stay tuned for more information!

Paul Dallaghan BIO

Yogi – educator – entrepreneur
Paul is one of the pioneering entrepreneurs in the wellness and well-being retreat world, having established Centered Yoga in 1999 in NYC and Samahita Retreat in 2003 in Thailand, leading the field in how yoga, fitness, body and mind hacks, detox, and meditation are all incorporated into the hospitality industry. Paul completed his initial academic studies in economics and business but due to an early personal experience of the inner nature of meditation he was driven on a personal search for meaning and what made sense in his life. For the past 25 years he has immersed himself in the path of yoga and meditation, studying and practicing at an advanced level, much of it in India, to become one of the world’s senior teachers of yoga (asana and pranayama breath) and meditative practices. He has had the good fortune to spend many rich years with his main teacher in pranayama and the meditative process, Sri O.P. Tiwari, and is now placed to carry forth these teachings and the tradition of Kuvalayananda. He was one of the dedicated few to spend many years living in Mysore in the old days of ashtanga vinyasa, certified, with an expertise in asana. He was selected by Emory University’s anthropology department, (Atlanta, GA, USA) for PhD work with a focus on the cultural and scientific aspects of yoga practice and knowledge. As an entrepreneur, scientist, and teacher, Paul values learning and sharing, helping others to enhance their lives. He is the happy father of two boys, believes everything you do in life should be based in joy and carried out with fun. He divides time between the US for studies, India for research, Thailand for teaching and business, and is frequently asked to speak and teach in many places around the world.