🌿 Living Yoga Every Day

Elodie Abadie • 1 décembre 2025

🌿 Living Yoga Every Day

What if yoga wasn’t just about postures?
What if, beyond the mat, this ancient practice became a way of inhabiting your life — acting with awareness, breathing with presence, and connecting deeply to yourself and the world around you?
Through its eight branches, yoga offers far more than a series of physical exercises.
It’s a complete philosophy of life, a daily art of living, and an inner compass to navigate with balance, authenticity, and serenity.

In this article, you’ll rediscover the 8 limbs of yoga — known as Ashtanga Yoga — and learn how each one can transform your life, step by step, breath by breath.

1. Yama: Harmony with the World

The Yamas are the foundations of yoga — universal ethical principles that guide our relationships with others and with the environment.
They remind us that yoga begins not on the mat, but in our actions, words, and intentions.


Here are the 5 Yamas and how to live them every day:

  • Ahimsa (non-violence): Choose kindness. Speak gently to yourself and avoid judgment of others.
  • Satya (truth): Be honest, even when it feels uncomfortable. Authenticity brings inner peace.
  • Asteya (non-stealing): Respect others’ time, energy, and ideas — as well as your own.
  • Brahmacharya (moderation): Channel your energy toward what truly nourishes your soul.
  • Aparigraha (non-attachment): Let go of control. The less you cling, the freer you become.


💡 Every time you choose compassion over reaction, you practice Ahimsa. Every time you speak your truth, you practice Satya.


2. Niyama: Harmony with Yourself

The Niyamas represent personal attitudes that support inner balance and self-awareness.
They invite you to cultivate discipline, clarity, and gratitude.

  • Saucha (purity): Cleanse your space, your body, and your thoughts. Outer order brings inner clarity.
  • Santosha (contentment): Appreciate what you already have — here, now, in this moment.
  • Tapas (discipline): Stay committed to your practice, even when motivation fades. True transformation begins there.
  • Svadhyaya (self-study): Observe yourself without judgment — your thoughts, habits, and reactions.
  • Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender): Release the need to control everything. Trust life’s rhythm.


💡 Taking five minutes in the morning to breathe, journal, or stretch mindfully — that’s already Tapas and Svadhyaya in action.


3. Asana: Living in Your Body with Awareness

The asanas, or postures, are only one branch of yoga.
They are the bridge between body and mind.

Practicing asanas means listening to your body instead of forcing it, finding balance between stability and ease (sthira-sukham asanam).


💡 When you walk consciously, sit upright, or breathe deeply, you are already practicing Asana.


Yoga begins the moment your body becomes a place of awareness.


4. Pranayama: The Breath of Life

Pranayama is the art of conscious breathing.
“Prana” means life force, and “yama” means control.
It’s the practice of mastering the breath to harmonize your energy and calm the mind.


Try this now: Inhale deeply through your nose, hold for two seconds, then exhale slowly.
You’ve just balanced your nervous system and quieted your thoughts.


💡 In daily life: Breathe before replying to a stressful message. Take three deep breaths before a meeting. Exhale whenever tension builds up.
Your breath is your anchor.


5. Pratyahara: Turning Inward

In a world filled with noise, screens, and constant stimulation, Pratyahara is a breath for your mind.
It’s the withdrawal of the senses — the art of turning inward.


💡 Each time you put your phone down, take a silent walk, or sit quietly for a few minutes, you’re practicing Pratyahara.


It’s not about escaping life — it’s about reconnecting to what truly matters.


6. Dharana: The Art of Focus

Dharana is the ability to concentrate your attention on one thing at a time.
It’s the foundation of meditation.


💡 When you’re fully present — cooking, walking, breathing — you’re already practicing Dharana.


That focused attention creates a rare inner peace, what yoga calls ekagrata, the clarity of mind.


7. Dhyana: Effortless Meditation

Dhyana is meditation, but not in the rigid sense.
It’s a natural, effortless flow of awareness.


💡 In the morning, sit down, close your eyes, and observe your breath. Don’t try to change anything. Just be.


Gradually, silence arrives, the mind softens, and you connect with a deeper presence.


8. Samadhi: Inner Union

The eighth limb, Samadhi, represents a state of total unity — when your body, mind, and consciousness merge as one.
It’s not a goal to achieve, but an experience to live.


💡 You’ve probably felt glimpses of Samadhi before — watching a sunset, dancing freely, or feeling pure love.


That’s union. That’s yoga.


Yoga as a Way of Life

Yoga isn’t an escape — it’s an invitation to live more consciously.
To breathe before reacting.
To move with presence.
To love without expectations.
To slow down and feel more deeply.

You don’t need to be flexible or know Sanskrit mantras.
You just need to want to live with awareness.


💫 Yoga isn’t a posture.
It’s an attitude.


Conclusion: Yoga Begins Where Life Happens

The 8 limbs of yoga aren’t steps to climb — they’re doors to open, one breath at a time.
They help you inhabit your body, calm your mind, and align your actions with your heart.


So today, instead of doing yoga,
👉 What if you decided to live yoga?


Explore how to bring this philosophy into your daily life through our Yoga Danse and Yoga Vinyasa trainings — where movement, breath, and awareness come together beautifully:
🌿 www.yogadanse.eu


Because in the end, the most beautiful ashram… is your own life.


Namaste 🪷

Yoga Alignment: Beyond the Postures

par Elodie Abadie • 17 novembre 2025
You might think that alignment in yoga means placing your knee perfectly above your ankle, keeping your hips square, and your spine long and straight.
But what if it was so much more than that? In our culture of “doing things right,” alignment is often reduced to a technical cue — a matter of perfect lines and precision.
Yet in yoga, true alignment goes far beyond the body .
It extends into the breath, the energy, the emotions — and the way you connect to yourself. This article invites you to revisit this word we hear everywhere and rediscover its deeper meaning — on your mat and in your life.

Simple Yoga: Returning to What Really Matters

par Elodie Abadie • 3 novembre 2025
What if we practiced yoga to return to simplicity? 
Not to perform.
Not to master a thousand postures.
Not to impress.
But to come back to what truly matters: one breath, one presence, one body we truly listen to. Today, yoga is often seen as a performance discipline — associated with the image of the perfect body or the most advanced pose. 
Yet, in its essence, yoga is a practice of awareness and unity .
It’s not about doing more, but about being more present. This article invites you to drop the masks, let go of the “shoulds,” and rediscover yoga as a path back to yourself — to slowness, to simplicity, and to truth.

Emotional Release Through Movement

par Elodie Abadie • 20 octobre 2025
What if your body had messages that your mind can’t put into words?
What if free movement was a doorway to everything you feel deeply but don’t dare to express? The body remembers.
The body speaks.
And sometimes, all it takes is letting it move differently so it can finally set itself free. In this article, let’s explore the emotional intelligence of the body, the blocks that manifest through physical tension, and the power of spontaneous movement to bring back breath, clarity, and inner peace.

Dancing Your Yoga: Freedom and Expression

par Elodie Abadie • 6 octobre 2025
What if your yoga mat became more than just a space for postures?
Imagine it as an inner playground, a sacred space where you can move differently, breathe deeply, and express yourself freely. Dancing your yoga is a unique practice that blends free movement, breath awareness, and spontaneous creativity.
It’s a yoga that both grounds and liberates.
A yoga that isn’t limited to “doing it right,” but one that invites you to feel, create, and vibrate. In this article, discover what it means to dance your yoga, the benefits of this practice, and how to integrate it into your daily life.

How to Overcome the Fear of Failure?

par Elodie Abadie • 29 septembre 2025
The fear of failure affects everyone, regardless of age, background, or life path. It often prevents us from taking action , seizing opportunities, or truly believing in ourselves. Combined with the fear of judgment from others, it can become paralyzing if we don’t learn how to understand and transform it. In this article, let’s explore why the fear of failure exists, what the signs are, what failure can teach us, and above all, how to overcome it to regain confidence, serenity, and motivation.

Yoga: Why and How to Set an Intention

par Elodie Abadie • 22 septembre 2025
I n yoga practice, every posture (asana) and every breath carries a deeper meaning. But there is one tool that makes your practice even more powerful: setting an intention. More than a simple ritual, an intention acts like an inner compass. It guides your energy, directs your mind, and transforms your yoga session into a true experience of awareness and alignment. 👉 In this article, you’ll discover why setting an intention in yoga is essential , how to formulate it effectively, when to use it, and the benefits it can bring both to your practice and to your daily life.

Intuitive Dance: Rediscovering Inner Freedom

par Elodie Abadie • 15 septembre 2025
Intuitive dance is attracting more and more people seeking well-being, creativity, and release. But what exactly is it? As its name suggests, it is a dance guided by intuition rather than an imposed choreography. Here, there are no rules, no codes, no aesthetics to respect. You move freely, in tune with your sensations, emotions, and breath. Intuitive dance is an invitation to reconnect with your body and your deeper self through spontaneous movements, without judgment or performance.

Yoga and Money: Is It Worth Investing in Yourself?

par Elodie Abadie • 8 septembre 2025
Talking about money is often delicate—especially when it comes to a spiritual and ancient practice like yoga. Many people associate yoga with inner peace, serenity, and the search for meaning, while seeing money as a purely material value opposed to this quest. But the reality is much more subtle: yoga and money are not incompatible. Practicing yoga often requires an investment: studio classes, workshops, retreats, teacher trainings, equipment (mats, props…). This raises an important question: why do we hesitate so much to invest in our well-being, when we spend much more easily on things that don’t necessarily bring lasting value to our lives? In this article, let’s explore the link between yoga and money , and why investing in your practice may be one of the best choices you can make.

Teaching Yoga: Where to Begin?

par Elodie Abadie • 1 septembre 2025
I t is often said that we learn best by teaching others what we ourselves have understood.
Teaching, and especially teaching yoga, is a true vocation rooted in sharing. More and more yoga enthusiasts are taking the step to become teachers. But how do you start teaching yoga? What steps should you take, what skills are required, and what qualities are essential to transmit this ancient discipline? In this guide, we’ll explore the key points to becoming an inspiring, competent, and aligned yoga teacher.

Yoga and Breathing: How the Breath Transforms Your Practice

par Elodie Abadie • 25 août 2025
In yoga, each breath is far more than an automatic body movement: it is a deep connection between body, mind, and vital energy. 
The Sanskrit word Prana means both breath and life , reminding us that the breath is the very essence of our vitality. Did you know that you breathe between 20,000 and 30,000 times a day , most of the time unconsciously? In yoga, the breath becomes conscious, guided, and intentional—and that’s what transforms a simple physical practice into a true path of balance and well-being. In this article, let’s explore why breathing is so important in yoga, what specific breathing practices (pranayama) exist, and the many benefits it brings to both body and mind.