The quality of practicing yoga together

The power of group meditation and yoga

Meditation in itself holds many benefits. But practicing together can add many more when we acommulate our energies on a higher level.
In meditation we work on understanding that we do not see the world as it is, we see it with our conditioning and filters. We try to quiet the mind and see what truly is. It helps us to clear out the mental garbage and can be seen as mental hygiene. Benefits of meditation go beyond the mind. Maybe you noticed that you have a headache or a stomach ache when you are stressed. Mental tension easily manifests in the physical body and sometimes it is underlying and you do not notice it until it develops into something more severe. No need to get scared, fear ain’t a good companion either. Just start today and prioritize your mental health as well. As much as junk food can make you sick, junk thoughts can do the same.

It has been found that a short regular best daily mindful or meditation practice is more beneficial than sitting still for an hour a week. Meditation can have many forms, breath awareness, sitting and observing and also your yoga practice is a form of meditation. It became very popular to practice yoga together, and maybe you noticed how the peaceful energy of the group can help you relax or in a different setting its energy makes you thrive. Probably, you say yes! And you miss it! All over the world we are handling some form of separation. For me the collective fear and anxiety about what is to come can feel overwhelming at times and mental hygiene becomes more important than ever. So yes, I can motivate myself to get on my mat, practice yoga and meditate. But I noticed it becomes more powerful and rewarding when practicing with others even at a distance via the internet. As meditation is yoga and yoga is meditation, the benefits of practicing in a group can be felt on a subtle energetic level in both.

We are all one.

Maybe you noticed that one moody person can ruin your day and one smile from a stranger can make all the difference?
We are all one, we all have our ups and downs. If you are happy, I am happy. Acknowledging that we are interdependent is an important part of your practice. Maybe you have heard you cannot ask someone to love you before you do not love yourself. Or when you meet someone stressed and aggressive with the same aggression it ripples to more stress and aggression. But your inner peace and calm can also help the people around you to relax and come back to more reasonable terms. Meditating together is acknowledging that we are all one.
“It is not about individuality or certain sections of society. It is all about recognizing that we are all connected and part of one universal being. We all are governed by vibrations. A happy person can make us happy and an unhappy person spreads unhappiness. When glaciers melt due to global warming the water levels rise around the planet. Global warming is such a glaring reminder that we cannot isolate ourselves.” Bhanu Narasimhan
We are the change we want to see in the world, and knowing other people are willing to invest their time into it at the same time can be even more empowering.

We are all energy.

Maybe you already experienced, that when you really put your mind on something you can achieve anything. When we align our energy and others join in this can become most powerful. A synergy of energy is created and a common goal is achieved. Like mental teamwork for a more loving and more peaceful world. There are studies that have shown extremely positive social, political and economic results correlated to synchronized group meditations.
Let’s break it down. Imagine you really need a day off at work because you feel down and you ask your boss for help. Him or her being aware of the importance of mental health, because they practice yoga and meditation themselves and have the necessary empathy that is also strengthened by acknowledging that we are all one, will grant you that day off. In the result you can take care of yourself and then have more energy to take care of others. And one day you are walking in someone else’s shoes. True empathy means to feel someone else’s pain. We are all one. Let us align our energies and make this world a better place.