“Karma Yoga is the Yoga of Action. It is the path chosen primarily by those of an outgoing nature. It purifies the heart by teaching you to act selflessly, without thought of gain or reward. By detaching yourself from the fruits of your actions and offering them up to God, you learn to sublimate the ego. To achieve this, it is helpful to keep your mind focused by repeating a mantra while engaged in any activity.”
(http://www.sivananda.org/teachings/fourpaths.html)
The practice of yoga has definitely helped me understand the concept of Karma on a different level. I find myself not throwing the word around and realizing it’s much bigger than “what goes around, comes back around.” Cue JT song… Instead of thinking of karma as what I get, it’s better to think about what I GIVE. Karma is action and giving, truly giving, is one of the most selfless things we can do.
One of my favorite classes I teach is chair yoga at a mental illness recovery Center. This is my karma yoga because I teach the class and expect no payments or credit and return. I teach this class for the good of yoga and as a service to the community and to God. Somehow though, in return for giving, I myself feel so much gratitude and love. Wasn’t I trying to give these away? This specific class gives ME so much joy! I keep going back to teach there because of how the members respond. Giving the gift of yoga to them inspires them to shine, think differently, and accept themselves.
Helping others and giving our services is how we comprehend karma. The focus should be on the outgoing, and the mind will become more open to receiving the incoming forces.
You can practice karma yoga by:
- Volunteering at a local community center, church, or organization.
- Donate goods to non-profit organizations.
- Help a neighbor without anything expected in return.
- Give someone a hug!
- Give gifts to loved ones!
- Share your passion and talents and donate proceeds to an important cause.
- BE KIND all the time 🙂
Oooommmmm ~
Yoga with Sarie 
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