The Wellness Practice for the Soul: What is Yoga?

This is typically the first question I receive when speaking to a new client. Well—it's that, or: "How much do you charge?"

When I began teaching, I used to stumble over my words trying to explain the Eight-Limbed Path, meditation techniques, or any number of yoga-related concepts. I’d reference philosophy, ancient texts, breathwork—but no matter how complete I tried to be, my explanations often fell flat. Why? Because yoga isn’t something easily captured in a sentence. It’s universal in essence, but personal in experience. Yoga, in its simplest sense, is about bringing everything together.

Defining It for Myself

Since the beginning of my yogic journey, I’ve read countless definitions, discussed it in trainings, and listened to how others explained it. But deep down, I still felt like I didn’t understand the language, or the spirit behind it—not fully. Maybe it’s because I hadn’t yet claimed it in my own words. Or, maybe I wasn’t answering the question as my whole self. Maybe I just hadn’t lived enough of the practice. That’s something I’ll need to meditate on...

Recently, a friend and mentor asked me point blank: "What exactly is yoga?"

This time, I gave an answer that felt true. I told him:

"Yoga is everything. It’s the philosophy of integration—of aligning your life with the energy of spirit. It’s not just poses—it’s how you breathe, how you eat, how you think, how you do. Yoga is a lifestyle that harmonizes your internal world with the external."

The poses are just a fraction of the practice. Historically, they’ve always been a small piece of the puzzle. But once yoga became westernized, asana (poses) took center stage, while the deeper, more transformative aspects were pushed aside.

Making It Real

In the beginning, I had only two classes under my belt and had just finished teacher training. I was just beginning to formulate my personal practice beyond the mat. But with time, I began integrating more of the practice—breathwork, meditation, and morning rituals. I practiced yoga sometimes twice a day. And that’s when things started to click. Slowly, the many threads began to weave together into something I could live and speak from.

I now specialize in the slower forms of yoga—Yin, Restorative, and Yoga Nidra. These practices invite relaxation while gently challenging the body in stillness. They’re especially important for people who carry stress or trauma that may not even be conscious. Practices in which the goal is to soften into the body—to observe, explore, and gently release what no longer serves.

Real Stories from Real People

I once worked with an older man—fit, active, always on the move. During our restorative session, he physically couldn’t be still. His fingers tapped involuntarily, his breath was shallow and interrupted, and the energy in the room said, “When is this over?” That told me so much about what he might be carrying. Yoga is about self-discovery—what shows up on the mat can reveal what’s hiding in plain sight.

Another client broke into tears during a restorative session. The pose was gentle, easy—meant for people with injuries—but the stillness unlocked something. Emotional release came through the breath, and she cried in peace. That moment reminded me again: Yoga is about release.

More Than Movement

I use a combination of poses, mindful eating, and off-the-mat practices to support the mind and body. Too often, people approach exercise with just one goal: physical improvement. But if we neglect the mind—if we ignore our emotions—we’re just adding pressure, not healing.

You can’t pour from an empty cup. And if you're always pushing without awareness, your results won’t be sustainable. That’s where I come in. Many people don’t realize that their traumas have shaped how they cope, how they move, and how they rest. Yoga gives you the tools to intentionally work through those patterns with compassion.

So, What Is Yoga?

Yoga is a lifestyle. It’s a mindset. It’s deliberate action.

It’s how I move, how I think, and how I support others. When I define yoga, I define it as everything—not just the practice on the mat, but the awareness that shapes your entire life.

If you're reading this, you're already on the path. Your version of yoga might not look like mine—and that’s okay. The more you practice, the more you’ll define it in a way that feels true for you.

Because in the end, yoga isn’t about doing a perfect handstand or memorizing Sanskrit.

Yoga is about becoming a well-rounded, joyous individual. And that’s always worth exploring.

Love, Light, Joy, Peace, and Abundance,

Malik

New Sun Wellness