Tree of Yoga

There are many misconceptions on what yoga is about. Many people in this country have been mislead into believing that yoga is just doing postures to gain more strength, flexibility, and beatification. The misunderstanding of what yoga is can take a student in the opposite direction of the true meaning and goal of yoga. Yoga’s goal is enlightenment, liberation and self realization and not just a physical practice.

This poem describes my spiritual journey through the practice of all the branches yoga which are called Hatha, Bhakti, Jnana, Raja, Karma Yoga. I now teach a combination of the branches of yoga called Sampoorna Yoga.

Tree of Yoga

by Yogini Nicole Petroff, RYT

What a beautiful tree
So full of wisdom, happiness and love
Standing under it I can sense the mysteries of life to be reveled
Standing under it draws you up

At the top is enlightenment, liberation and freedom
Choosing to climb this tree of yoga
Knowing I will never be the same

Placing a foot on the branches of the Yoga tree
My feet on Hatha
A hand on Jnana and the other hand on Raja
I hang out here for awhile
Changes on outside as well as within begin to become noticeable

The light at the top is drawing me closer
But the ego is fighting for its survival making the climb even harder
Observation of self has intensified

Now I am ready to step closer to the top
Stepping on Raja and placing a hand on Jnana and Karma
I hang out here for awhile

The light from the top shines on my face through the tree at times
The warmth of the light filling me with love
Never felt a love like that before

Then a shadow blocks the light from shining on my face
Doubts begin to appear
I must have missed something
Decide to go back down and start again
On my way down cant help to feel despair

If I climb a different way
I won’t miss anything
I’m sure to learn more on the way

Climbing the branches of yoga again in different order
Having one foot on Hatha and another on Raja
A hand on Karma and the other on Bhakti while leaning on the trunk of all styles
I hang out here for awhile
To my surprise healing and self realization takes place

Hanging out in this spot in the tree of yoga
I realized the branches of yoga are all interconnected
Practicing all the branches is inevitable on the journey
The journey and the lessons learned is all part of the yoga path
The destination is really not a destination at all
its a state of mind

The moment I let go
I found myself sitting at the top for a moment
Feeling blissful from the light, love and the energy from everything
I feel at peace
I feel at home

I always been at home
But the shadows were blocking me from seeing
There is no need to fear the tree
The ups and downs is an illusion
A tool to help us see through the shadows and veil
And feel at home