Alignment
"Do not forget the word align. It is through the alignment of my body that I discovered the alignment of my mind, self and intelligence."
~ BKS Iyengar.
Alignment in yoga is often thought of as how we position the body in a pose. We notice where the joints are stacked, where the muscles are engaged, where we might be forcing instead of feeling. But alignment goes far beyond posture. It’s also about how we live, choose, and show up in the world.
On the mat, alignment helps us move with safety, steadiness, and freedom. Off the mat, it’s what keeps us connected to our values, our relationships, and our highest intentions. Both require awareness. Both ask us to pause and feel.
It’s easy to drift out of alignment in daily life. Habits, expectations, and distractions pull us in different directions. That’s why yoga is such a powerful teacher because it gives us the tools to notice when we’ve strayed and and how to gently realign. Just as a small shift of the foot or shoulder can transform a pose, small shifts in how we think, act, and prioritize can transform the way we live.
Here are a few reflective questions to explore:
Where might I be pulled out of alignment by habit or distraction?
What practices, people, or priorities help me return to my center?
How can I adjust — even slightly — to move in harmony with what feels authentic and nourishing?
What am I ready to release, and what do I want to invite in, to realign with my truth?
Alignment doesn’t require big dramatic changes. It’s a series of mindful adjustments that bring us closer towards balance and ease … moment by moment, breath by breath.
The beauty of yoga is that it mirrors this lesson so clearly: alignment isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence. Each time we come back to ourselves, whether in a pose or in life, we strengthen the connection between body, mind, and heart.
On the mat, we practice alignment. Off the mat, we embody it.