What is Yoga abhyasa? What is yoga practice?

 

 Once Devi Parvati asked her Lord, about what yoga practice is. Whether it is just a way to keep your body healthy with all sorts of postures; Asanas.

Shiva replied that Yoga asana is only a seat for the great flight to the Self. Meditation can be compared to His rides on Nandi, which can be smooth and natural or then tumultuous, with the energy of an untamed beast of the natural order. In fact, all of Nature's things are like that. You need to be completely at oneness with them before you even start to mount the ride, otherwise you will just be overturned, which too is an important part in the process of learning.
He continued to say that Yoga is not about your body. Yoga is about discovering your soul.

The Devi then said that even she tried meditating. But sometimes, it was very difficult, often, in the dark, if she lighted a candle, she could quieten her mind and pray, but she wondered if that was different from meditation. In meditation, are we not supposed to turn off the mind completely?

Shiva replied that when you are meditating, don't think about what a meditation should be. The beauty is that you don't find meditation. It finds you. Your job is just to give yourself some quiet repose. And let these waves come and go,
Aum Namah Shivaye.

, 

Shail Gulhati: Shiva and Mysticism.

Once goddess Parvati asked her lord what is yoga practice. Is it a way to keep your body healthy with all types of postures; Asanas.

Shiva replied that yoga asanas are a posture of great flight unto oneself. Meditation can be compared to his ride on Nandi, which can be spontaneous and natural or it can be full of the energy of an untamed animal, naturally moving. In fact, all things in nature are like that. You have to be completely in tune with them before you get on board, otherwise you will simply topple over, which is an important part of the learning process.

He went on to say that yoga is not about your body. Yoga is about discovering your soul.

Devi then said that she also tried to meditate. But sometimes, it was very difficult, often, in the dark, if she lit a candle, she could calm her mind and pray, but she wondered if that was different from meditation. In meditation, aren't we supposed to turn off the mind completely?

Shivaji replied that when you are meditating, do not think about what meditation should be. The beauty is that you do not find meditation. It finds you. Your job is just to keep yourself somewhat calm. And let these waves come,

Om Namah Shivay.
Hindi translation by Yash NR