Yoga Beyond the Pose: Returning to the Essence
Nearly twenty years ago, I stepped into my first yoga class not knowing that what began as a physical practice would lead to the greatest inner journey of my life. Over time, yoga became more than movement. It became a mirror, a sanctuary, a spiritual path. Now, after a decade and a half of teaching, guiding retreats, and mentoring new teachers, I continue to walk this path with deep reverence for the roots of yoga.
At Love Life School of Yoga & Meditation, our work is grounded in returning to the essence of yoga — not as performance or aesthetic, but as presence. As a sacred way of being.
Our teacher training programs begin not with posture, but with philosophy. We study the Samādhi Pāda — the Portion on Contemplation from the Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali. A foundational sutra we reflect on is:
Sūtra I.27 – Tasya vācakaḥ praṇavaḥ
"Its expression is Om."
This simple yet profound verse reminds us that beyond form lies vibration. Om is not just a chant. It is a sacred frequency. A symbol of the unchanging consciousness that exists within all.
We complement this exploration with the timeless truth of the Upaniṣhads:
"Ekam sat, viprah bahudhā vadanti"
"The truth is one; the wise express it in many ways."
In our programs, we hold space for that multiplicity. We honour the diversity of experience, language, and lineage that students bring. We invite each participant to make yoga their own — not by reinventing it, but by remembering its essence through their own lens.
Over the years, my teaching has become my practice, and my practice my life. And what I teach now is this:
Yoga is a path to wholeness. It is not something we do to escape the world, but something we live to integrate fully into it. It invites us to slow down, to listen deeply, and to return again and again to the heart.
If you feel ready to deepen your practice, teach from a place of alignment, or reconnect with your inner teacher, I invite you to explore our upcoming training.
Join the journey at www.lovelifebyzimmer.com
Let us walk this sacred path together.
With reverence,
Victoria Zimmer
Founder, Love Life School of Yoga & Meditation
