"Your heart is the size of an ocean. Go find yourself in its hidden depths."
— Rumi
Hey lovely,
After briefly exploring the four paths of yoga last week, I promised we'd dive a little deeper into each path, and today we are digging into Bhakti Yoga - the path of devotion, love, and heartfelt connection. There’s something beautifully soft and nourishing about it, especially in a world that’s constantly pulling our attention outward and stretching our energy thin.
Bhakti reminds us that the heart is also a muscle we can strengthen.
Not by working harder…
But by softening, opening, surrendering, and allowing ourselves to feel.
And honestly? I think we could all use a little more of that right now.
Bhakti is often described as "the yoga of devotion," but that doesn’t mean bowing at altars or chanting in caves (unless you’re into that, in which case, go you!).
At its core, Bhakti Yoga is simply:
💗 Love in action
💗 Connection without conditions
💗 A heart that is open, trusting, and curious
💗 A softening into something larger than ourselves
It could be devotion to nature, your practice, your breath, your loved ones, music, creativity, or the universe itself. Anything that expands your heart and reminds you that you are part of something vast and beautiful is Bhakti.
Bhakti in Everyday Life
You’ve probably practised Bhakti without even knowing it.
It’s in the moments when:
- You roll out your mat not because you “should,” but because your heart needs it.
- You feel gratitude rise unexpectedly, like a warm tide in your chest.
- A piece of music moves you to tears, and you don’t know why.
- You speak to yourself with kindness when it would be easier to be harsh.
- You sit with someone you love and simply listen wholeheartedly.
- You find yourself whispering "thank you" to the morning sun, the moon, or the wave of peace after a deep exhale.
Bhakti is not a ritual... It’s a state of being.
Bhakti on the Mat
In our asana practice, Bhakti shows up when we shift from performance to presence.
It’s letting the breath lead instead of the ego.
It’s moving with reverence rather than force.
It’s softening into surrender instead of pushing into perfection.
Think of those moments in class when your heart cracks open just a little; not physically, but energetically. When you’re so present that everything else drops away. That is Bhakti.
The Courage of an Open Heart
Opening the heart isn’t always easy. Vulnerability takes courage. Bhakti asks us to show up with tenderness even when life feels messy, uncertain, or overwhelming.
But here’s the thing:
A soft heart is not a weak heart.
A soft heart is a strong heart.
Just like your muscles, a strong muscle is pliant and elastic, while a weak muscle is tight and stiff.
When we choose love over fear, connection over separation, compassion over judgement, that is Bhakti in action. And slowly, these choices shape the way we move through the world.
A Little Practice for the Week
If you want to invite more Bhakti into your life, try this:
Place one hand on your heart.
Take a slow breath in.
Exhale softly through the mouth.
Then ask gently:
“What would love do today?”
And follow the whisper, even if it’s tiny, even if it’s subtle.
That is Bhakti.
That is yoga.
That is coming home.
SO tune in to your inner pilot light, that little whisper at the centre of your soul, and follow your heart into the light x
What's Happening In The Pantry 🧘♀️
Perimenopause anyone? Karryn and I will be running a 6-week course on coping, or dare I say thriving, with Perimenopause and celebrating the wise woman (Sage) you are becoming.
Perimenopause can feel like a confusing in-between season with lots of unexpected changes in sleep, mood, energy, confidence, and how you feel in your body. This 6-week mini-course is a supportive, structured space to explore this transition with honesty, compassion, and practical tools, so you feel steadier, more resourced, and far less alone. Stepping into Sagehood gently holds both sides of this life stage: the tender bits (grief, uncertainty, feeling “not quite yourself”) and the empowering bits (strength, clarity, wisdom, and a deeper sense of self-trust). It’s part nervous system reset, part toolkit, part community circle, designed to help you feel more at home in yourself.
Join Karry and me on this liberating journey.
Starting on the 12th of Feb.
Registration is open now!
This is a small group, so book NOW, ladies, or share the booking link with someone you think would benefit from this experience.
Restorative Yoga is back! The second Sunday in March will be dedicated to your rest and relaxation. Yup, our 2-hour delectable restorative yoga workshop is back for March, yay!
Book your spot TODAY
Head here to book all your regular yoga classes. There are only a few more classes to go this year!
Remember, you can join us online from anywhere in the world, live or at a time that suits you, with our instant 14-day on-demand Zoom recording!
Don't forget you can also join us for a FREE meditation session every Saturday morning, and even if you can't, you can book in via Zoom and do the meditation later in the day, or every day, until the next session :)
Your YouTube Class Of The Week
Here is a Yin Yoga practice done entirely at the wall. This was a popular session from my summer VIP offerings. Your back and hips will thank you for it :)
Enjoy.
With so much love,
Tash
xx
P.S If you wish to receive these amazing Yogi Notes straight to your inbox, sign up HERE
You can also catch up on previous Yogi Notes right HERE
P.P.S Don’t forget to share your Yoga insights on social media with the hashtag #TheYogaPantryLife #Yogaislife
Let’s spread the yoga love far and wide!
I see you, and I appreciate you. You are awesome x
