Wim HofInstructor and teacher, Wim Hof Method

Wim Hof on the meaning of Yoga | International Yoga Day

21 Jun 2021 · 3 min

Watch on YouTube

2:43

In this brief YouTube segment recorded on International Yoga Day, Wim Hof and two other speakers discuss the essence of yoga as a mind‑body connection that enables control over bodily depth and health. They explain that yoga asanas serve as exercises for the vascular and lymphatic systems, emphasizing the concept that the body is the seat or temple of the soul. The conversation highlights the Hanumanasana (splits) as a favorite asana for Wim Hof, noting its ability to stimulate blood flow in the pelvis and loins by engaging major arteries. The tone is informal and celebratory, with light banter and a brief technical glitch, underscoring a practical, experiential view of yoga rather than a scholarly one.

Chapters

Hi guys, it's International Yoga Day.
You know, the butterfly, butterfly, butterfly.
International Yoga, Yoga Day.
Yeah, yoga, yoga means connection, mind-body connection. To bring about a connection that makes you able to control the depth of your body.
And you can exercise the vascular system, lymphatic system, all these systems you can exercise through bodily expressions. They are called asanas in yoga. And asana biha means that we are— the body is the seat of the soul. So you make it a good seat. Body awareness. A body awareness where the seat is nice. The seat is strong. The seat flows. The blood flow flows through the seat.
The temple of the soul.
One of my favorite asanas Oh, wait a minute.
I got— oh, sorry, I disconnected here from—
put it back on. Is it there still?
Okay, so then we have connection, we have yoga. So yes, one of the exercises or asanas I like most is the— with these pants, it's so tight, but it doesn't matter— is the Hanumanasana, the splits they call it in the West. And I, I just love it. It's very good for the blood flow in the loins, in the pelvis. And it— yeah, I mean, the big arteries they are being exercised by getting it all out so it is able to flow in.
It feels good.
You know, they call it the Hanumanasana. I call it sometimes different, just get your genitals on the ground exercise. But you can't say that on International Yoga Day, but I say it Anyway, you know, you feel good.
It's all there. Ground.
Haha.
Have a great International Yoga Day. I do it like this all the time. I love it.
Mmm.