How to Practice Karma Yoga

Karma Yoga is known as the Yoga of action — most commonly, taking right action and being a good human in the world. Karma itself directly translates from Sanskrit to mean “action.”

Another way to think about Karma Yoga, which I find interesting, is that Karma Yoga is any action taken while remaining in the state of Yoga (state of union).

The action itself could be anything — Yoga asana or other physical movement, washing dishes, conversation, prayer, giving a hug, making love, casting a vote, eating a meal, watering a plant, or going to your 9-5 job. If you consciously try to remain in a state of union as you take that action, it is Karma Yoga. Anything we do for the benefit of all other beings is Karma Yoga.

I enjoy this mindset because it expands the interpretation of Karma Yoga rather than limiting it. This makes it more available to truly live a life of Yoga through one’s unique and authentic path. We’re all different in our constitutions, passions, and the pathways from which we connect with our spirits. As a result, we can take this human journey anywhere — if we aim to be on a Yogic path within this, the hope is that we can do so via connection and union as the catalysts.