When most people think if yoga, they have an image of abiding inner peace and equanimity that is present irrespective of whatever might be happening in one’s immediate environment or in the larger world. It is the proverbial lotus flower in the muddy pond. Sounds pretty wonderful. But what about when you step off your mat?

Most people practicing yoga do so as a way to relieve stress, gain mental clarity, replenish energy or cultivate a deeper sense of spiritual awareness. These benefits are likely to extend into the relationships one has out in the world, whether at home, work, play or among strangers along the way. That is because feeling better within oneself leads to the self-acceptance that makes openness and loving-kindness a natural quality in day-to-day living.

But is that enough? What about the myriad issues and challenges that we face as a planet and a people? What about the violence raging in the Middle East, the wont of our present government to secretly confine and torture people or the impending crisis of global warming? If we apply the fundamental yogic precepts of ahmisa (non-hurting), satya (truthfulness) and aparigraha (not being greedy) beyond the mat, can we feel our practice is complete when there are things we can do to extend these values beyond our own personal lives?

Much of the beauty and power of doing an asana practice comes from what Joel Kramer calls “playing the edge,” opening ourselves to being appropriately challenged as a means of learning and refining our body and mind. As in the practice of yoga asana – exploring yoga poses as a natural expression of our conscious creative being – our capacity to meaningfully act in the world – to play the social or political edge – varies by our circumstance. It is shaped by who we are right now, including our overall health, responsibilities, commitments and world view. Yet we all have a place beyond our personal life where if we want we can choose to focus our energy in making the world a better place to live.

A generation ago the environmental movement coined the phrase “Think Globally, Act Locally.” Yoga practice has a way of opening up the mind to that connection between what is far and wide and what is here and now. Taking time to reflect on where you are, what is happening around you on the planet and in your own community, considering opening yourself to exploring what you can do to actively make the world a better place to live.