What is Yoga?
The origin of the word yoga comes from the Sanskrit root word “yuj” which means “to unite”, “to add” or “to join”. Yoga is a science with many aspects.
Yoga (meditation, movement, the harmony of the breath and movement, breathing exercises) is a slowing down and internalization process in which absolute mental and physical serenity is achieved. In some way, yoga is learning to slow down and starting the process of going inwards and calming down.
Yoga is not a sport or a religion, does not require any form of belief, and does not have any strict guidelines. It is a spiritual practice. It is a practice that brings clarity to issues and assures actualization with one in harmony. In this manner, yoga is an internal exploration practiced with fairness, passion and enlightenment, harmony, beauty and inspiration.
Thousands of years ago, when yoga was just being developed, the primary application of yoga was meditation and centeredness. The poses were not yet discovered. This was a highly recognized and well-respected practice. The ancient practitioners achieved a new science and a way of being through centeredness and thus became more intuitive. Their discoveries were as follows: once they consciously turned their attention inwards and experienced the state of consciousness in serenity, they were able to hear what is going on in the mind and attain being in the “present moment” and hence experience deep nature of existence.
The ancient practitioners, as a result of meditation practices, directed their attention to poses. They mastered these poses and started the teachings of centeredness and being in meditative state and coming back to that space. These poses were not valued simply because they were beneficial physically but they at the same time allowed for attaining and sustaining meditative state. The main practice, however, is seen then and now as “ observing one’s self in stillness”.
Yoga is a philosophy a way of living that enhances our way of capturing life’s essence in consciousness, more than a way of exercise, establishing respect and compassion for our body through conscious movement and freeing the mind. It is a journey that develops and enhances the state of being in the moment and accepting what is. It is an exploration of transformation in each individual’s uniqueness as well the collectiveness.
Foremost, yoga is a practice of consciousness. In order for this, by using our own breath and allowing the breath and the movement become one, the mind aligns with it and starts to associate with what is without any judgments. As the expansion takes place with the breath and the body, the journey allows for the mind to expand and initiates transformation in our life path.
Is Yoga a religion?
Yoga is not a religion, it is a form of art and science practiced for thousands of years. It does not prescribe to any type of belief and is open to people with any kind of belief.
What type of yoga is good for me?
In order to explore this, we recommend you take different style classes from different instructors. With time, the yoga practice that works best with you will develop naturally.
What is the yoga attire?
Not too tight, comfortable tights, shorts, sweatpants and t-shirt would be sufficient.
But if you are new to yoga you may chose fitted but not too tight clothing in order for the instructor to see whether you have the right posture or your movement muscles are activated or not.
I am not flexible, can I do yoga?
Absolutely yes. This is a frequently asked question and makes it sound like yoga is misunderstood. First of all, everyone is different in terms of their body and anatomic structure and even if you are a qualified yoga instructor of many years you may not be able to perform specific poses or on the other hand, easily practice some of the poses pretty easily at the beginning of your journey. Not all poses are good for everyone and in our yoga practice, we are realizing our body’s boundaries and learning to be gentle to ourselves, foremost while doing yoga where our body allows us to go is where we obtain the correct posture. Yoga aims to bring elasticity to our mind not our body and of course as an additional benefit to yoga practice, with time the elasticity of the body also improves.
What is a typical yoga class like?
This changes as per yoga style but typically a yoga class is approximately 75 to 90 minutes long. Warm up (depending on the type of the yoga and the instructor’s style) and then comes the poses and relaxation(savasana).
How often can I practice yoga?
There is no limit as to when or how much yoga one can do. You may practice as much as yoga whenever you want. Doing too much yoga does not have any harm to your health on the contrary it has its benefits. Only you can know how much yoga is good for you.
For the new beginners 2 or 3 practices a week would be suitable. Even if you can only do one practice a week, you will still feel the benefits.
I cannot do all poses. Would this be a problem?
No. Not every pose is good for every body type. Whatever your body allows is good enough for your practice.
Can I do yoga during pregnancy?
Yes. You must first speak with your physician and upon your physician’s approval, attend yoga sessions specially crafted for expecting mothers.
At what age can you practice yoga?
Yoga can be practiced at any age. Most important thing is to start your practice with a level that fits you.
Can I have some information on the history of Yoga?
Yoga today is becoming more and more attractive to larger number of people has its roots all the way back to BCE 4000 but the most comprehensive texts are written by Patanjali in the second or third century CE known as Yoga Sutras.
Until Patanjali compiled all the teachings and the knowledge and put it in writing, the fundamental knowledge of yoga “thoughts”, “ideas” or better put “life perception” were being passed on by gurus, sages and yogis by word of mouth or were put in writing. Most of Patanjali’s sutras ideas and life perception has been included in Vedenta (Advatya Vedanta) philosophy. However, Patanjali is the person who put all of yoga’s teachings into writing. This is why his writings never lost importance, and he is considered to be the founder of yoga teachings. Patanjali and Buddha are the ones to have written the book of Meditation. Patanjali provided humanity a user’s guide by the Yoga sutras. Yoga sutras are not susceptible text but provides more a mathematical formula and systematic approach to yoga.
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras are the most enlightening spiritual testimonials of all times. Nearly 2000 years old, contains 196 sutras of the nature and the liberation of the consciousness. They are short and brief but capture the essence of humanities paradox. Patanjali, in a conventional openness, analyses how we know what we know and why we suffer. Then provides a meditation program providing us to see things as they are and fulfilling the main principle of consciousness allowing for ending of suffering. Yoga sutra organizes the antic yogic knowledge as a detailed map for human potential and defines yoga of all times. Today, even after 2000 years later, we can understand Patanjali’s internal journey was derived from the mysteriousness of life, consciousness and death and a deep yearning of reaching happiness and meaning. A yearning at this level existed universally in all cultures and, now more than ever resonates inside us strongly.