What is Yoga?
Yoga is the Sanskrit word for "to yoke" and "union". Yoga is not a religion. It is a way of life, an
integrated system to bring together the mind, body and spirit that originated in India thousands of years ago. Classically, yoga is comprised of 8
limbs.
However, in the U.S., it has most commonly refers to and represents Hatha Yoga, which emphasizes the postures (asana) and breath (pranayama) to prepare the body for spiritual pursuits.
Asanas are the non-violent physical positions that provide gentle stretching to lubricate the joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles of the body and to tone and improve the respiratory, nervous, circulatory, digestive and endocrine systems in the body. They also designed to promote a state of physical and mental well-being. They consist of standing, balancing, inverted, backbending, twists, forward bending and restorative poses.
Pranayama are various breath techniques to cleanse, nourish and balance the body. Deep, full, diaphragmatic breaths supply an ample quantity of oxygen to each cell of the body to rejuvenate the physical and mental self.
What's the difference between yoga and other typical forms of exercise?
In general, traditional forms of
exercise are goal oriented and specific to the body only. On the other hand, yoga is a process that incorporates the mind, body and spirit. It is not about
achieving the perfect body or winning at your sport; there is no judgment, no medals and no scores. It is about learning to be aware, mindful and to listen
to your body.
What are the benefits of practicing Yoga?
Yoga seeks to promote individual health and well being through
physical movement and mental awareness. Listed below is a partial list of what most practitioners find:
Can anyone do Yoga?
Absolutely! Regardless of your age, physical condition and flexibility level,
yoga can be practiced by anyone. In all my classes, students are strongly encouraged to work with their own comfort level and renounce competition
with self and others. Honor your body, be kind to yourself and move and practice to what is best for you at this time.
There are so many types of yoga available. What is the difference between them and which one is best for me?
Think of yoga as ice cream. Overall, there is ice cream and then there are countless numbers of flavors, each with a distinct
uniqueness, yet they are still ice cream. Consider "Hatha Yoga" as the ice cream and the different styles of yoga as the "flavors".
Most of the yoga taught in the US is a subset of Hatha Yoga, each with its distinctiveness, choosing to focus on different parts of the
practice. As for which one is best for you, it is best to do a tasting of each and see which one resonates with you. Some are better
suited for beginners; others are better for those with injuries or limitations. Listed below are some of the more common types (i.e.
"flavors") of yoga seen in the US today.
What does "Namaste" mean?
Often in the beginning and/or end of a yoga class, we bring our
hands together in a prayer position in front of the heart say "namaste". It is believed that in all of us, there is a divine
spark that resides in the heart chakra. "Nama" means bow, "as" means I, and "te" means
you. By performing this gesture, we acknowledge the divine in us and show deep respect for one another. Here are two translations:
"I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides in you, where lies your love, your light, your truth and your beauty. I honor the place in you, where...if you are in that place in you...and I am in that place in me...then there is only one of us"
"The light (spirit, soul, higher self) within me recognizes, bows, and honors the light within you; and together we are one with this light (connected by soul recognition with/to God and/or power of the universe and beyond)."When I breathe in a yoga class, should I exhale through the nose or mouth?
What should I wear? What should I bring?
Anything that does not restrict movement and that is comfortable.
Knit/stretchy clothing is wonderful. Many women wear leggings, yoga pants, bike shorts with a tee shirt or tank top. Men wear bike
short under shorts or knit pants with a tee shirt or tank top. Oversized tee shirts or very loose bottoms are not recommended. We
practice in our bare feet. For hygienic reasons, I encourage you to bring your own "sticky" yoga mat (which can be purchased at any
sporting goods store).
Are there any precautions?
It is preferred that you not eat a heavy meal 4 hours prior or a light meal 2 hours
prior to attending class. Also, do not hold the breath during the postures. As with any physical exercise, if you are pregnant or have
any prior or recent injuries, please consult your physician for approval and inform the instructor. If you feel pain or discomfort in
the practice, stop and inform the instructor.
How often should I practice?
The yoga practice is cumulative and the benefits of yoga come with devotion,
persistence and repetition. Some people feel a practice 3 times a week works best for them, while others feel a daily practice is
optimal. In the end, any practice, regardless of frequency, is better than none!