What is Yoga?
What is Yoga?
Yoga is an ancient (over 5000 Years old) ‘physical science system’ developed to improve a person at several levels.
A balanced yoga practice is principally concerned with uniting the several interdependent elements of the body, the mind, intellect, emotions, nerves, arteries, should and so on for a more fulfilled and overall a more efficient being.
So it's not just about stretching and breathing?
Yes there is stretching of muscles and movements of joints as well as good controlled deep breathing.
All yoga is about working the body and quietening the mind. The asanas (postures) work the body, then there is pranayama (breathing) and then every session must end with a good few minutes of relaxation. The end result of a yoga session is to register an energized body, relaxed, quiet mind and a body that is “totally free of pain”.
What are the physical benefits of practicing yoga?
Yoga is a powerful discipline that can improve and maintain health and fitness.
Yoga can increase flexibility, stability, stamina and strength.
Improves body alignment and posture
Yoga practice brings a feeling of well being to the entire body by stimulating the body organs and improving circulation.
As the body works more efficiently, problems like headaches, back pain, stiff hips and digestive orders can all be alleviated.
Breathing (pranayama) techniques can lower blood pressure, increase cardio vascular efficiency and aid relaxation.
Who can practise yoga?
Everyone can practice yoga. Yoga is open to people of all ages, sex, races, religions, body weight and abilities. Everyone is different and each newcomer to yoga starts their Yoga practice “from where you are”. Over time and dedication, practice will build deeper in to more advanced postures, delivering more strength and flexibility.
But I thought Yoga was practiced by women.
Yoga was developed by men and practiced by all. In the west yoga is predominantly practiced by women, and the benefits they continue to gain are obvious. The number of men turning to yoga is increasing all the time as men begin to realize the benefits. Like anything in life, it has to be tried to be appreciated.
How often should yoga be practised?
There is no minimum or maximum recommended time. A daily practice, however short, can be more effective that an intense, once a week, class.
Dedicated yogis do spend a couple of hours a day in their own practice.
But don't you have to be really flexible to do yoga?
No. But flexibility is the general direction you are heading in to. Every yoga posture is practiced to the best of person’s ability. As the practice progresses, students find that their flexibility improves greatly. Everyone starts from where they are and patiently develop their posture.
What about the mental benefits?
Yoga can help reduce stress, improve concentration, and alleviate mood swings. It brings awareness and the ability to be “still”.
Practicing controlled breathing (pranayama) helps bring mental clarity and calm.
What is meditation?
Meditation is the result of sustained concentration. To meditate is to turn inwards, to concentrate on the inner self. Meditation calms the mind, brings emotional balance, mental clarity and focus.
What is yoga philosophy?
The basis of yogic philosophy is the yoga sutras first documented by a sage called Patanjali, over 2000 years ago. Within the sutras Patanjali describes the eight limbs of yoga which guides a person towards true mental liberation.
The 8 limbs of yoga
YAMA:The moral commandments (non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, restraint and religious study, and non covetousness.)
NIYAMA: The voluntary vows (Purity, contentment, fortitude, willingness to learn and devotion to one’s self to achieve ‘yoga’ or union.
ASANA: Physical postures.
A scientific system of exercise and physical discipline that promotes physical and mental well-being.
PRANAYAMA: Breath control.
Breathing practices that promote a balanced, less stressed frame of mind.
PRATYAHARA: Sense withdrawal from the external world into the interior self.
The control of mental energy to preserve personal energy.
DHARANA: Concentration of mind on a particular point or object.
Development of the concentration.
DHYANA: Meditation. An uninterrupted flow of concentration, thus correct concentration leads inevitability to meditation.
SAMADHI: Self-realization.
Samadhi is the end result of dhyana; when the yogi becomes at one with the universal.
