What is Yoga?
The word yoga means union, or bringing together, in the sense of the coming together of a harmonious relationship between our separate aspects. Yoga brings the body, mind and emotions into harmony – the outer self in harmony with the inner self, and the harmony of good health.
Patanjali wrote the ‘Yoga Sutras’ which talk about the process of asana (physical postures) and pranayama (breathing practices) and the experiences that will arise:
"Yoga pose Is a steady and comfortable position. Yoga pose is mastered by relaxation of effort to create a lessening of the natural tendency for restlessness and identification of oneself as living within the infinite stream of life."
Chapter 2, sutras 46-47.
“When this relaxation of effort and steadiness of body is created, the resulting pleasurable sensations of being in stillness and contentment of the final posture pervades all levels of psychology, physiology and consciousness. It is this benefit that makes yoga unique.”
Mukunda Stiles, in ‘Structural Yoga Therapy’.
types of yoga
The best known form of Yoga is Hatha yoga. All forms of physical Yoga fall within this category including yoga styles such as Iyengar and Astanga yoga.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga is the attainment of "Wholeness" through physical movements and postures called "Asanas" and breathing techniques called "Pranayama". It is the Yoga of psycho-physical training. The practise of Hatha Yoga develops concentration, awareness of the body, stillness of the mind and body and being in the present moment.
Karma Yoga
Karma Yoga (the way of action) is the Yoga of selfless action. Its purpose of this form of yoga is to discover through conscious, purpose-oriented action the true meaning of human life.
Jnana Yoga
Jnana Yoga (the way of knowledge) is the Yoga of discriminating knowledge gained through experience, meditation and philosophical enquiry.
Bhakti Yoga
Bhakti Yoga (the way of devotion) is often practised through devoted service to a higher cause including celebration in the form of singing and dancing.
practising yoga
To get the benefits of yoga, it is best to practice every day. This may mean simply practicing mindfulness in your everyday activities, or practising loving kindness, or practicing the yoga postures (asanas). Ultimately, a daily asana practice, which includes awareness and loving kindness, is ideal!
It is important to be aware how we carry our physical, mental and emotional habits into our yoga practice. You can have the same negative habitual thoughts about yourself and others or go into the same harmful postural patterns in your yoga practice. It is important that all your practice is done with awareness and alertness, so that you can breathe and let go of these habits. Once you are able to change your habits in your yoga practice, then you are able to take them into your everyday life.
As your needs change from day to day, you need to adjust your practice. The practice you do when you are bursting full of energy is very different from the one you do when you are recovering from an illness. Your Winter practice will be different from your summer practice. A woman’s practice will change with her menstrual cycle. When you are in the present moment you can modify your practice, because you’ll know what you need by listening to yourself. We help you learn how to do this.
Your practice involves finding ‘right effort’. Trying hard invites struggle and strain. Not trying may lead to boredom and lethargy. When practicing asana, you should be breathing naturally, freely and easily. Your mind should be happy to be staying just here, just now, experiencing the pose. If the breath is hard, forced and ragged, then you are pushing too much, and you need to back off. If the breath becomes shallow you may become sleepy, or distracted by more interesting thoughts or activities, then you need to apply yourself more. In all your practice, you should turn you attention inwards, focusing on sensations in the body, thoughts in the mind, emotions, energy movements and blockages, and breath. The breath is the gauge of right effort.
Above all enjoy your practice! It is there to support you. Benefits of Yoga >>