What is Yoga?
If you ask this question to different people
(even different Yoga teachers)
you can get very different answers...
Depends who you ask
There are many definitions of Yoga, and these generally depend on who is defining Yoga.
"A tuning up of the whole body complete with muscles, internal organs such as heart, lungs, liver and so on, and also the endocrine system. It produces harmony and balance within the body and leads to more healthy functioning of the whole body" A medical doctor may say
An energy worker may define it as
"A practice which produces balance and harmony between the body and the mind. It produces more healthy functioning in both body and mind and then brings about balance between the two".
A shaman or a spiritual aspirant may define it as
"a way of life which leads towards harmony within oneself and also harmony between oneself and the wider Universe. A merging of the individual consciousness and the cosmic consciousness. It broadens one’s sense of awareness and deepens the depths of consciousness that one can attain".
Someone else may define it as
"a set of practices, tools, ways of recognising the world of the gunas, and opening the knots which bind us to karmic actions.".Nowadays a more usual description can be "a great way to get fit, have fun, improve flexibility, learn how to relax and improve one's health and peace of mind".Or as a way of going deeper inwards. Of getting to know thyself.
As a Yoga teacher I have to agree with each definition above. It all depends on how one looks at the art or science or way of life known as Yoga.
And it also depends whether you wish to adopt the whole yoga lifestyle through every aspect of your life, or whether you simply wish to practice some yoga to enhance the quality of your life.
Sometimes a picture can help get across a fuller understanding of yoga
One can look at it as one or all of the following;
- A tuning up of the physical body including muscles, internal organs, endocrine system, circulatory system producing more healthy functioning within the body
- A balancing of the physical systems within the body including endocrine glands, the nerves and internal organs, leading to more energy, more optimal functioning of one’s health, stronger immune system, and better disease prevention
- A balancing of the mind and body leading to a more harmonious state of being which in turn leads to increased happiness and greater well being
- A deepening of the inner awareness which leads one towards a greater appreciation of one’s own spirituality
- a deepening awareness of the habitual patterns of the mind, and a loosening process whereby we break down habits and bring about a more spacious freer state of our awareness and our existence
- An excellent way of dealing with today’s stresses by producing deep states of relaxation and releasing tension from both the body and the mind
- A great way to get fit, improve flexibility, unwind and have fun
Yoga as a process
The above descriptions of Yoga are phrased in terms of the goals of Yoga or what one can attain from Yoga.
Equally well Yoga can be looked at as a process. The process for each person is different. Yoga is different for everyone. Depending on one’s state of health in both body and mind, one may be working with oneself at different levels.
One does not have to deal with Yoga in an intellectual way. One can simply practice Yoga and see what develops for you.
Maybe you will simply enjoy the relaxation, or like taking a rest from your busy life, or enjoy working hard on oneself, or simply like the toning and stretches within the practice.
Is Yoga a religion?
The plain and simple answer is "No".
Yoga is compatible with whatever religion you practice or also if you do not have a religion. If one is religious and spiritual, then Yoga should help deepen one’s own religious beliefs as it provides clearer insights into spiritual states which arise from within.
Equally well, if you are not religious in any way, Yoga does not force you to believe in any particular belief. You simply follow the Yoga practices and allow yourself to appreciate whatever benefits you experience yourself.
Origins of Yoga
The origin of Yoga lies hidden in the mists of prehistory. It was slowly evolved and developed by the ancient sages, not only in India but also all over the world. Generally the techniques of Yoga were passed on from teacher or guru to their disciples by word of mouth.
Some of the earliest written texts which mention Yoga and allude to its practice were the ancient Vedas approx 4000 years old.
More direct descriptions were later written down by the Yogi Patanjali and are often mentioned as the oldest written record of Yoga. These are approx 2000 years old.
The Yogas which we see today in the West have generally originated from India and have been brought to the Western world over the past 100 years. There are now various types of Yoga which are available. These types of Yoga have evolved from teacher to student so that each Yogi has added their own flavour to the ancient practices. Some begin with quite strong postures while others begin very gently and gradually get stronger with the pace and ability of the person learning.
Strong or weak?
Yoga can be both strenuous and also relaxing at the same time. It can also be gentle and more meditative…. Or dynamic and energy inducing.
There are many forms of Yoga nowadays, and you should be aware that each class may be quite different.
- Get fit and energised like Madonna… Asthanga
- Lie down, relax, and stretch a bit, deep relaxation…. Gentle Yoga
- Progress at your own ability; tune inwards, awareness of breath… Satyananda
- Alignment of body, good strong stretching, holding and toning… Iyengar….
- Salutation to the Sun to increase energy and eliminate energy blocks within the body… Hatha Yoga including IYA, Satyananda and other forms.
Advanced YogaSome forms of yoga provide chanting, cleansing practices, candle gazing, psychic channels and chakras, yogic codes of conduct, non violence, truthfullness, non-stealing, contentment, acceptance.
All at least promote good healthy living.
Benefits
The benefits include
- Stress reduction
- Deeper relaxation
- Improved sleep patterns
- Reduced anxiety
- Toning of the body
- Increased energy
- Better concentration
- Improved awareness
- Self development
- improved peace of mind
- greater happiness
- improved non attachment
- Access to deeper states of awareness
- loosening the knots
Who can learn ?
Anyone can begin to learn Yoga. One word of caution… some forms of Yoga are quite energetic right from the start. These types of Yoga should really only be started by those who are already fit and supple or have practiced other forms of Yoga previously. These are namely Asthanga or power Yoga.
But most forms of Yoga particularly Satyananda Yoga can be started by everyone, young or old, fit or unfit, large or small. These classes start very gently, and the postures progress at your own pace. Emphasis is placed on inner awareness and most of the postures are practiced with the eyes closed and develop inner peace and calmness in addition to working on the physical level.
What does one learn in a Yoga class ?
Different classes teach different things. However in general Yoga includes the following
- Physical postures which tone the body, massage the internal organs, direct the awareness inwards and coordinate movements of the body with the breath
- Breath work which can include ways pf breathing calmly and letting go of tension, ways of breathing to increase energy within the body, ways to increase heat and others to cool down the body
- Deep Relaxation techniques to let go of tension in both body and mind
- Meditation or preparation techniques which increase mindfulness, inner awareness and single pointed focus of mind
- Strong dynamic movements coordinated with the breath and designed to remove energy blocks
- Cleansing practices
- Detachment from the distractions of the mind
- Self restraints
- Steadying the mind
- Self study
- Samadhi or blissful awareness
Please note that each Yoga type and each level of class may deal with one or more of the above. Its possible to practice yoga for years and still only deal with two or three of the above areas of Yoga.
How does one start ?
One starts usually by attending a Yoga class. This is much more advisable than buying a book and practicing oneself. The reason for this, is that one may think one is following the postures correctly, but may not be aware that ones alignment of the spine is not correct, and one may in fact be putting undue pressure on the body rather than getting the benefits from the posture.
One should consider what type of Yoga one would like to practice and then look for a teacher.
In choosing the type of yoga, one should consider whether one prefers
- Gentle postures at the beginning giving one time to gradually get more fit and ready for stronger Yoga poses
- Emphasis on inner awareness, breathing and relaxation
- Stronger postures right from the start working more with physical alignment rather than inner awareness and relaxation
- A quite dynamic class of younger people who are already quite fit
How to find a Yoga teacher; Iyengar, Ashtanga or other.
That really starts with the set of questions above for yourself.
Why do you want to learn Yoga? What is it you are seeking? Depending on what you want, there are various forms of Yoga which will enable you experience what it is you are seeking more quickly and more directly.
If its fitness, and endurance and toning up your body…. then its possibly Ashtanga yoga.
If it is fitness and body awareness, flexibility rather than ensurance, then possible Iyengar yoga.
If its lying down and relaxing, standing up and stretching, tuning inwards with awareness, breathing slowly and mindfully… it may be Satyananda,
If it’s more toning and aligning, quite strong and energising… it may be Iyengar.
And having said that each of the above possible types of Yoga all have something to offer in each of the areas of fitness, awareness, improved health and well-being, breath work and relaxation.
One thing to check is what qualifications your Yoga teacher has. Ask them how long they trained to receive those qualifications. Any training that is under 2 years in length should be questioned. Equally well, ask whether the teacher practices themselves each day and how long their own experience with Yoga is and how long they practice each day.
List of Yoga teachers in Ireland and UK
Yoga teachers in Ireland and UKChoose the type of yoga to best suit your needs
What type of yoga is best for me ?Where can one find out more information?
The Burren Yoga and Meditation Centre is on the Galway Clare border and offers evening classes for local people and also weekend and 7-day Yoga courses throughout the year. The types of Yoga include Satyananda, Iyengar, Ashtanga, Bikram and Kundalini yoga.
Author of this article
Dave Brocklebank B.A., M.A. (psy), Qualified Satyananda Yoga teacher
Founder of the Burren Yoga and Meditation Centre
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