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10 Frequently
Asked Questions
Quotes
By: Cyndi Lee
Yoga Instructor and Studio Owner
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The
word yoga, from the Sanskrit word yuj means
to yoke or bind and is often interpreted as "union"
or a method of discipline. A male who practices yoga
is called a yogi, a female practitioner, a yogini.
The Indian sage Patanjali is believed to have
collated the practice of yoga into the Yoga Sutra
an estimated 2,000 years ago. The Sutra is a
collection of 195 statements that serves as a
philosophical guidebook for most of the yoga that is
practiced today. It also outlines eight limbs of
yoga: the yamas (restraints), niyamas
(observances), asana (postures), pranayama
(breathing), pratyahara (withdrawal of
senses), dharana (concentration), dhyani
(meditation), and samadhi (absorption). As we
explore these eight limbs, we begin by refining our
behavior in the outer world, and then we focus
inwardly until we reach samadhi (liberation,
enlightenment).
Today most people practicing yoga are engaged in the
third limb, asana, which is a program of physical
postures designed to purify the body and provide the
physical strength and stamina required for long
periods of meditation. |
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The
word hatha means willful or forceful. Hatha yoga
refers to a set of physical exercises (known as
asanas or postures), and sequences of asanas,
designed to align your skin, muscles, and bones. The
postures are also designed to open the many channels
of the body-especially the main channel, the
spine-so that energy can flow freely.
Hatha is also translated as ha meaning "sun"
and the meaning "moon." This refers to the
balance of masculine aspects-active, hot, sun-and
feminine aspects-receptive, cool, moon-within all of
us. Hatha yoga is a path toward creating balance and
uniting opposites. In our physical bodies we develop
a balance of strength and flexibility. We also learn
to balance our effort and surrender in each pose.
Hatha yoga is a powerful tool for
self-transformation. It asks us to bring our
attention to our breath, which helps us to still the
fluctuations of the mind and be more present in the
unfolding of each moment. |
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Om
is a mantra, or vibration, that is traditionally chanted at
the beginning and end of yoga sessions. It is said to be the
sound of the universe. What does that mean?
Somehow
the ancient yogis knew what scientists today are telling
us-that the entire universe is moving. Nothing is ever solid
or still. Everything that exists pulsates, creating a
rhythmic vibration that the ancient yogis acknowledged with
the sound of Om. We may not always be aware of this sound in
our daily lives, but we can hear it in the rustling of the
autumn leaves, the waves on the shore, the inside of a
seashell.
Chanting
Om allows us to recognize our experience as a reflection of
how the whole universe moves-the setting sun, the rising
moon, the ebb and flow of the tides, the beating of our
hearts. As we chant Om, it takes us for a ride on this
universal movement, through our breath, our awareness, and
our physical energy, and we begin to sense a bigger
connection that is both uplifting and soothing.
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Do I have to be vegetarian to practice yoga? |
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The
first principle of yoga philosophy is ahimsa, which
means nonharming to self and others. Some people interpret
this to include not eating animal products. There is debate
about this in the yoga community-I believe that it is a
personal decision that everyone has to make for themselves.
If you are considering becoming a vegetarian, be sure to
take into account your personal health issues as well how
your choices will affect those with whom you live. Being a
vegetarian should not be something that you impose on
others-that kind of aggressive action in itself is not an
expression of ahimsa. |
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How many times per week should I practice? |
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Yoga is
amazing-even if you only practice for one hour a week, you
will experience the benefits of the practice. If you can do
more than that, you will certainly experience more benefits.
I suggest starting with two or three times a week, for an
hour or an hour and a half each time. If you can only do 20
minutes per session, that's fine too. Don't let time
constraints or unrealistic goals be an obstacle-do what you
can and don't worry about it. You will likely find that
after awhile your desire to practice expands naturally and
you will find yourself doing more and more. |
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How is yoga different from stretching or other
kinds of fitness? |
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Unlike
stretching or fitness, yoga is more than just physical
postures. Patanjali's eight-fold path illustrates how the
physical practice is just one aspect of yoga. Even within
the physical practice, yoga is unique because we connect the
movement of the body and the fluctuations of the mind to the
rhythm of our breath. Connecting the mind, body, and breath
helps us to direct our attention inward. Through this
process of inward attention, we learn to recognize our
habitual thought patterns without labeling them, judging
them, or trying to change them. We become more aware of our
experiences from moment to moment. The awareness that we
cultivate is what makes yoga a practice, rather than a task
or a goal to be completed. Your body will most likely become
much more flexible by doing yoga, and so will your mind.
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Yoga is
not a religion. It is a philosophy that began in India an
estimated 5,000 years ago. The father of classical ashtanga
yoga (the eight-limbed path, not to be confused with Sri K.
Pattabhi Jois' Ashtanga yoga) is said to be Patanjali, who
wrote the Yoga Sutra. These scriptures provide a framework
for spiritual growth and mastery over the physical and
mental body. Yoga sometimes interweaves other philosophies
such as Hinduism or Buddhism, but it is not necessary to
study those paths in order to practice or study yoga. It is
also not necessary to surrender your own religious beliefs
to practice yoga.
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I'm not flexible-can I do yoga? |
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Yes! You
are a perfect candidate for yoga. Many people think that
they need to be flexible to begin yoga, but that's a little
bit like thinking that you need to be able to play tennis in
order to take tennis lessons. Come as you are and you will
find that yoga practice will help you become more flexible.
This
newfound agility will be balanced by strength, coordination,
and enhanced cardiovascular health, as well as a sense of
physical confidence and overall well-being.
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All you
really need to begin practicing yoga is your body, your
mind, and a bit of curiosity. But it is also helpful to have
a pair of sweat pants, leggings, or shorts, and a t-shirt
that's not too baggy. No special footgear is required
because you will be barefoot. It's nice to bring a towel to
class with you. As your practice develops you might want to
buy your own yoga mat, but most studios will have mats and
other props available for you. |
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Why are you supposed to refrain from eating two to three
hours before class?
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In yoga
practice we twist from side to side, turn upside down, and
bend forward and backward. If you have not fully digested
your last meal, it will make itself known to you in ways
that are not comfortable. If you are a person with a
fast-acting digestive system and are afraid you might get
hungry or feel weak during yoga class, experiment with a
light snack such as yogurt, a few nuts, or juice about 30
minutes to an hour before class. |
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