What is Yoga?
Yoga was originally developed in India over 2000 years ago as a way to achieve spiritual enlightenment. Nowadays, the focus is often on the more down to earth benefits of Yoga, including improved physical fitness, stress control, better mental focus and general well-being. The wonderful thing about Yoga is that it is truly holistic, incorporating elements to work on the mind, body and spirit. Practitioners can focus on the physical, psychological or spiritual benefits of Yoga, or all of the above.
Is Yoga a Religion?
Yoga is not a religion, but a way of life which helps those who practice it to balance the nervous system and still the mind through its various exercises, from asanas (postures), Pranayama (breath control) and meditation. Yoga seeks to put you in touch with your inner self, who or what you truly are.
How is Yoga different from normal exercise?
Yoga focuses more on the process than the goal. Asanas (postures) are done with awareness and concentration on what is happening inside your body and mind. You are not competing with anyone when you do Yoga, but working entirely to your own limits - both physically and psychologically.
Do I need to be flexible to practice Yoga?
No! Yoga will help you to develop your flexibility. The essence of Yoga is about working in harmony with your body and accepting, without judgment where you are at any given time. Come as you are and you will find that Yoga will not only help you to improve your flexibility, but also your strength, coordination, cardiovascular health together with an overall sense of well-being.
Will Yoga help me to reduce weight?
Yes, you will look and feel better if you practice Yoga regularly, eat healthy food and drink plenty of water. The Yoga postures and Pranayama will help all processes of the body to function more effectively including digestion and elimination. In addition, Yoga will help to tone muscles and to improve posture.
What should I wear?
Comfortable clothing that you are able to move about in freely. You should avoid tight constricting clothing, particularly around the waistband. Yoga is best practiced barefoot. It is important to bring something warm like a jumper, fleece or rug to cover up the body during the relaxation part of the class as the body can chill down very quickly as you lie still.
Is it okay to eat before Yoga practice?
In Yoga classes we twist, bend and stretch the bodies in ways that would be uncomfortable if you have not fully digested your last meal. Ideally you should not eat for two to three hours before a Yoga class. If you are afraid that you will get hungry or feel weak, try a light snack such as yoghourt or a few nuts about 30 minutes to an hour before class.
I'm not flexible—can I do Yoga?
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.
How is Yoga different from stretching or other kinds of fitness?
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 labelling 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.
What is the age limit for doing Yoga?
There is no upper age limit for Yoga practice. You can start even at 30 or 60 years of age and can continue up to 100 years or more.
Does Yoga practice prevent diseases?
Yes. A strong immune system is the basis of a healthy body. Yoga helps enhance the immune system, in addition to regulating the various organ systems of the human body. Improper digestion and unhealthy living, creates toxins in the system.
Is Yoga a Hindu practice?
Although Yoga has its origins in Hinduism, Yoga transcends any religion or culture. Its application is universal. Knowledge, which is scientific or spiritual, has universal application regardless of its origin.
For example, the law of gravity was discovered in the West, but its application is universal. It would be foolish of people in the East, to say that they will not use televisions and telephones, just because they were invented in the West.
Similarly, it would be very narrow minded to say, that one will not use Yoga because it comes from Hinduism - even though its benefits are well known.
Do I need to be vegetarian to practice Yoga?
Recent surveys suggest that only one out of three Yoga practitioners is vegetarian. The traditional Yoga diet is vegetarian, but one’s awareness keeps evolving, and at each stage a person can tune in to what is best for her/his own body.
Can Yoga help with Stress and Anxiety?
Stress and anxiety levels can be drastically reduced by Yoga practice. A stronger sense of self is built with regular practice, and over time this increased confidence and well-being can reduce or nullify feelings of anxiety. Nadi Shodhana, which is a breathing technique, can help alleviate the symptoms of an anxiety attack. You may also become more able to observe the factors that lead to an anxiety attack, and deal with them before the symptoms escalate. There can be significant improvement within months.
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