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PHILOSOPHY
YOGA IS UNION
The
word Yoga is a Sanskrit term (the ancient language of India) which
means union – union of body, breath, mind, and Spirit. Through this
union of all the various layers of what we call “self”, harmony is
achieved. This is why students of Hatha Yoga always feel very relaxed,
complete and whole after taking a yoga class.
The
way we create union in a Hatha Yoga class is through keeping our
mind focused in our bodies and with our breath. Keeping our mind
focused in the present moment while releasing and relaxing the muscles
and connective tissues can be a spiritual experience, if that is your
intention – thus the union of body, mind, Spirit.
SIVANANDA YOGA - MY
TRAINING
There are lots of different types of yoga. I was trained through Sivananda,
which has a very traditional approach to yoga. So, for me Yoga is a
lifestyle choice – a way of living in which the practice occurs not
only on the mat, but off the mat as well. This, of course, is where I
find my real work lies and why I consider myself as much a student as a
teacher of yoga.
According
to Sivananda, there are 5 Points to Yoga. They are proper
exercise, proper breathing, proper relaxation, proper diet, and
positive thinking/meditation. Effort in all 5 of these areas are
necessary in order to attain physical and mental health as well as
spiritual growth.
Proper Exercise (Asanas)
Our physical body is meant to move and exercise. If our lifestyle does
not provide natural motion of muscles and joints, then disease and
great discomfort will ensue with time. Proper exercise should be
pleasant to the practitioner while beneficial to the body, mind and
spiritual life.
Proper Breathing (Pranayama)
Yoga teaches us how to use the lungs to their maximum capacity and how
to control the breath. Proper breathing should be deep, slow and
rhythmical. This increases vitality and mental clarity.
Proper Relaxation (Savasana)
Long before the invention of cars, planes, telephones, computers,
freeways and other modern triggers of stress, the Rishis (sages or
seers) and Yogis of yore devised very powerful techniques of deep
relaxation. As a matter of fact, many modern stress-management and
relaxation methods borrow heavily from this tradition. By relaxing
deeply all the muscles the Yogi can thoroughly rejuvenate his nervous
system and attain a deep sense of inner peace.
Proper Diet (Vegetarian)
Besides being responsible for building our physical body, the foods we
eat profoundly affect our mind. For maximum body-mind efficiency and
complete spiritual awareness, Yoga advocates a lacto-vegetarian diet. This is an
integral part of the Yogic lifestyle.
Positive thinking through Meditation (Dhyana)
Here is the most important point of all, we become what we think. Thus
we should exert to entertain positive and creative thoughts as these
will contribute to vibrant health and a peaceful, joyful mind. A
positive outlook on life can be developed by learning and practicing
the teachings of the philosophy of Vedanta. The mind will be brought
under perfect control by regular practice of meditation.
All
points except proper diet are practiced within my Hatha Yoga class.
A Hatha Yoga class is a class that includes breathing practices, yoga
poses, meditation and relaxation.
PATANJALI'S YOGA SUTRAS
Hatha Yoga is just a small part of the whole philosophical system of
Yoga, which originated in India. The ancient texts and their numerous
translations and commentaries are too numerous to list. The teachings
instruct practical and scientific methods to relieving suffering in
this lifetime. One of these methods includes Hatha Yoga.
The
practice of Hatha Yoga as a means to relieve suffering and attaining
“enlightenment” is laid out in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. This ancient
text has been translated numerous times, often with conflicting points
in the finer details. That said, the 8 steps (Ashtanga) as outlined by
Patanjali are:
1.
Yamas (the five abstentions) - Ahimsa: non-violence; Satya:
truthfulness; Asteya: non-stealing; Brahmacharya: celibacy; Aparigraha:
lack of greed
2.
Niyamas ( the five observances) - Shaucha: cleanliness/purity;
Santosha: contentment; Tapas: austerity; Svadhyaya:
introspection/self-study; Ishvarapranidhana: meditation on the Divine
(The Yamas and Niyamas are
curiously similar to the 10 Commandments)
3. Asanas - physical exercises
4. Pranayama - breathing exercises
5. Pratyahara - withdrawal of senses from the external to the internal
6. Dharana - concentration
7. Dhyana - meditation
8. Samadhi - Oneness or perpetual bliss or connection with the Divine
Perhaps
all this information is a bit heavy, but if you are interested
in studying more about Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, you can attend
a book
study group meeting twice monthly, for both teachers and
students,
alike. To find out more about
the Yoga Sutras class, click here.
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