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, we’ve created a book study group meeting 2 times monthly for both teachers and students, alike. To find out more about the Yoga Sutras class, click here.
