Yoga was first introduced to the West in the 19th century, gained serious popularity in the 1960s and has undergone another revival recently, with the likes of Demi Moore, Sting, Oprah Winfrey, Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna asserting that it’s the secret of their health and fitness – and even their success.
Yoga is a system of physical and mental training which is intended to affect body, mind and spirit and, eventually, to lead to spiritual enlightenment. It was developed by Hindu yogis, at least 2,500 years ago, to maximize physical, mental and spiritual health and development. It is believed that, by following the basic principles of yoga -proper exercise, breathing, relaxation, diet and positive thinking and meditation -you can achieve inner peace, total health, calmness and a sense of well being. While true followers of yoga use it to enhance their spirituality, the majority of people doing yoga in the West practice it as a form of exercise and relaxation. Yoga is well suited to the pressures and strains of modern life, even though it is such an ancient health system.
The Principle Of Brahman
Traditionally yoga is closely bound up with Indian philosophy and this still holds true for many followers of yoga today. One aspect of this complex set of ideas is that Hindus believe that the universe is a manifestation of one reality, or consciousness, called Brahman. Brahman underlies every single thing in the universe including each individual soul. The theory is that if we can ‘link in’ with Brahman and become at one with all things, we will no longer be tied to time, space or ‘being’ in a physical sense.
To follow yoga on a more spiritual level, the process begins with a clearing of the mind, bringing the attention to one thing, e.g. a candle flame or mantra. This is the beginning of meditation with the aim of creating a sense of ‘leaving’ your body. The idea is to feel a connection with the universal power, Brahman, thus releasing all worries, pain, problems and selfishness. This is why yoga literally means ‘joining’.
To a yogi, body and mind are part of the illusory world of matter, with a limited life span, but the spirit passes on when one body wears out, to another, through reincarnation. Even though its spiritual theories may be incompatible with your own, yoga can enhance physical health and promote a sense of harmony. Those advised to take up yoga to ease physical symptoms often find they can develop a less stressed attitude to life.
Asanas And Mantras
Yoga postures, called asanas, have been developed to exercise every bit of the body. By improving both the fitness of the outside of the body and the inner organs, it is believed that asanas can increase the flow of energy throughout the body.
Mantras, from the Sanskrit words manana (thinking) and trana (liberation) are sacred words repeated silently or aloud, over and over, during some yoga sessions. Saying or thinking these positive words is believed to bring their quality into your life.
What Happens At A Yoga Session?
Although it isn’t essential for you to buy any equipment, many people invest in a proper yoga mat because it grips the floor so much better than a towel or blanket. You don’t need any special clothing, though – just wear loose-fitting, cotton clothing and no socks.
Don’t eat for a few hours before a session. The session will probably begin and end with Shavasana, also known as the ‘corpse pose’, where you lie on your back for several minutes, breathing calmly. After some basic warm-up moves, you will be asked to perform asanas in standing, lying, inverted and sitting positions. Yoga is completely uncompetitive and emphasis is placed on using the correct technique rather than hurrying the level of practice.
Sophy Hoare, a London yoga teacher who has been practicing for more than 25 years, says that many people first come to her classes because of a back injury, migraine or high levels of stress. In an ideal world, it would be best to begin yoga before you have any problems, “It’s a great preventative therapy,” she says.
But which type of yoga should you choose? It’s up to the individual, she believes. “I began with a different form of yoga to the one I now teach. I enjoyed it but the type I concentrate on now has taken me a stage further – I find it profoundly satisfying. It’s all about ‘undoing’ the body and awakening the spine. Above all it’s about refining the quality of attention and bringing mind and body together. This is an extraordinarily refreshing and clarifying thing to do – the benefits are both physical and psychological.
Some systems of yoga are more strenuous than others – you just need to choose the one that’s right for you. Basically, all forms of yoga aim to keep you healthy and relaxed and to keep everything flowing and moving and unblocked – in all the systems of the body. And it’s good for every age. I have taught people in their eighties and my own teacher is 91 – a great example.”
Which Type Of Yoga Is Best For You?
The principles of yoga are fairly simple – relax, switch off and stretch, and you’ll feel better. But the reality is quite complicated, especially when you realize how many different styles of yoga there are.The best way to find a system that suits you is to ask yourself why you want to start:
If you want to get fit:
- Hatha yoga – an approach based on controlled stretching, with an emphasis on developing a flexible spine. Good for all levels of fitness.
- Vini yoga – a form of yoga taught by a teacher called Desikachar, it is usually taught individually. Safe and gentle – good for older people.
If you want to get physical:
- Iyengar yoga – focuses on correct postures and often uses blocks and ropes to maintain these.
- Sivananda yoga -covers a wide range of poses from simple to complex and can be suitable for all ages.
- Ashtanga yoga – much more demanding; only for the very fit.
If you want to get spiritual:
- Raja yoga – or royal yoga, is more concerned with the mind.
- Dru yoga – group yoga which concentrates heavily on breath work.
- Jnana yoga -concentrates on yoga’s philosophical aspects and is heavily meditative and spiritual. For those seeking a deeper level to life.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga is the type of yoga usually taught in the West. It involves the use of body postures, called asanas and breathing exercises. Hatha yoga is designed to improve the body’s total energy flow. Both Chinese and Indian traditions say that an unhindered flow of energy must pass round the body for optimum health – the Chinese call this energy chi, the Indians prana. Initially, at least, hatha yoga should be done with a trained teacher. Sessions tend to start with standing poses, followed by sitting postures and then relaxation.
Power Yoga
It’s the latest thing, and has reshaped the stars from Madonna to Sting. Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga, or ‘power yoga’, is a highly vigorous form where you move quickly from one pose to another, ‘grunting’ on an out-breath, rather than holding a pose, relaxing and then starting another. Even practiced yoga devotees and step-addicts find these workouts hard – they are immensely fast and furious, and you need to be super-fit and supple to keep up. But if you want ultra-toned muscles like Madonna, give it a go…
Yoga For The New Generation
A pioneering scheme in a Yorkshire primary school has introduced seven to nine year olds to yoga. The children have three 20-minute sessions a week and, after finding it difficult to sit quietly and concentrate on breathing at first, now enjoy their classes a great deal. Behavioral difficulties and disruptions in class are on the decrease and most of the children now find it easier to concentrate.
The Truth About Tantra
The word tantra is closely associated with sex – conjuring up images of Herculean lovemaking sessions! Tantra was developed in the first few centuries AD, by yogis who believed in embracing human bodily pleasures as a route to higher states of being. Tantric principles are similar to those of hatha yoga – there is a universal power and we are all one; the body can be mastered and does not rule the mind, and we should be aware of the energy coursing through us. The tantric approach to sex encourages awareness of the sexual experience itself and the flow of energy between partners.
Learn how to heal your man with tantric male g-spot massage!
Yoga Safety
Generally, yoga taught by a qualified and experienced teacher is an extremely safe way of improving your health. Make sure that the class is not too big, so that you will get proper attention from your teacher. Consult your doctor before joining a class if you have any medical condition or are pregnant. You will probably still be able to take part in yoga but you may need a specially devised program of exercise.
Yoga Is Good For:
- Stress related illnesses
- Fatigue
- Migraine
- Depression
- PMS
- Arthritis
- Back pain
- Aging
- Mobility problems
Yoga:
AVAILABILITY – Widespread
MEDICAL EVIDENCE – Good
MEDICAL ACCEPTANCE – Good
SELF HELP – Possible
Really helpful! great post indeed!