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What is yoga?
The word “yoga” means to “unite” or “yoke” as
in the uniting (or yoking) of mind, body and spirit.
Yoga originated in India thousands of years ago and is
considered to be the oldest system of personal development
in the world. The system is complex and involves a variety
of aspects. The type of yoga widely practiced in the
west is various forms of hatha yoga, a subtype of raja
yoga, and refers to any yoga that is physical and/or
involves an asana practice. Under the general term “hatha” yoga
there are a variety of styles. The founders of the three
major styles – Ashtanga, Iyengar and Viniyoga – were
all students of Krishnamacharya, a famous teacher from
Mysore, India. Today in America there are teachers
of many different styles
of yoga and new styles are popping up all the time. It
is useful to sample various styles in order to arrive
at a personal preference. The differences in styles are
usually about emphasis, such as focusing on strict alignment
of the body, coordination of breath and movement, holding
the postures, or the flow from one posture to another.
What is Ashtanga yoga?
Ashtanga yoga, also known
as “power yoga” is
a system of hatha yoga that has become widely known through
the teachings of Sri K Pattabhi Jois, the contemporary
father of this practice. Ashtanga yoga is designed to
increase flexibility, strength, and stamina while also
having a calming and centering effect on the mind. It
can be a wonderful supplement to the exercise you currently
do, or it can serve as the only exercise you need to
do.
There are two distinquishing features of Ashtanga yoga.
First, it has a focus on vinyasa which means “breath-synchronized
movement.” With Ashtanga you learn to synchronize
postures with a specific breathing technique (ujjayi
pranayama) in order create a continual flow of action.
Second, with ashtanga, there is a specialized sequence
of the postures. Successive poses within the series are
complementary so that each posture prepares the body
for the pose to follow.
Ashtanga literally means “eight limbs or branches.” The
physical side of Ashtanga is just one of these branches.
There have been many interpretations of these eight limbs
but in the briefest sense they are the following: yama
(social discipline), niyama (individual discipline),
asana (physical postures), pranayama (breath control),
pratyahara (sense withdrawl), dharana (concentration),
dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (a state of joy and
peace). It is left up to the individual to choose the
degree to which one addresses these aspects of the ashtanga
practice.
What if I am not flexible or strong; can I do this practice?
Absolutely. We all start at the beginning. Strength and
flexibility develop as a result of a regular practice;
they are not a prerequisite.
What if I am overweight and/or deconditioned?
Yoga is not for everybody
but it’s for virtually
any BODY who wants to do it. Yoga meets you where you are.
Modifications are available for all postures.
What do I need to participate?
An open mind, empty stomach, and bare feet.
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