Yoga FAQ

What is yoga?

Yoga comes from the Sanskrit  root yuj, meaning union or joining.  Meaning joining of our bodies with the higher consciousness or inner self.  It  involves practices that bring us to the direct experience of that state of being within. It is not a religion or philosophy but a personal, experiential process. You can be of any faith or background and practice yoga.  And there are many different forms or paths of yoga.  All bring us to the same realization of self.

What is Hatha yoga?

Hatha yoga is a particular form of yoga that has been used with other disciplines to bring strength, flexibility, movement and form to the physical body and merge the mind and body into your consciousness. Self observation and awareness of the posturing of the body, muscles, bones and even organ systems  is a goal of a yoga practice. Poses (asanas) along with regulation of breath (pranayama) and a conscious mind is effective in releasing the tensions and stresses of modern day life and to benefit our body and mind through the practice of yoga.

Hatha yoga is appropriate for all levels of practitioners, from the first time beginner to the advanced yogi.  Its richness and content affect everyone. Whether it is practiced to realign, rebalance and rejuvenate the physical body and/or to prepare and practice in meditation, Hatha yoga always opens the heart and uplifts the spirit! 

What is pranayama?

Prana means that which is infinitely everywhere and ayama means to stretch or extend.  Simply put, it refers to the regulation of prana or the vital force of the breath.  On the deepest level, the purpose of working with our breath is to affect the mind.  The breath and mind are as intimately connected as a two-sided coin.  This relationship becomes apparent when we observe the breath in various situations, i.e. a stressful condition.  It is a barometer for the condition of our mind and also a means to affect change, to quiet the flow so that we are able to experience a quiet, peaceful mind.

The breath in relationship to postures guides us and helps to release tensions in the body.  It is important while practicing yoga to work to keep a nice steady, even breath and then move into the poses from the full consciousness of your own breath.  When you approach your practice with the consciousness of breath first then movement, tension or strain in your breath becomes an indication that you have gone beyond the limitations of your body.  Your breath becomes the intelligence guiding you appropriately through your practice.

Where do the names of the poses come from?

Sanskrit is a language of ancient India.  It is considered a sacred language because it originated directly from the deep meditative experiences of the Rishis, or sages who lived in the Indus Valley and became a written language around 1500 BC.  Linguistically speaking, Sanskrit is in the same family of languages as English as one of the earliest attested Indo-European language. 

We use Sanskrit names when referring to asanas as well as in other mantra practices and meditations. For instance the pose Downward facing dog in Sanskrit is Adho Mukha Svanasana (sounds like, Adho Mukha Shwanaasana) Pronouncing these names serves as a reminder of yoga's ancient practices.