Simply Yoga FAQ
What is Yoga?Yoga is an ancient Indian tradition dedicated to developing the body and mind. The word "yoga" means "yoke" or "union" and reflects this tradition’s emphasis on uniting and harmonizing the body, the breath, and the mind. "Hatha Yoga" is the name for all the types of yoga that use physical postures and movement (as distinct from other "branches" of yoga that primarily emphasize meditation, service to others, philosophical study, etc.).
The practice of Hatha Yoga helps the practitioner to develop optimal health, strength, and flexibility so as to free the mind. When our bodies are vibrant and open—free from aches and pains and illness—we have greater mental clarity and emotional freedom.
What benefits can I expect from practicing yoga?
Within a very short time of beginning a yoga practice, you can expect to notice improvements in your flexibility, strength, and stamina. You may also find that various aches and pains you have routinely experienced (such as an achy back or pain in your wrists) begin to diminish. Many people also notice increased feelings of calm and well being and a better ability to concentrate. Because yoga affects all the glands and organs of the body (including the brain) as well as the joints and muscles, its effects have the potential to be profoundly beneficial.
The health benefits of yoga have long been known in India and are increasingly being documented by Western medical researchers. The list of findings about yoga’s benefits is too long to summarize here but they include such effects as the lowering of LDL cholesterol, stress hormone-output, and (high) blood-pressure; and the stabilizing of blood-sugar levels, regulation of thyroid functioning, and strengthening of the immune system. Yoga has also been shown to improve cognitive functioning (memory, concentration, learning efficiency) and to relieve anxiety and depression. Yogic breathing has a profound effect on the nervous system; as you become aware of your breath and learn to work with it, you gain more control over the way you react to events in your life. The Indian yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar has developed specific sequences of postures to use therapeutically in the treatment of an extensive list of ailments ranging from digestive and respiratory disorders to mental and emotional difficulties. These are presented in his book Yoga: The Path to Holistic Health (Dorling Kindersley Press, 2001).
A regular practice of yoga will help to prevent injury from other sports or activities you engage in. Yoga helps you to develop a much greater awareness of your body and its alignment. When we are aware, we can move and carry ourselves in ways that are safe and efficient and we learn to avoid postures or movements that can lead to problems over time. Yoga also helps greatly to offset common effects of aging: it keeps your muscles, joints, and organs toned and lubricated, helps to prevent bone loss, and helps to prevent the constriction of range of motion that occurs when people are sedentary. Yoga is a form of exercise that you can practice for the rest of your life.
Why are there so many different kinds of yoga?
The tradition of Hatha Yoga has developed into numerous schools of yoga, many of which have become popular in the United States. As the practice of yoga continues to evolve, new schools of yoga with new names appear. Some of the most commonly taught types in the U.S. are Iyengar Yoga, which emphasizes precision of alignment, Ashtanga Yoga (sometimes called "Power Yoga"), which features vigorous sequences of movement, Bikram or "hot" yoga, which is done in a very heated room, and Kripalu Yoga and Integral Yoga, which emphasize integration of movement and breath. While the emphasis in these forms of yoga differs to some extent, they all have the same ultimate purpose: to promote health, awareness, and equanimity.
Is yoga a religion?
No. Yoga developed out of and alongside Hinduism in ancient India and also has influenced and been influenced by Buddhism and Jainism. But yoga is not itself a religion: it does not entail belief in any doctrines or deities. Yoga encourages each person to explore his or her own experience to discover what is true and what works. Yoga teachers differ widely in the extent to which they incorporate such elements as chanting and meditation into their teaching, so spiritual practices do form some part of many yoga classes. The freeing of the human spirit, in its broadest sense, is the goal of all yoga but spiritual principles may be either implicit or explicit in a given teacher’s approach to teaching.
Who can do yoga? Can I come to class if I have health concerns or limititations?
Virtually anyone can do and benefit from yoga, though different kinds of yoga are appropriate for different people. Those who are already fit and energetic will find in yoga a way to develop their physical potential further than ever before, but people of any age can do yoga and people with even serious adverse physical conditions (such as MS, arthritis, fibromyalgia, and cancer) can benefit from yoga that is appropriately tailored for their needs. You do not have to be flexible in order to practice yoga. A responsible yoga teacher will always encourage you to modify the postures to work for your body. Each body has its own strengths and its own challenges. Yoga helps us to develop the former and work wisely with the latter. Please remember to tell your teacher of your condition or limitation before class. Teachers are trained to modify, eliminate, and suggest alternate strategies to enable you to practce safely and intelligently.
Yoga is open to all people of all ages and levels of physical condition. Do not be put off from trying a yoga class because you feel that you are too old, too stiff, too fat, too thin, too tired, etc. Yoga is a process-oriented activity with something for everyone.
Would children benefit from doing yoga?
For children, yoga is an exciting, non-competitive, interactive and relaxing form of exercise. It promotes body awareness and interest in self-healthy. It helps children develop and maintain correct breathing and flexible and energetic bodies with good posture and muscular coordination. Besides the physical benefits, yoga works well in the area of cerebral well being. The children are encouraged to interact with one another, exchange ideas and experiment with innovative approaches to activities.
Last Modified: August 11, 2003