What is Yoga?
WHAT IS YOGA?
The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root Yuj meaning to bind, join, or yoke. It is also commonly referred to as union.
A mind body practice, it has a 5,000 year history in ancient Indian philosophy. Classical yoga is outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras (written sometime between 325-425 B.C.E) - widely regarded as the first compilation of the formal yoga philosophy. Patanjali defines the word yoga in the second sutra: “Yogas citta vritti nirodhah” – the restraint of the modifications of the mind stuff is yoga. He outlined an eight limbed path to yoga.
It can be argued that the origins of modern yoga as a physical practice was significantly influenced by the teachings and practices of Krishnamacharya in the 1930’s. He developed Ashtanga vinyasa and drew on many disciplines including yoga, gymnastics and Indian wrestling to develop dynamically performed asana sequences aimed at building physical fitness.
A mind body practice, it has a 5,000 year history in ancient Indian philosophy. Classical yoga is outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras (written sometime between 325-425 B.C.E) - widely regarded as the first compilation of the formal yoga philosophy. Patanjali defines the word yoga in the second sutra: “Yogas citta vritti nirodhah” – the restraint of the modifications of the mind stuff is yoga. He outlined an eight limbed path to yoga.
It can be argued that the origins of modern yoga as a physical practice was significantly influenced by the teachings and practices of Krishnamacharya in the 1930’s. He developed Ashtanga vinyasa and drew on many disciplines including yoga, gymnastics and Indian wrestling to develop dynamically performed asana sequences aimed at building physical fitness.
[Sources: Jivamukti Yoga Sharon Gannon and Davd Life, Light on Yoga B.K.S. Iyengar, Wikipedia Government of India Ministry of External Affairs]
"Yoga is more than a physical fitness regime.
It is a way to navigate the challenges of life, make difficult decisions,
a tool to help you to do what you couldn’t do before
and respond to different situations in different ways in mind, body and spirit."
It is a way to navigate the challenges of life, make difficult decisions,
a tool to help you to do what you couldn’t do before
and respond to different situations in different ways in mind, body and spirit."
WHY DO WE PRACTICE YOGA?
Many people practice yoga to improve flexibility, cope with stress, depression, trauma, back pain or for physical fitness and health and wellness.
Others, perhaps with a regular practice, may be looking for self-actualization, connection, empowerment, personal growth and transformation.
To some extent scientific research into the effects of yoga practice has become the evidence by which we frame the value of yoga but many yogis will acknowledge the benefits of yoga that science cannot explain, much like the way in which we appreciate art for its intrinsic values.
Others, perhaps with a regular practice, may be looking for self-actualization, connection, empowerment, personal growth and transformation.
To some extent scientific research into the effects of yoga practice has become the evidence by which we frame the value of yoga but many yogis will acknowledge the benefits of yoga that science cannot explain, much like the way in which we appreciate art for its intrinsic values.
The magic and art of yoga offers tools for self-reflection, self compassion, mindfulness and self-awareness.
There are a wide array of health benefits of yoga now being recommended by medical and healthcare specialists as an alternative way to treat a variety of disorders and as a more holistic approach to better health and wellness practices.
According to a recent scientific study on Yoga (Yoga Research Comes of Age: Scientific Review Charts the Many Health Benefits of Yoga – Part 1) the most commonly assessed physical benefits of yoga practice include flexibility, physical fitness, balance, muscular endurance and spinal mobility. The study indicated that yoga was most often related to improvements in flexibility in the lumbar spine and hamstrings. For strength, evidence shows poses like Warrior and Chair pose improve glute muscle (sit bones) strength.
Emerging evidence suggests that regular yoga practice is associated with improvements in working memory, reaction time, attention, processing speed and overall executive function.
The positive effects of yoga is also shown to reduce stress, improve emotional well being and mental health as well as reduced levels in PTSD symptoms, anxiety and panic disorders. Prenatal yoga is increasingly popular among expectant mothers hoping to relieve stress and increase well being during pregnancy.
A wide variety of other physical ailments and illnesses are being addressed through yoga such as hypertension, arthritis, relieving back pain, autoimmune conditions like asthma, COPD, type II diabetes, MS, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), neck pain, headaches, osteoporosis and to improve mobility and balance.
Research published in the National Center for Complimentary and Integrated Health (NIH) suggests yoga can help to support good health habits such as helping people quit smoking and motivating people who are obese or overweight to lose weight. The findings also suggested that yoga can improve sleep, relieve menopause symptoms and help people cope with depression. The NIH notes that yoga is among the options that the American College of Physicians recommends for treatment of chronic low back pain.
New research is now suggesting that yoga promotes mental benefits, such as a calmer, more relaxed mind. Using MRI scans, researchers detected more gray matter—brain cells—in certain brain areas in people who regularly practiced yoga, as compared with control subjects.
Yoga is more than a physical fitness regime. It is a way to navigate the challenges of life, make difficult decisions, a tool to help you to do what you couldn’t do before and respond to different situations in different ways in mind, body and spirit.
According to a recent scientific study on Yoga (Yoga Research Comes of Age: Scientific Review Charts the Many Health Benefits of Yoga – Part 1) the most commonly assessed physical benefits of yoga practice include flexibility, physical fitness, balance, muscular endurance and spinal mobility. The study indicated that yoga was most often related to improvements in flexibility in the lumbar spine and hamstrings. For strength, evidence shows poses like Warrior and Chair pose improve glute muscle (sit bones) strength.
Emerging evidence suggests that regular yoga practice is associated with improvements in working memory, reaction time, attention, processing speed and overall executive function.
The positive effects of yoga is also shown to reduce stress, improve emotional well being and mental health as well as reduced levels in PTSD symptoms, anxiety and panic disorders. Prenatal yoga is increasingly popular among expectant mothers hoping to relieve stress and increase well being during pregnancy.
A wide variety of other physical ailments and illnesses are being addressed through yoga such as hypertension, arthritis, relieving back pain, autoimmune conditions like asthma, COPD, type II diabetes, MS, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), neck pain, headaches, osteoporosis and to improve mobility and balance.
Research published in the National Center for Complimentary and Integrated Health (NIH) suggests yoga can help to support good health habits such as helping people quit smoking and motivating people who are obese or overweight to lose weight. The findings also suggested that yoga can improve sleep, relieve menopause symptoms and help people cope with depression. The NIH notes that yoga is among the options that the American College of Physicians recommends for treatment of chronic low back pain.
New research is now suggesting that yoga promotes mental benefits, such as a calmer, more relaxed mind. Using MRI scans, researchers detected more gray matter—brain cells—in certain brain areas in people who regularly practiced yoga, as compared with control subjects.
Yoga is more than a physical fitness regime. It is a way to navigate the challenges of life, make difficult decisions, a tool to help you to do what you couldn’t do before and respond to different situations in different ways in mind, body and spirit.
STYLES OF YOGA
There are many styles of yoga. Some originate from different classical traditions and some have evolved in more recent history and are customized to cater to specific needs, like 'Chair Yoga' or 'Prenatal Yoga'.
Click the link below for details of the different styles of yoga on offer in Bermuda.
Click the link below for details of the different styles of yoga on offer in Bermuda.
