I want to take you to a little tour into the amazing world of yoga.
If you are a beginner, then welcome to the world of yoga! If you have been practicing yoga for a while, then you already know how yoga affects the quality of life; yet, perhaps you will find something new and interesting for yourself.
Yoga became fashionable practice. It is admired by actors and athletes, by hippies and hipsters, by younger and older folks. We hear a lot about the benefits of yoga, its ability to reduce stress, chronic pain, and the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. What we do not hear so often is the story of yoga. Therefore, let’s start with its historical roots.
Where did yoga come from?
Historians are not sure when the concept or practice of yoga first appeared and continue to debate it until this day. For the first time the term “yoga” is found in ancient Indian Rig Vedas, about 2000 years BC. Vedas, compiled in Vedic Sanskrit, are the oldest works of Hinduism and Sanskrit literature. Moreover, it is one of the oldest known texts in the world!
Interesting fact: as it is believed Vedas appeared after the invasion of Hindustan by Aryan tribes, who came from northern regions of Eurasia. Within the ten centuries that passed from penetration of Aryans to the appearance of the Vedas, yoga, as an element of the culture of Hindustan, was assimilated among the conquerors. But, since the physical realities of the northern regions of the Earth are reflected in the Vedas, there is an alternative point of view, according to which yoga was brought to India by the Aryans!
For hundreds of years, the term “yoga” encompassed many things, most of which were religious and / or spiritual. Over time, the teaching was developed and changed. Separate complexes of physical exercises (asanas) gradually appeared. For centuries, asanas were tested in various conditions by different people; and, human wisdom has retained only the most valuable and most useful of them. This is how a prototype of modern yoga appeared – the path of psychophysical self-improvement. The main goal of yoga is balance; a balance within oneself, a balance between the inner self and the outside world.
The historical science attributes the separation of yoga as an independent system to the legendary Indian sage Patanjali (according to different sources, 11-1 century BC). In his work “Yoga Sutras,” he outlined the philosophy and practice of yoga that is now recognized as classical. Patanjali is not the author of the philosophical system of yoga; he only collected existing knowledge and experience, place and commented them as a single teaching.
In “Yoga Sutras,” Patanjali divided yoga into eight parts:
1) Yamas is the ethical rules and can be thought of as moral imperatives;
2) Niyama is lifestyle prescriptions;
3) Asana is a variety of postures and body positions;
4) Pranayama is breathing exercises associated with a reset of energy;
5) Pratyahara is a consciously closing one’s mind processes to the sensory world, mental relaxation;
6) Dharana is concentration, introspective focus and one-pointedness of mind;
7) Dhyana is contemplating, reflecting on whatever Dharana has focused on, regulated stream of consciousness;
8) Samadhi is an altered, ecstatic state of consciousness.
These eight steps, called the octal path, create the classical yoga system that includes three large layers, three directions of human development. First, it is an ethical, moral sphere (yamas and niyama). Secondly, it is physical development, improvement of the body (asana and pranayama). Thirdly, it is the development of human mental forces (the next four steps). Thus, human development on the octal path is comprehensive and harmonious. This holistic system leads a person to achieving perfect health. Health as a state of complete physical, spiritual and social well-being of a person, not just the absence of disease.
When did yoga become so popular in the Western world?
In the middle of the XIX century, many Western intellectuals were intrigued by Indian culture and yoga, as an important part of it. Many believe that yoga became popular in the West thanks to Swami Vivekananda, a Hindu monk who toured Europe and the USA in the 1890s, spreading knowledge about Hinduism among the high society. However, Hatha Yoga (what we are most familiar with now) did not become common practice in the United States until the 1930s and 40s. In the 60s, when the ideology of Hinduism and Buddhism became so popular among ordinary young Americans, the hippie era, the number of people keen on yoga increased dramatically. At that time, a huge number of Indian yoga teachers entered the United States. Finally, in the 1980s, it became even more popular due to the first reports of health benefits. This was the first time yoga was viewed as a practice with purely physical benefits, but not as a practice leading to the state of Samadhi, i.e. nirvana.
Now, let me as a person who’s been practicing yoga for over 15 years, assure you that, whatever your age and physical condition is, doing yoga strength and stretching exercises, using its breathing and relaxation techniques will help you improve your health, and therefore upgrade the quality of life.
Even though yoga is an effective tool to fight diseases, it is not a fast-acting remedy. Do not expect great results in a week or even a month (although some people start to notice changes for the better almost immediately). I want to draw your attention that the biggest difference between yoga and traditional medicine is that the longer you practice yoga, the more effective your practice become. This is not the case with drugs or surgeries, effects of which gradually fade with time. Of course, I do not mean dangerous infections or cases requiring urgent surgical intervention!
Moreover, most practitioners say that the longer you practice, the more yoga becomes exciting and interesting. I have not heard anyone saying this about doing squats in the gym or running on a treadmill. Perhaps this is because yoga practice is a balance. The balance between tension and relaxation, between strength and flexibility, between endurance and the ability to understand yourself and not to harm yourself. And yes, we all strive for balance and harmony.
To finish this story, I want to mention some stereotypes and misconceptions that prevent some people from accepting yoga and getting its benefits. Why do some people think yoga is unacceptable for them? So, here are the typical myths about yoga and the facts that disprove them.
Myth 1. To do yoga, you need to be flexible.
“I’m not flexible enough to do yoga.” This phrase is so ridiculous that causes if not perplexity then a smile from practitioners. Of course, if you have a flexible body, practicing yoga is a pleasure. But, yoga is not limited solely to the development of super flexibility, and reaching a pretzel pose is not a goal. Oftentimes, beginners who want to quickly achieve success in yoga, begin forcing it, trying to throw a leg over a head. That’s why there are various injuries and a completely distorted concept of practice.
Answer: In most cases, excellent flexibility is the result of years of practice, and not an innate gift. Yoga is a set of exercises aimed at the general improvement, strengthening and relaxation of the body. Among these exercises, there are a lot of dynamic and strength poses, which after themselves require stretching exercises in order to reduce tension. Hence, as an excuse, one can say that I am not strong enough, enduring, soulful, intelligent and so on.
Myth 2. Yoga implies asceticism.
Yoga is not compatible with joys of life because it’s based on asceticism and detachment from this mortal world. Yogis became fanatics who literally terrorize society with reasonings about the right way of life or, opposite way, completely ignoring all problems.
Answer: Yoga is an instrument of self-knowledge that should help a person open the heart to love and happiness, and there is no place for disinterest or criticism. Yogi is not the one who sleeps on nails and constantly meditates, but a peaceful and kind person. A person who has learned to listen to himself and live in harmony with himself and the outside world.
Myth 3. Yoga is a sect.
Another statement that can mostly be heard from the older generation. If yoga came from India and is based on Hinduism, it is not compatible with other religions. Furthermore, after hearing a couple of mantras, someone will look at you with condemnation, and someone will even limit relationship with you!
Answer: Yoga has nothing to do with religion or sect. Orthodox and Muslims, Shintoists, and atheists, everyone who wish, can do it. Yoga does not impose any rituals, does not require donations. Chanting mantras is not praying, but rather a set of sounds that resonate in a certain way and send vibrations that improve the inner state of a person (of any religion).
Myth 4. People do not lose weight from yoga.
Even though you can hardly find an overweight yogi (one who does yoga regularly), there is a perception that such a “passive” practice as yoga cannot ensure the rapid burning of calories, such as intense cardio loads.
Answer: Firstly, it depends on the style of yoga – if you want to lose weight, go to the class of Ashtanga or Vinyasa, and soon you will realize that you are at the right place. Secondly, the main advantage of yoga is that with the asanas and pranayama you can “reach” the muscles and organs that are inaccessible in the gym or on a treadmill; muscles which are mainly used to stabilize the spine and joints. So, this significantly improves metabolism and speeds up digestion. Third, when you hold one position for 50-60 seconds, the maximum amount of muscle fibers is involved in the work, and more anabolic hormones are produced. Anabolic hormones promote protein synthesis, the breakdown of fat, and the maintenance of youth.
I hope I was able to dismiss some of the most common misperceptions! Come to the class and see for yourself!