What is Yoga?
What is Yoga?
Yoga is translated from Sanskrit to mean ‘to yoke’ or ‘to unite’ this meaning is the union of the body, mind and breath.
“Yoga is an ancient art based on an extremely subtle science, that of body, mind, and soul. The prolonged practice of yoga will, in time, lead the student to a sense of peace and a feeling of being at one with their environment” BKS Iyengar, YOGA the Path to Holistic Health
“In philosophical terms, the union of the individual self, (jivatma) with universal self (paramatma),is yoga”
Yoga is how we live consciously in every moment not only in physical practice. Yoga asana is the way we use the body as a tool to enable greater awareness, physically, mentally, and spiritually.
In the yoga room we move our bodies with breath to unite mind, body, and soul. It is within this union that we awaken and direct prana (life force energy) to raise our human consciousness and eventually reach the ultimate goal of enlightenment.
When we as teachers, develop an understanding of what yoga is through practice and introspection, can we develop a firm learning environment for others seeking the true benefits of yoga.
One might first consider yoga to be a collection of exercises for the body and relaxation for the mind. We do achieve these extensive benefits, such as.
- Weight management
- Toned and improved strength of muscles
- Gain flexibility
- Improved digestion
- Improved posture
- Balanced endocrine system
- Stronger bones
- Improved circulation and lymph flow
- Injury prevention
- Reduced anxiety
- Improved sleep patterns
- Rehabilitation after injury or illness,
but we also begin to understand that these benefits are in fact, only part of the holistic science of yoga.
With this in mind, we can meet our students where they are, and allow the physical postures of yoga, to gently release stagnant energy and limited movement, and improve the workings of the internal organs. Your students might notice that they begin to sleep better, have more energy, or even have a clearer mind. As a yoga teacher, we give each student the space and time to discover the benefits, which in turn empowers them to be stronger and then can unlock their own potential.