So, What Is Yoga?
I have always been attracted to the ‘common sense’ of Yoga and this why I feel it has an even greater place in the ever-more frenetic lifestyles of those of us in the west. Multi-tasking has become the name of the game and because of this, taking time out is becoming more and more important. Working in a peaceful and relaxing environment is bound to give us benefits. Working with the breath and improving our lung capacity has an automatic calming effect on the mind and body and becoming more flexible enables us to carry out our daily activities more efficiently and with more energy. All of this is common sense to me.
Body awareness is also a precious gift which Yoga can give us. We become more aware of our strengths and weaknesses, how we breathe, how we move and how we can improve in every field, even putting the biological clock back by doing things we haven’t been able to do for years. All these things contribute to greater body confidence and control and this is why I like to call myself Harmony Yoga.
Body awareness is also a precious gift which Yoga can give us. We become more aware of our strengths and weaknesses, how we breathe, how we move and how we can improve in every field, even putting the biological clock back by doing things we haven’t been able to do for years. All these things contribute to greater body confidence and control and this is why I like to call myself Harmony Yoga.
Yoga As A Discipline
Most people become attracted to Yoga for the physical movements and stretching it provides. Many are happy to continue on this path but others may become interested in the philosophical teachings of Yoga and also its more spiritual aspect and may wish to pursue these through personal readings or workshops. Either way we can view each aspect of Yoga to suit our own personal interests.
There are many different styles of Yoga but perhaps the most popular form in the west is Hatha Yoga. This is the style I mainly teach although, like many teachers, I also include other elements from other styles such as Astanga. Hatha Yoga is based on the principles set out by the sage Patanjali in his work The Yoga Sutras (sutras meaning thread), from around 2,000 years ago. This work set out clearly an eight-limbed Yogic path of self improvement and development which is still followed by many today.
I have briefly outlined this eight-limbed path as follows:
YAMA - This is the first ‘limb’ in the path and it focuses on non-violence, non-stealing, non-clinging to objects of desire, honesty and abstinence.
NIYAMA - The second ‘limb’ focuses on personal cleanliness, contentment and satisfaction for what we have, being disciplined in our practice and studying spiritual texts.
ASANA - The third limb focuses on the practising of the physical postures (the term ‘asana’ in Sanskrit is often translated as ‘posture’).
PRANAYAMA - Practising breath control (‘prana’ means ‘breath’ or ‘energy’). In the Yoga world we say; ‘Control the breath and you control the mind.’
PRATYAHARA - The fifth ‘limb’ refers to the withdrawal of the senses from the outside world in order to obtain a state of calm. This is achieved through a variety of techniques.
DHARANA - This is the concentration of the mind on one object or thought in order to still the ‘chattering mind.’ This is seen as the fundamental prerequisite for the final two ‘limbs.’
DHYANA - This stage takes the level of concentration further until the mind becomes calm and completely focused.
SAMADHI - This is the highest state of achievement and can only be obtained when all the other stages are perfected and the practitioner becomes free of all earthly ties and feels one with the universe. This is nicely summed up by Ashtavakra Gita (800-400 BCE) when he says;
“It is you that pervades this universe, and this universe exists in you. Your true nature is pure consciousness.”
There are many different styles of Yoga but perhaps the most popular form in the west is Hatha Yoga. This is the style I mainly teach although, like many teachers, I also include other elements from other styles such as Astanga. Hatha Yoga is based on the principles set out by the sage Patanjali in his work The Yoga Sutras (sutras meaning thread), from around 2,000 years ago. This work set out clearly an eight-limbed Yogic path of self improvement and development which is still followed by many today.
I have briefly outlined this eight-limbed path as follows:
YAMA - This is the first ‘limb’ in the path and it focuses on non-violence, non-stealing, non-clinging to objects of desire, honesty and abstinence.
NIYAMA - The second ‘limb’ focuses on personal cleanliness, contentment and satisfaction for what we have, being disciplined in our practice and studying spiritual texts.
ASANA - The third limb focuses on the practising of the physical postures (the term ‘asana’ in Sanskrit is often translated as ‘posture’).
PRANAYAMA - Practising breath control (‘prana’ means ‘breath’ or ‘energy’). In the Yoga world we say; ‘Control the breath and you control the mind.’
PRATYAHARA - The fifth ‘limb’ refers to the withdrawal of the senses from the outside world in order to obtain a state of calm. This is achieved through a variety of techniques.
DHARANA - This is the concentration of the mind on one object or thought in order to still the ‘chattering mind.’ This is seen as the fundamental prerequisite for the final two ‘limbs.’
DHYANA - This stage takes the level of concentration further until the mind becomes calm and completely focused.
SAMADHI - This is the highest state of achievement and can only be obtained when all the other stages are perfected and the practitioner becomes free of all earthly ties and feels one with the universe. This is nicely summed up by Ashtavakra Gita (800-400 BCE) when he says;
“It is you that pervades this universe, and this universe exists in you. Your true nature is pure consciousness.”
