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What are the main benefits of yoga?
To Relax
Yoga transforms stress! With patience and compassion, the musculo-skeletal system adjusts and realigns itself by releasing held patterns of tension and stiffness caused by negative thoughts, judgments, criticism, fear, and doubt. Yoga helps us become more aware of our mental, emotional, and physical patterns. Once we are aware of these patterns, we can release them and keep only the patterns that serve our highest good and create our greatest joy.
To Reshape
Others do yoga to become physically stronger, to lose weight, to tone musculature, or to become a better athlete. Athletes stick with yoga for the mental benefits and centering skills that become available both in and out of competition. Yoga restores your youth! As we age, we should be able to remain free of aches and pains and retain our ability to walk, bend, and stretch without discomfort. A steady yoga practice is a great way to maintain your youthful freedom.
To Heal
Many people enter the path of yoga because they are ready to heal themselves of old physical injuries or ailments or to heal emotionally. Yoga helps with this by working on your physical layers first and working to the emotional and spiritual layers as they are ready to be revealed.
To Connect
Still others attend class as part of their spiritual path to cultivate unity, enlightenment, and love. The physical postures provide a unique way to integrate thought into action. Encountering yoga's physical challenges with an open heart allows the student to know such spiritual attributes as grace, courage, and compassion.
What is the history of yoga?
The science and practice of yoga is over 5,000 years old, but it was only in the last 50 years or so that Yoga found its away across the continents to take root in American culture. The practice of Yoga was first introduced to the United States by several Yogi Masters around the turn of the last century, but Yoga as we know it today has its seeds of origin within the Yoga Sutras written by Patanjali about 800 BC. Though Patanjali identified eight limbs of yoga, most people are initially drawn to the physical aspect of yoga known as Asanas or physical postures. If these postures are practiced with integrity, grace, and balance, the seeds of the remaining seven limbs of yoga will take root and begin to sprout spontaneously in the student's life.
The eight limbs of yoga:
- Yama: Morals or principles of right living
- Niyama: Personal attitudes and practices that purify the mind and body
- Asana: Physical posture
- Pranayama: Breath consciousness or Breath Control
- Pratyahara: Sense integration
- Dharana: One-pointed concentration
- Dhyana: Meditation
- Samadhi: Absorption
Is Yoga a religion?
NO! Yoga does not preach a certain theology. It is a philosophy that began in India an estimated 5,000 years ago. The father of classical yoga is said to be Patanjali, who wrote the Yoga Sutras. These scriptures provide a framework for spiritual growth and mastery over the physical and mental body. It is not necessary to surrender your own religious beliefs to practice yoga.
Is Yoga a way to space out?
NO! Yoga does not cause you to hallucinate or lose control.
Will I have to twist myself into a pretzel?
NO! You don’t need to be flexible to start yoga. You just need to start. In fact, not being flexible makes you a perfect candidate for yoga! Many people think they need to be flexible to do yoga. But that’s like thinking you need to be strong to lift weights. We do the activity for the new benefits it brings us!
Is yoga a milk-based, creamy snack often flavored with fruit?
NO!
What should I wear to yoga class?
Anything that you can comfortably move in. Men usually wear t-shirt and shorts. Women may feel more comfortable in form-fitting clothing. Whatever feels comfy, won’t get in your way, and allows you to move is best. Special shoes are not required as we practice in bare feet.
Should I eat before class?
Generally speaking, it’s best to not eat 2-3 hours before class, depending on your metabolism, to allow your food to completely digest and also to give you energy for your class. In yoga class we do a lot of twisting and bending which will be less comfortable with food in your belly. If you have a very fast metabolism, consider eating something very light 30-45 minutes before class.
It’s my first time. I don’t have a mat. May I borrow one of yours?
YES! We have house mats that first time students may borrow and current students may use if they forget their own.
What if I need to leave early?
We strongly encourage you to stay for the entire class. Yoga is so much more than the physical postures. The postures prepare your body/mind for rest/relaxation (shavasana pose) at the end of class. Please don’t miss this most important part of class if you can help it.
What does Om mean?
Om is a mantra, or vibration, that is traditionally chanted at the beginning and end of yoga sessions. It is said to be the sound of the universe. Everything that exists pulsates, creating a rhythmic vibration. Chanting Om helps us to recognize this universal vibration which will help us to increase awareness of our surroundings and to feel a deeper connection.
How many times per week should I practice?
Yoga is amazing in that you will benefit from it no matter the frequency of your practice. Having said that, studies show that our bodies tend to forget and revert back to the old pattern after six days. To create a new pattern, new shape, or new skill level, we should practice more often than once a week. Twice or three times a week is wonderful! Your body can handle yoga every day if you desire. It’s not like weight lifting which tears the muscle and requires a recovery period for the muscle to repair and become bigger and stronger. Yoga is much gentler on your body yet you will develop tremendous “useful” strength from your consistent yoga practice.
If you cannot make it to Rishi’s at least twice a week, develop a home practice! You can do a nice yoga routine at home in only 20 minutes!
How is yoga different from other forms of fitness?
Yoga is unique because we focus on connecting our body and mind through our breath. This focus draws our attention inward where we learn to be more aware of our bodies and the busy-ness of our minds. Things start to shift: as our bodies become quieter, stronger, and more flexible so does our mind! This awareness also allows our practice and our lives to become more process oriented. We stay present in the moment, allowing us to be free from regret about the past and free from worry about the future.
Other forms of exercise such as running, bicycling, tennis, golf, skiing, hiking, swimming, etc. are wonderful activities. Don’t stop doing them! Your yoga practice will better prepare your body/mind for these fun activities. Yoga will rejuvenate, rebuild, and heal your body.
How do I wash my yoga mat?
Create a solution of two cups water with four drops of dish soap. Put the solution in a spray bottle. Spray your mat lightly with the soap solution. Rub with a sponge. Wipe your mat with clean water and then towel dry with a non-lint cloth. Another cleaning product that is effective is Simple Green available at your grocery store.
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