FAQs

Q1. What is Yoga?

Yoga is the science of self-acceptance, self-empowerment and self-evolution. Yoga makes us live consciously with acceptance and work on ourselves to develop inner potential and confidence to face daily life situations and to steadily become totally independent and balanced.

Q2. Is Yoga a sport?

The general perception of Yoga is that of physical manipulation and exercise. Though Physical postures (Asanas) are an important part of the Yoga system it’s not the end. It is much more than that. Yoga is a science of the ‘total’ individual and the body is just one part of the individual. In that sense, it is a style of living and not something that you do 2 or 3 times a week.

Q3. Is Yoga a religion?

No, it is the science of individual evolution; in that sense it is not a religion. Yoga is beyond religion and race.

Q4. What is Hatha Yoga?

One of methods of working towards your self-evolution takes the road that accept the body and works with it. This is the science of Hatha Yoga which works primarily the body and steadily going towards the higher and subtle stages of self-work called – Raja Yoga (Mental Yoga).

Q5. What is ‘Asana’?

Asana is any posture of the body which is steady and comfortable enough to make awareness move inwards.

Q6. What are ‘Styles’ of yoga?

Many recent Yoga teachers have integrated their teachings to form a method of execution of Hatha Yoga postures forming different styles of Yoga. All ‘physical’ yoga generally has basis in Hatha Yoga.

Q7. I am not flexible. Can I do yoga?

This should be a good reason for you to start a steady and guided Yoga practice routine under a teacher with whom you can build a good bond.

Q8. Can you give some guidelines for starting Yoga Asana practice?

It is essential to remember the following before and during your Yoga Asana practice:

- Understand each asana properly before practicing it.
- The stomach should be empty while practicing, leave a gap of at least 3 hours after meals before you start your yoga practice.
- Practice it slowly along with your teacher with the breathing instructions.
- Do not hold the breath anytime.
- Try to follow the instructions as much as you can without any trouble.
- Please be mindful while doing the postures, know your limit and work on them. Stop if your muscles feel too strained and if you feel severe pain, ask your teacher for alternates to the posture.
- Be patient. Body and mind work takes time. Enjoy the means and you will reach the end happily.
- Remember Yoga is not a competition. Not even with yourself.
- If you are in a group class, concentrate on your own practice and do not look around.
- Always be in control of your movements and guide them with your breath and awareness, this will make your yoga practice a ‘complete experience’.
- In the initial stages take intermittent breaks between the postures and try to sense the various sensations in your body. This is active relaxation between the asanas.
- As far as possible keep your eyes closed during the practice, this allows you to move inwards quickly.
- Listen to your body, its better to be safe than sorry.

Q9. Can you mention some benefits of Yoga?

The combined practice of three main variables of yoga like physical asanas, meditation and breathing can help to-

• Improve muscle tone, flexibility, strength and stamina.
• Yogic breathing shows promising results in increasing lung capacity and the treatment of pulmonary and autonomic function in asthma patients
• It lowers body fat, improves blood circulation, stimulates the immune system.
• Reducing stress and tension. This helps in the cure of depression, calms the frenzy, clears mental clutter and allows us to get back in touch with ourselves.
• Helps boost self esteem in participants, inculcating a sense of purpose in their life and helps in giving confidence.
• Improves concentration, creativity and above all a sense of well being and peace.
• Mindfulness meditation helps stress reduction, improving physical and mental health and leads to improved changes in attitudes, beliefs and behaviors
• The results of a disciplined yoga practice can be enhanced much more if one follows all the recommended restraints (Yama) and observances (Niyama) in everyday life and by living a balanced life.