Definition of Pranayama

"Pranayama" is defined by Dictionary.com in one manner

Pranayama

1.  A type of yogic breath awareness and regulation exercise designed to help control one's vital energy.

Pranayama is further described as the fourth of the eight stages intended to lead the student to samadhi, a state of perfect concentration.  The immediate goal of pranayama is to reduce breathing to an effortless, even rhythm, thus helping to free the individual's mind from attention to bodily function *Encyclopedia Britannica.

Definition of Hatha yoga

"Hatha' yoga is defined by Merriam-webster in one manner

Hatha yoga

1.  A system of physical exercises for the control and perfection of the body that constitutes one of the four chief hindu disciplines.

Hatha is further described as a school of Yoga most widely practiced in America that stresses mastery of the body as a way of attaining a state of spiritual perfection in wich the mind is withdrawn from external objects *Encyclopedia Britannica.  Hatha Yoga uses bodily postures, breath techniques and meditation with the goal of bringing about a sound, healthy body and a clear, peaceful mind.  Hatha yoga postures stretch and align the body, promoting balance and flexibility *Encyclopdia.com.

Definition of Asana

"Asana" is defined by *Merriam-Webster in one manner

Asana

1.  Any of various yogic postures

Asana is further described as "sitting posture" in the Yoga system of Indian Philosophy- an immobile bodily posture that a person assumes in an attempt to isolate the mind by freeing it from attention to bodily functions.  It is the third of the eight prescribed stages intended to lead the aspirant [student] to samadhi, the trancelike state of perfect concentration.  As many as 32 or more asanas have been [counted].  *Encyclopedia Britannica

Not everyone for Yoga

I immediately developed an appreciation and a love for Yoga upon my first class, and though it is true that Yoga has picked up quite a few followers in the past couple of years and classes seem to overflow with students I seem to meet more individuals who say Yoga is not for them.

Eager to share my interest I took both my sister and my brother to a level one class.  My brother who is an avid bicyclist and a devoted Christian seemed to like the class in the physical sense, he was able to appreciate the stretches that are often urged of bicyclists.  My sister a devoted mother to two boys and occasional turbo-boxer at the gym understood Yoga less.  To those new to Yoga or perhaps not properly introduced are put off by the slow-pace of the class and don't seem to understand the nature of the practice, 'why is the entire class about stretching?'  Is most likely the question from every new student.

Needless to say, my brother and my sister never returned to take classes.  They have grown accustomed to a fast-pace exercise where the ultimate results are burning carbohydrates and weighing less on the scale, and so, it is that Yoga is not for them.. Yoga is not for everyone.  And that's okay.

So, should you attend your first Yoga class and find that you're not quite sure, go back for a second and perhaps a third only to feel the same, then perhaps Yoga is not for you, and that's okay, because Yoga is not for everyone.

Definition of Yogi

The Merriam-Webster dictionary has three descriptions of Yogi:

Yogi

1.  A person who practices yoga

2.  An adherent of Yoga philosophy

3.  A markedly reflective or mystical persons

On this note, I like to think of my yoga instructors as Yogis while I myself am just a student.  I like to specifically use the term "Yogi" to define a person who has practiced Yoga in depth as more than just an exercise regimen or a hobby.

What is Yoga?

Now that we have properly defined Yoga, what is Yoga?

I came to ask myself this question quite recently, and perhaps it is the reason why I began my search of a deeper understanding of Yoga by creating this blog, Intricacies of Yoga.  A month into my Yoga classes and I'm a dedicated student attending classes at least three times a week.  No matter which Yoga class I am attending it all begins the same...

Sitting down, legs crossed, palms pressed together at the front of the chest as if in prayer, there is a moment of quiet, sometimes the Yogi (instructor) will say a word or two sometimes not, there follows a song or three 'Ohms' in which the students may follow if comfortable.  Then class begins and a succession of postures are performed with detailed instructions by the Yogi.

In these classes I can see what is repeatedly emphasized:  relaxation, breath and correct alignment.  In certain classes I can see that the Yogi is trying to explain the importance of a peaceful state of mind.  And I ask myself, what is the whole goal of Yoga?

One thing to me is very clear, and that is that Yoga is more than just a fitness routine.  I go to my classes and I do well to perform the postures correctly and to be relaxed, but I feel that there is something missing from it, the knowledge of what it is and what can be obtained- this is the answer that I seek, for what then is the repeated emphasis on relaxation, breath, peaceful state of mind and postures that do more to make you limber than burn away the pound of butter you ate, all for?

So I ask, what is Yoga?

*swamij.com

While in the modern world Yoga is easily seen to many as a physical regimen, Yoga is actually quite different in the traditional sense.  In the traditional understanding of Yoga, the goal of Yoga is Yoga itself, a union of the little self and the True Self, a process of awakening to this 'union' is called Yoga.

There are many levels to conquer before achieving Yoga, the student trains all level of the being:  relationships, self-exploration, senses, body, breath and mind - none of these however are the goal of Yoga but it is through training in these areas that the student may learn to achieve Yoga.

Relationships - building a better, non-violence, non-possessive, non-stealing, truthfulness relationship with the world.

Senses - the student trains the senses to be able to consciously regulate them in positive ways.

Body - the student works with the body for flexibility, strength and steadiness.

Breath - the student trains the breath to make it smooth, slow and serene.

Mind - the student deals with the mind at all levels.

Once the above obstacles cease to be obstacles through the student's training (hence they are emphasized in practice) the realization of the Self, Truth or Reality that is being sought is uncovered.  Thus the process by which a student obtains the Self, Truth or Reality resulting in the union of the self and the Ultimate Principle is Yoga, however this union is also called Yoga.

Definition of Yoga

It only seems right to begin with the definition of Yoga as a way to start off on the correct foot.


Here Yoga is described in three ways *Dictionary.com

1.  A school of Hindu philosophy advocating and prescribing a course of physical and mental disciplines for attaining liberation from the material world and union of the self with the Supreme Being or ultimate principle.

2.  Any of the methods or disciplines prescribed, especially a series of postures (asanas) and breathing exercises practiced to achieve control of the body and mind, tranquility, etc.

3.  Union of the self with the Supreme Being or ultimate principle (this union is called Yoga, thus the goal of Yoga is Yoga)

My first Yoga class

I had taken exactly two Yoga classes prior to taking a Yoga class at a Yoga studio.  The very first time I took a Yoga class was at 24 Hour Fitness gym in Los Angeles, the second time I took a Yoga class was at an Equinox gym in San Francisco- the latter was better than the first but it wasn't quite at all like taking a Yoga class in a Yoga studio, and so my first Yoga class in a Yoga studio was very different, unexpectedly different... I loved it, this was for me- I knew this after my first class.

Living in a city such as Los Angeles where life is always busy inside you, with you and around you I found it challenging to keep mentally and physically with the slow-pace of Yoga, but I am a very good listener and I follow instructions rather well, the instructor said in the quiet of the class as her calm and soothing voice reverberated slightly in the large wood-floored studio,

"deep long breaths"

I took deep long breaths, inhale - exhale.

"relax your face, your jaw"

I relaxed my face and my jaw.

"just let go, your in a safe space now, it's ok, there's no need to hang on any longer"

And I let go.

After a hour and half of deep stretching and breathing I exited the class feeling surprisingly renewed, refreshed and feeling exceedingly good.  I felt limber and most of all, relaxed, a relaxation I'm not used to feeling- I suppose I have forgotten what it feels like to be relaxed.  I bicycled home that day in high spirits and knew right away that Yoga was for me.