The great, awesome and confusing thing about yoga is that you can ask 100 people this question and get 100 different answers. Yoga can be physical practice, a mental challenge or an amazing spiritual journey - and with that it can be just one or all three. It is what you make it. My advise? Just try it and see what happens.
A Condensed Soup Version of Yoga History
Yoga, as we've all heard, is really old - like ancient Indian text old. It was pulled from the same book, the Vedas, that Buddhism and Hinduism were derived. Yoga was initially intended as a meditative practice meant to quiet the mind to allow connection with the Divine (that's God everybody - whomever your God is). About 2000 years, the Yoga Sutras were written by an scholar and explorer of yoga - named Patanjali. This was the first time that the "8 Limbs of Yoga" (that are commonly referenced) were laid out. It's important to note, that the handful of poses described were all seated meditative postures (ie: sitting Indian style). There were no Eagles, no Warriors and no Sun Salutations. Then came the late 1800's/early 1900's. The ancient philosophy of yoga was combined with a form of advanced calithetics and....TA-DAH...what we know as yoga was created - Triangles, Crows and Dead Bugs. The modern day yoga founder, Krichnamacharya, just died in 1989. Two out of his three most talented students are still alive and have helped to create the 1000's of active, physical postures we currently practice.
Types of Yoga
Coming from my background in martial arts, I find it very easy to relate the yoga with martial arts in this category. Just as there is beautiful soft Tai Chi and extreme UFC Fighting...there is a Yoga for everyone. During my teacher training we did several mini-immersions in different styles of yoga. A guest teacher would come and give us a 90 minute lecture about their specialty of yoga and then lead us in a 90 minute class. It was such great exposure and at the same time such excellent confirmation that I have found the right style for me. I would encourage everyone to try different types of yoga and see what is best for you. Some common types of yoga I've experienced are Iyengar (alignment focused, use of blocks, bolsters and chairs to get you into correct alignment), Yin Yoga (active, long holds - like 5 minutes - of deep stretching postures, mostly sitting/laying), Birkam (a sequence of 26 postures in a very heated room), Ashtanga (focus on strength and an inward gaze...this is what scarybuff Madonna totally went crazy on...but don't worry, it's not as scary as she makes it look), and Viniyoga (known as yoga therapy, the practice of adaptation, a great place to go if you have severe injury or limitations).
I practice and teach Power Vinyasa Yoga. The word Vinyasa means "flow" and the word Power means "awesome" (haha, you get my drift, I love it). Power Vinyasa is basically a term used in the West to describe a vigorous, fitness based approach to yoga. I especially like Power Vinyasa in a heated room...not super hot like Birkam but a nice summer 90 degrees is just perfect. The heat helps to create a softness in the muscles for added stretch. However, if you've ever done a hot yoga before, you know it also creates a stress to the body and mind. Exposing yourself to that stress and breathing your way through it actually helps retrain your parasympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) to stay calm in other stressful situations....and who doesn't want that?!
Strange words you'll probably hear in a yoga class....
Yoga terminology is in Sanskrit. It is one of the oldest languages in the world and is mostly associated with India. Sanskrit is composed of 49 letters making translation and pronunciation (at least for me) somewhat difficult.
Ujjayi Breath – This is a breathing technique typically done throughout the entire practice. By contracting the throat passage, you create the sound of the ocean (well, lets call a spade a spade – it sounds like Darth Vader). Breathing through the nose, keep inhales and exhales equal in duration and hear your breath. This style of breathing is said to increase oxygenation, build internal heat and regulate blood pressure during practice. I find that it gives my practice rhythm and sets my pace. It also helps to keep me grounded while creating an almost meditative quality to my flow.
Drishti – This mean gaze. What is gaze? A great teacher once told me “it’s where you’re looking.” Gaze is important because it brings focus and balance to your posture. It also helps you to embody attitude. Looking down has a much different feeling in your body than looking up does. Your body tends to go where your eyes go…you know, like when you’re driving and drift into the next lane while you’re checking your blind spot. Utilize this in your practice and you will find yourself going further in twists and lifting deeper into backbends.
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| Om Symbol |
Om (mmmmmm) – This is a sticky one. Every teacher I’ve heard speak on Om has a wildly different interpretation of this two letter word. Some of the definitions for Om that I have heard are: it’s the sound of our vibrating earth, it means God, it’s a resilient yes and it’s just humming to calm the mind. The question “to Om or not to Om” is a personal one, I can’t tell you if it’s right for you (and nor can you tell me if it’s right for me). The studio I attend in Seattle typically does 3 Ommmm’s towards the beginning of every class. I was hesitant a first (I mean, I don’t even karaoke) but after drumming up 3 big, powerful, long Ommmm’s along with the 40 other people in the room – it gave me an immediate sense of community and powerful energy. It gave me that same feeling of when something awesome happens and you really land a good high five with a friend, like YEAH! So just like everything else pertaining to yoga I suggest you try it sometime. See how it feels and notice how the rest of your class goes. If you don’t like it, don’t do it – but please know and respect that it has a different meaning for every yogi.
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| Engaging Uddiyana |
Uddiyana Bandha – I had the hardest time understanding what this really was (until I saw a picture like this one). It’s commonly called the “abdominal lock.” Bringing your focus to your abdomen or belly button, contract all your muscles to lift up and in. I find that more I utilize this, the further my postures go. Being able to lift and lock your abdomen brings ease, lightness and control to the rest of your body – especially in postures like crow or any headstand. Most likely the common yogi, myself included, hasn’t mastered it like our friend to the left – but just bring some attention to it and see where it takes you.
Mula Bandha – Another “lock” but this one is bringing attention to the pelvic floor (yes ladies, those muscles). This helps to keep your pelvis neutral. It’s easy to be in Warrior II with your butt sticking out, but by engaging the pelvic floor muscles your butt draws in and creates better and safer alignment. Mula bandha is also great in tadasana, seated forward folds and down dog.
Namaste – a common salutation in the East, sort of like aloha is in Hawaii. Traditionally it is said times of respect and thanks. I like to end each class with an exchange of “Namaste” with my fellow yogis in the room.
For further education on wacky yoga words, please enjoy this video:
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