What You May Not Know About Yoga
Last year we considered writing a book called, Can Yoga Save The World? But when we discussed it with other people many were quite puzzled and asked: how can physical postures save the world? Which made us realize that modern-day yoga has, to a large extent, lost touch with the magnificence and breadth of its fundamental teachings. As blogger Waylon Lewis commented on our blog last week, "Unfortunately in the West it does seem yoga is forgetting its roots and is becoming just another cool new exercise."
Isaac, the manager at our local 24 Hour Fitness told us that people think yoga is just sitting in a room and humming, and, more importantly, that men won't go to a class as they think it is a woman's thing. This reminded Deb of when we were teaching in India and the participants were all men. They were very surprised to find a woman teaching yoga, as in India it is mostly men who do it. All this inspired us to talk more about what Yoga really means.
Ed trained at the Bihar School Of Yoga in India in 1969 and became a Swami (Yoga Master). He was taught how Yoga is an art, a science, and a way of life; that it teaches everything from the way we walk and talk to Self Realization. In other words it is not just learning how to stand on our head, but is, as Swami Satchidananda taught, actually learning how to stand on our feet.
There are various forms of yoga, just as there are different aspects to our nature, with a wealth of teachings for each form. Here we mention the five main branches of yoga, as well as Tantra Yoga, which little is known about and is the most misunderstood. The purpose of all forms of yoga is to enable the practitioner to develop a healthy body and mind, deep inner peace and, ultimately, to realize their true nature. For instance, through Bhakti yoga we awaken universal love and compassion; Karma yoga is the path of selfless action, where we surrender our own needs to the joy of service; and Jnana yoga is the path of philosophy and reflection, where we use the intellect to transcend the intellect.
Raja yoga, also known as the King of Yoga, is the most comprehensive and experiential path, and the one that can be most proven scientifically. Founded by the legendary Indian master Patanjali, he outlined eight steps. In the first two steps he gives clear instructions on how to live an ethical and caring life through practicing harmlessness (ahimsa), being truthful, not being greedy, or indulging in addictions. It outlines the importance of having a healthy lifestyle, and the need for self-reflection so that we become more aware of our own habits and mental tendencies.
The third step is the practice of physical postures or asanas, which literally means seat. The idea is to practice different postures so that our body is able to sit comfortably and without tension in meditation. The fourth step is pranayama or breath control, with a variety of different breathing techniques that calm the mind and body while increasing the inner energy. The fifth step is the withdrawal of the mind from the senses, as practiced in deep inner conscious relaxation (see Ed's CD, Yoga Nidra). Here we turn the mind within and do not identify with the objects of the world, with our desires or senses, but develop inner clarity.
Having gained some control over the body, released tensions and developed an inner calmness, the sixth step teaches concentration, bringing our attention to the fluctuating mind with its constant chatter, dramas and daydreams. By focusing on just one thing, such as a candle flame or the rhythm of the breath, the mind is able to rest and become one-pointed. Next we can enter meditation, where the mind is stable with no fluctuation, all sense of a separate self dissolves, and the mind becomes quiet and still. As the attachment to the ego lessons, so our understanding of truth deepens.
Samadhi, or the highest happiness beyond conditional happiness, is the final step of Raja yoga. This is a state of consciousness where there is no separation between self and other than self, there is simply union. The ultimate purpose of yoga is in order for us to awaken to this state. Samadhi is the unconditional, omnipresent, omnipotent reality. It is our true, authentic nature.
In ancient times Hatha was a separate science, with strenuous and challenging asanas, postures, and austere purification of the body through cleansing techniques or hatha kriyas, and the purification of the mind. Within the last 30 years many different types of Hatha have appeared that mostly focus on asanas, with pranayama and relaxation, which are steps three, four and five of Raja yoga.
Tantra yoga is a systematic method of how to make every aspect of our life sacred, yet it is mistakenly thought of as being primarily about sex and relationships. Sexuality is only a small part of tantric teachings, as tantra also deals with very powerful and often negative emotions, such as fear and anger, that are used to awaken the practitioner's dormant potential. What is being taught nowadays is not traditional tantra. The main purpose, as with other forms of yoga, is to transcend the individual ego to attain Self Realization. Also, the tantric master chooses the student, to ensure that the student has a foundation in other yogas and is mentally prepared, whereas in the other paths of yoga the student chooses the teacher.
From this brief outline, we hope you can see the wealth and vastness of this ancient teaching. Asanas are certainly a fundamental part of yoga, but so also is meditation, philosophical teachings, and guidelines for living, for both men and women! May you enjoy this most wonderful gift of Yoga handed down to us from the Yogi's and Yogini's of ancient times!
So do make a comment and let us know what Yoga means to you.
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Hi, Deb and Ed,
Thank you for so succinctly describing the many faces of yoga. I, myself, studied another rather obscure form of yoga called Agni Yoga, or Inner Light-Fire Meditation Yoga. It takes its name from Agni, the Vedic God of Fire, who symbolizes the transforming power of the radiant light-fire within us, which is our true essence. This form of yoga is the basis for all of my work as a spiritual teacher and healer. In fact I teach a couple of the light fire meditations in my books, MONEY IS LOVE and EMBRACING YOUR POWER WOMAN.
But you know, I think the important thing about Hatha Yoga is that it has brought Yoga and meditation to the awareness of many many people in the western world who might not feel ready to embrace a spiritual discipline or meditation practice. In this stress filled society, an hour and a half of Yoga postures once or twice a week is helping an increasingly larger part of the population to experience a sense of peace and quietude. And this can be nothing but good. I have friends who are introducing Hatha Yoga into the high schools, which is such a wonderful way to help with the social and hormonal pressures of adolescence. Bravo for Yoga.
Love you both.
Thanks for writing about the true practice of Yoga.
It's sad to me that Yoga is becoming another fashionable exercise, when it has so much more to offer in terms of health. I often have students arrive for class ready for a "workout", and I always try to emphasize the wholistic nature of the workout Yoga offers them. There's physical, mental and spiritual health to be had in Yoga, and as long as one of those aspects is "empty" in a practice, its not really Yoga; It's just funky gymnastics.
Some students begin with the physical buzz, some are more inquiring, and some completely transform!
I believe Yoga expedites personal evolution, and sends us through several "millennia" quickly. It inclines us naturally to develop wisdom, tolerance and endurance. All are wonderful life skills! To me that's real fitness, more valuable than just being "buff."
At a time when traditional religion is becoming so bogged down in dogma that it's failing to foster forgiveness and compassion , Yoga offers a "way" of spirituality based on awareness and observation rather than unquestioning adherence to religious rules. Its great to see voice given to Yoga's "way". We need more of that in these times. Spirituality needs to exhibit substance, especially as the material foundations of our lives presently seem so flimsy.
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There are wise Yoga teachers like you and Seane Corn, Richard Freeman, Cyndi Lee, Nirmala Heriza, Rama Vernon and others whose teachings are brilliant. The Integral Yoga Institutes and Yogaville are places to go to learnthe true meaning of Yoga.
Even though people may come to yoga becuase it is fashionable they may come to realize it is far more than 'lookin pretty.'
Thanks for your comment,
In Yoga,
Ed
#5 almost everyone in america does yoga wrong. they are hurting themselves.
i love ed and deb shapiro's work. this yoga blog reminded me the recent debate over whether yoga should be an olympic sport! now that's a great idea -- more competition in the exact part of our lives where we're meant to be freeing ourselves of competition; more stress to do it better, when all we want is relief and SPACE to stop trying to be better. ed and deb are so wise and gentle in their teachings. i love them and look forward to their blog every week.
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swerinjer2 This is not true. I haven't met anyone who yoga hasn't been of benefit to. I have taught yoga in the US, Europe, India and Australia and have seen great sucess everywhere. Yoga is not just hatha yoga. Each person takes from Yoga what they need.
Whether a beginner or an advanced practitioner there is something in yoga for you. Yoga helps people feel good, become more positive in their lives, believe in themselves and move onward and upward.
"Angels fly because they take themselves lightly." Yoga helps us all to lighten up!
Be happy! Don't worry! This is Yoga
Ed
Thank you, Ed and Deb, for the much needed explanation of the various aspects of yoga.
As you mentioned many people do not know about the other aspects of yoga, or they may think of them as Hindu practices. As Swami Satchidananda taught ,all of these practices are compatible with any religions beliefs. Nor do they require any religious belief.
Swami Satchidananda explained yoga simply as a way to develop an "easeful body, peaceful mind, and useful life."
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whitelotusflower you are so right!
Yoga deals with stress. People in all religions have to deal with stress at some time or another. Yoga is beneficial whether you are Christian, Jewish, Budhhist, Hindu or atheist. Life isn't always easy, through learning about the benefits of stretching and breathing, relaxation, and meditation we can depend less on medication.
Life is sweet. Yoga can make it sweeter!
Enjoy the Gift of Yoga,
Ed
Yoga is an elegant system, a sacred set of methods, of tools, but only that.
As the great sage Longchenpa said:
"Since everything is but an apparition, having nothing to do with good or bad, acceptance or rejection, one may well burst out in laughter".
Finally the full story is "out there...Yoga is not just sitting and breathing in certain positions!!! It is OH OH so much more! Most people don't know the many different levels of Yoga. It was refreshing to read about them in such a succinct manner ...really made a lot of sense and easily understood ...I hope by a lot of people!!! Thanks again for a great blog!
Yoga is great. I think that when taught by the right instructor it can help change a person's body and outlook on life. Unfortunately, I have to conclude that there are a lot of stupid yoga teacher's out there...
When I hear some of the things that people say their yoga teacher told them I cringe. Heres a brief list of a few:
The ONLY exercise you need to do is yoga.
Running is bad for you.
Weight training is bad for you.
This asana done everyday is equal to runnning a marathon.
Eating meat and drinking alcohol UNDOES the effects of your yoga practice.
Eating mushrooms, garlic and onions are bad for you.
Note: these weren't things I heard in the 70's when I first did yoga. Except maybe the alcohol and meat. I can understand an argument for vegetarianism and even abstaining but-- UNDOES the effects of yoga. PLEASE. What's wrong with having critical thinking when it comes to yoga?
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Straytalk It is both humorous and disturbing what some people believe yoga is. What I notice is called 'Yoga Neurosis.' The shadow or unconscious fears arise in the teacher or student and they lay it on others and believe what they are teaching or offering is the way it is.
Some teachers develop a 'Yoga Ego' or spiritual ego. Me-centered-ness attitude.
Those that say don't know, those that know don't say--
The benefit of the narrow minded thinking is it gives others a chance to be compassionate towards them. It is easy to put people down but it is more beneficial to lift them up.
.
Life is a gift why not enjoy it, Ed
Thanks both of you for clearing up some common misconceptions about yoga. Westerners tend to forget--or are never taught--that the postures are but one part of a whole practice. Namaste!
Yoga has definitely changed my life. The first time I went to a class, I took to it right away. It has improved my self-esteem sooo much! I love how flexable I am now. I have an aniexty condition. Yoga has really made me less anixous.
Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape
Yoga is amazing. Whenever I have back pain I do a few yoga stretches and feel much better.
But be careful...it's very easy to get injured. Some of the poses look very easy but are actually very difficult with stress on muscles that aren't used to it. I've injured my arm doing yoga before.
The broad stroke on yoga is great - getting folks out of the narrow physical exercise focus and into the complete picture and experience. Thanks for keeping it entertaining and alive!
U B da homies.
Spanky
If there's a fountain of youth to be had, it's to be found in yoga. It's not that yoga will simply make you look and feel younger through the asanas and meditation, but when difficult times arise in our lives, our minds will be much more centered and focused making it easier to take on the stress and be clearer about our decsions. That is not to say that yoga practicioners do not suffer physically or feel emotional pain, but the discipline helps to keep us centered and focused when it seems that the world is falling apart around us. The more you practice the more you realize the importance of maintaining the practice through good and bad times. I've suggested the practice to people I thought could really use it, but they refuse to acknowledge any of the recommeded benefits. As they say ''you can bring a horse to water, but you can't make him drink''! Namaste!
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yerro2004-You are absolutely spot on about Yoga.
What I have learned is to live by example. From what you are saying you understand and reap the benefits and beauty of yoga.
"Bees come to honey. Honey doesn't go after bees." If people say to you --you look good. Your energy is peaceful etc. Then you can tell them about Yoga. or else-- yes the horse to water never seems to work.
Thank you for sharing, Yours in Yoga, Ed
Thanks. Great article on a very important practice that goes far beyond just stretching. If you understand the power of the word and PRACTICE that is Namaste you can begin to grasp the whole idea of what yoga can be. Recognizing the spirit and (life) in the other (another) as being the same as in you is such a possibility with yoga that all the other parts that might appear to be important seem to vanish. Worrying about how you might look or how far you can bend over becomes trivial when you get hit with the empathy factor that yoga brings to you.
One of the most important factors in yoga practice is Ahimsa and its listed as number one. It is the practice of compassion and doing no harm. Yet, one of the frustrating aspects is that almost all modern yoga teachers do not emphasize the not eating animals aspect of yoga. They seem to be afraid of it.
Ahimsa is not merely a matter of diet though for just the enlightened famous yogis it is a moral and political commitment to compassion and non violence on the individual level and yes it does extend from food, to clothing, other products, and other personal actions and choices. Yes it is a big factor. Becoming a vegan is the one thing that we can all do today—right now, to help animals, to help our planet and to help our yoga practice be that much bigger and BETTER!
NAMASTE!
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PhatP--thank you for emphasizing the importance of Ahimsa--non-injury. A truly noble act.
Swami Satchidananda said that if there was just ONE Yoga practice we can do that would lead to Self-Realisation, it would be to practice AHIMSA - to not create harm in thought, word or deed. a mighty
feat indeed, but a blessing.
Joyfully,
Ed
We are sustained, by the love of God.
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In Yoga that is known as bhakti. some of the great masters have said that in this generation bhakti is the fasted and most direct way to freedom.
Bhakti is my way.
Through love of the Divine you can't miss.
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