Right now, just where you are, take a moment to settle into your seat and lengthen your spine. Breathe deeply into your ribs (back, sides, and chest) about five times, slowly. Notice how your whole being just slowed down, how your skin feels more relaxed now, and your heart softer. While you read the rest of this post, continue to check back in with your breath, periodically, and enjoy it.
The word yoga is related to the English word yoke. Yoga is the union of body, mind, and spirit--the union of your individuality with the divine intelligence that orchestrates the universe. Yoga is a state of being in which the elements and forces that comprise your biological organism are in harmonious interaction with the elements of the cosmos. Established in this state, you will experience enhanced emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being and will increasingly notice the spontaneous fulfillment of y our desires. In yoga--in union with spirit--your desires and the desires of nature are one. As you participate in the process of creativity along with the infinite being, your worries fall away and you feel a sense of lightheartedness and joy. There is a spontaneous blossoming of intuition, insight, imagination, creativity, meaning, and purpose. You make correct choices that benefit not only you but also everyone affected by your choices...
The proliferation of yoga classes and yoga centers throughout the Western world is a tribute to yoga's indisputable power to enliven physical well-being. In cities across North America, Europe, and Australia, yoga studios offer students a vast range of styles and techniques designed to enhance fitness. Yoga postures can increase your flexibility, strengthen your muscles, improve your posture, and enhance your circulation. Athletic programs from gymnastics to football now incorporate yoga for its systematic approach to stretching muscles, tendons, and joints. Fitness enthusiasts are often pleasantly surprised by how quickly the addition of yoga postures to a workout routine can improve tone and posture.
If the practice of yoga provided only these physical benefits, it would fully justify its place in our lives. However, at is core, yoga is much more than a system of physical fitness. It is a science of balanced living, a path for realizing full human potential. In these tumultuous times, yoga provides an anchor to a quieter domain of life, enabling people living in a modern technological world to stay connected to their natural humanity. Yoga offers the promise of remaining centered in the midst of turbulence.
The purpose of yoga is the integration of all the layers of life--environmental, physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual. The word yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj, which means "to unite." It is related to the English word yoke. A farmer yoking two oxen to pull his plow is performing the an action that hints at the essence of a spiritual experience. At its core, yoga means union, the union of body, mind, and soul; the union of the ego and the spirit; the union of the mundane and the divine...
Even if your primary motivation for taking a yoga class is to lose weight or to develop a more muscular body, you cannot escape the subtler benefits of enhanced vitality and a noticeable reduction in your stress level. Yoga is a practical system to awaken human potential. It does not require you to believe in a set of principles in order to reap its benefits. On the contrary, the regular practice of yoga naturally generates a healthy belief system based upon your direct experience of the world through a more flexible nervous system. Perform yoga poses on a regular basis and your mind and emotions will change.
- Deepak Chopra & David Simon, from "The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga"
Now let me know your thoughts. Read, digest, and then comment on what all of this means to you, or how you feel about it. What was your experience with the breathing exercise? If these ideas are new for you, can you dig it? Does it turn you off? Think about it, and blog!
When I read the part about trying the breathing excercise, I just assumed that it wouldn't make me feel any different. However, it really did make me feel extremely relaxed and I was able to mellow out. I "dug" the part of the blog that mentioned how when you're in an established state of yoga, you fulfill your desires more often. I thought that was awesome. I definitely want to reach that level because it would be great to fulfill my desires by simply being balanced. There is a lot more depth to yoga then I thought there would be.
ReplyDeleteI took this yoga class last semester. I felt and saw huge differences in my body, but mostly my mind and soul. Yoga really is a different way of thinking, meditating, and exercising, to awaken your inner self.
ReplyDeleteJust shortly I should engaged in the small breathing activity put my body and back at ease. Calming me and making me forget the stress from the past couple days.
I always have found though that it is easier for me to participate in yoga through a group class. That way my mentor, Ms. Graham, can instruct me of my body position and next pose.
I am anxious to read more deep information about yoga, so that I can better understand myself and my journey with yoga.
The yoga gyms have been common in Japan, too, but many people in the gyms did just exercise. I am looking forward knowing about yoga in this class.
ReplyDeleteNow, I take a class of World Religion and I am studyng about Hinduism now. Of course, yoga occurs in the term of Hinduism. Then I want to know about Hinduism and yoga deeply through exercising by myself.
With enjoying yoga and getting information, I hope I can reach to union all the layer of my life.
I have always found the idea of yoga to be very fascinating, especially when mentors would describe it as a union between ourselves and something greater than an individual. It is amazing how positioning your body certain ways and breathing can balance you and leave you at ease so quickly. In high school I took yoga classes frequently for a while and loved the results. It made my friends and I feel more at ease, healthier (body & mind), and we noticed that our flexibility increased as we continued to practice. I am interested in learning some of the concepts in class also so that I have a better understanding of the things we will be practicing and gain a better understanding of myself in the process! I am very excited to get back into practicing it and hope I can take away a lot from this course so I'll continue to practice in the future.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this article, my interest in Yoga has definitely increased. From what I had known about Yoga before, I thought it was basically rolling around on the floor for an hour holding a bunch of odd positions for a long period of time. However, I did notice that Yoga has been becoming very popular around me, and that is part of the reason I took the class.
ReplyDeleteAfter going to the first class, and then reading this article, I believe that I have a much tighter grasp on what yoga is really all about, and I look forward to participating in this class in order to get myself into better shape physically, and reduce my stress level as well while still getting a credit!
This is my first time actually practicing yoga. Before this class, I was skeptical to know what this class is about. Asking my self: Am I going to embarass myself? Could I handle it for the first time? So far it's been good. It's nice to know that yoga does well for the body, spirit and mind.
ReplyDeleteI have always been somewhat interested in yoga, even though at times I'm skeptical if it would show some results in my body. I like how this "exercise" uses the body as an instrument instead of using a lot of machines that don't get you the results.
This article has made me even more excited to begin this course. I have always been interested in yoga. I've taken a few classes here and there over the last few years, however, they have always felt rushed and crowded. This article and the first class on Monday has made me anxious to see what yoga is really about and how it can help me physically and mentally grow.
ReplyDeleteWhen I participated in some of the Yoga classes offered at Coastal last year I did not realize the dynamics that were incorporated in Yoga. After reading this blog, I tried the breathing exercise throughout the day, particularly when I was waiting for a class to start. It eased my stress and gave me an open mind when I walked in. Knowing now that regularly practicing Yoga can change one's mind and emotions gives me the chance to live my life completely different. I am looking forward to these eight weeks of Yoga and becoming a person that can control his entire being.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time taking any Yoga classes and I thought that I would not have the focus and attention span needed to really focus on breathing and body position. Today was not too bad, I found how unflexible I have become however but I was really into the exercises especially the breathing. At the end of the class during cool down I really felt peaceful and relaxed in mind and body. I am really looking forward to the progress I will make throughout this semester and the new awareness I will have.
ReplyDeleteI have never been to a yoga class before but I have always been interested in trying it. After trying the breathing exercise above I feel much more relaxed and will definitely keep it in mind when I go to class or any stressful situation in the future. I am excited to see what this class will do for me both physically and mentally. I know that I get very stressed with school and work at times so I'm definitely looking forward to see if yoga can help me to not be as stressed.
ReplyDeleteThis being my frist experince with Yoga and I have to say I am already feeling both the phyiscal and mental benefits. For today after our first class I have felt more relax and in touch more in touch with this universe (odd I know). While I have not fully grasped the concept of Yoga, this article has shed light on some questions about what Yoga is.
ReplyDeleteI have been to yoga class before and ive loved in since i first took it. The stress relief it brings is incredible, i feel so much more relaxed when i do yoga. I used to take the classes at night so that when i got home i could just go right to sleep and it really helped me to sleep better when i was relaxed and didnt have a million things on my mind. I am very interested into seeing how this class will further help me relieve stress while this busy school year unfolds.
ReplyDeleteWhen i did my first yoga exercises yesterday, some of the poses really hurt but once the muscles started to loosen, it was really very relaxing. I am excited to learn more about yoga and to try out some more of the poses.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time actually practicing yoga but it has always been something that I have wanted to try. I really have enjoyed the class so far, some of the poses were a little tough for me at first but I feel the more we do yoga the easier it will get. I also felt very relaxed after class on Wednesday which was a great feeling. I am looking forward in continuing this class
ReplyDeleteI've studied the practice of yoga a good bit in an academic sense, as well as having taken classes before. Yoga truly is a union of your entire being and everything around you. The benefits of yoga stretch far beyond flexibility - there has been tons of research done that links yoga to better health. Yoga has been shown to help cancer patients, weight problems, post-traumatic stress disorder, and maternity, (among a score of other things) as well as helping in classroom settings. Just doing that simple breathing exercise helped me concentrate more on the rest of the article, and teachers are now incorporating yoga in their classrooms to help their students learn better. Yoga truly brings all elements of life together to improve life as a whole. I enjoy yoga very much, and am looking forward to brushing up on my poses since I didn't have a chance to do yoga over the summer.
ReplyDeleteI think yoga is gonna to kick my tail. Especially because I have been a dancer my whole life and in dance flexibility is a plus....now that Im flexible in yoga it is a downfall. So Im thinking this is not going to be as easy as it looks. But I hope I get it because it does look very relaxing.
ReplyDeleteFor myself, yoga is a completely new experience. I knew nothing of what it was and took this class based on many recommendations. This semester my life is filled with stress between 2 jobs, full time school and other various activities. I hope to experience this class to my fullest extent by learning the many aspects yoga has to offer. Reading Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, I already have a clearer understanding that there is more to yoga then just a physical workout. I look forward to learning what is offered and to continue after the semester is complete.
ReplyDeleteAfter my first yoga class today, I would have to say I was pretty impressed with how my body felt afterwards. I love to be fit and active everyday and I was hoping to take yoga to calm and relax myself after crazy days to focus on my inner self as well as the universe.
ReplyDeleteI feel the whole concept of breathing is so huge in yoga because its the key to calming your mind and soul.
I really look forward to learning more about yoga and am excited for what the future has in store for me and the changes my mind and body will go through!
I thought the article was awesome elaborating on the benefits of yoga. From reading the article I was impressed with the way this class could help as a stress reliever. Its great to know that I can have a union with my mind, body, and spirit... through this coure I hope I explore my inner connections with myself and the world around me. From this past class on Monday, I felt a great relief, and I will be looking forward to the next class.
ReplyDeleteI thought this article was very interesting. I found it very informative about the basic ideas of yoga and the reasons why people practice it. I also thought it was interesting the way yoga can affect other aspects of your life outside just your physical well being. It has made me much more interested in this class.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this article because it really gave me a better understanding of what yoga is and why people practice it. I have taken yoga before but for me I have always just done it because it seemed interesting and it would help me stay in shape. After reading this article I understand now that if done properly yoga could help me in all aspects of my life. Ive always just done what I was told to do in yoga but never really understood why I was doing them but now I understand that yoga can be used as a stress reliever and considering the amount of stress I have on a daily basis, this article has already helped me to understand how to change one aspect of my life which is controlling and eliminating my stress.
ReplyDeleteWhen reading this passage i have many thoughts about the praticle uses of yoga as far as inhacing your physical body and expanding your mind. Both uses seem very important to me for no harm can come out of them. Im also intrested in the source of these passages coming from "Deepak Chopra & David Simon, from "The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga"" for i have read a few books by Deepak Chopra before and have found them very inspurational as well as enjoyable. I am very intrested in learning more about yoga in both pratice and philosophy.
ReplyDeleteI learned alot reading this passage. I never practiced yoga but so far its nice. I really took yoga to try somthing new and to be more flexible for sports, but after reading this I learned that it does alot more the body and mind. I belive that this will be a great experience for me and I think that i will continue to practice yoga even after this class.
ReplyDeleteI think this blog was very informative. Before reading this blog or taking this class I didnt really know that much about Yoga or why so many people practice it. I totally agree with this blog when it says if you practice Yoga often your mind and emotions will change because the first couple of times that I did it I felt so relaxed. I liked this blog a lot!!!
ReplyDeleteAfter reading about the 8 limbs of yoga, I am fascinated that each limb has something extraordinary about them, I feel deep down, each limb needs to be practiced in order to fulfill the purpose and meaning of yoga, I feel each limb of yoga helps you practice yoga and bring you closer with yourself and the world. I am excited to find what next class will bring!
ReplyDeleteI started taking yoga classes when i was a freshman in high school. i was involved with alot of activities so i didn't get to attend class as often as i wanted to. My favorite thing about the class was leaving. I would be so comfortable and so peacful i would drive 20minutes back to my house in complete silence and would be sublimely happy in that silence. That was when i knew that yoga was exactly what i needed in my crazy life to keep me centered and focused.
ReplyDeleteBeing able to connect and relate to my own feelings and actions may allow me to realize the reasoning behind some of the reasons I do things.
ReplyDeleteYoga has allowed me to calm myself and stay in a relaxed state longer during daily activities.
After reading this blog I became more clear of yoga and why it is practiced. Have already taken this class in Fall 1, I am able to see what distinct parts of yoga I need to work on more. I see a difference in my life day by day since I try to focus on my breathing and relaxation techniques. By taking this yoga class again I can put what I have learned in the past and present to better myself at this task. Yoga has definitely helped in relieving my daily stress.
ReplyDeleteThis blog helped me understand yoga a bit more. I love that they compared the word yoga to the word yoke, it gives the word more meaning. I'm totally excited for this class because I want to be able to be more flexible and have better posture. I've been trying to work on my posture because I'm a singer and singers have to have great posture and mine is terrible. So I hope this class will help me!
ReplyDeleteAlthough this is not my first time reading and commenting on this blog, the breathing excercise has yet again made me feel more relaxed and more centered. I like the idea that yoga is a tribute to "enliven physical well being," knowing that now, Im kind of contemplating whether or not I should have left class today because I was so deathly ill. Maybe yoga could have whipped me into better health.( Ah well gotta keep my fellow classmates in mind.) I also thought it was interesting how yoga is portrayed to be a union of the mind, body, and soul. If everyone could feel that centered and complete just by practicing the art of yoga, then there really isn't an excuse to not try it! I also enjoyed the smaller link about the aum symbol. Knowing from experience, "aum"ing is really relaxing and a nice way to just focus on yourself
ReplyDeletehonestly at first I was pretty thrown off by the whole idea of yoga. The first class we took was completely different than I had expected, however I stayed with it just to try something new. I definitely benefited from the breathing techniques however I think I would prefer a more aerobic workout. We had a substitute yoga teacher for a day and I actually think I prefer the type of Yoga she practices. I cannot remember what she called it however by the time class was over everyone had removed a layer of clothing and was sweating profusely. It was interesting to see how yoga can be practiced differently.
ReplyDeleteAfter having taken a yoga class, I can definitely see how it means the unity of mind, body, and spirit. I am so glad that I decided to take this class because I have really enjoyed the relaxation that comes through yoga. I think it is a great way to unwind and get your mind off of everything negative and just be thankful for all of the good things. I love that yoga is much more than just a workout. It is really interesting how yoga appears to be an activity, but it is much more than that. I think it makes you aware of yourself and who you really are.
ReplyDeleteI thought this article was very interesting. It gave insight on why many people start to take yoga. The idea that yoga can put your mind and body in harmony is very interesting. also the fact that yoga can be used to relax and center yourself is very important.
ReplyDelete