Confused about what Type of Yoga To Do?
(by Sophie Alexander)
My husband always says I would be very rich if all the people who profess a burning desire to do yoga actually materialised in classes. He also says it is far more socially acceptable to discuss Yoga than religion. "What type of yoga do you Is a FAQ. If you want designer labels you can answer that easily. And like designers, yoga labels vie to be in fashion. You have probably heard the term "hatha" yoga bandied about; hatha is the most commonly practiced form of yoga in the West. Its meaning, origin and purpose are widely misunderstood. The term is frequently used to denote a separate type of yoga to Iyengar, Ashtanga, Kundalini, Viniyoga etc. In fact they are all very much hatha yoga. I was sent a list of yoga classes I might like to choose from the other day (rather worryingly by an organisation you intends to specialise in supplying yoga instructors) listing the options as follows:-
Ashtanga
Iyengar
Sivananda
Hatha
Well what are the first three if not Hatha? Since its origins in the Indus Valley yoga has been practiced for thousands of years. The terms "Iyengar, Ashtanga, Sivananda" etc have been coined within the last 60 years - they are the designer labels. I wonder if any of these terms will survive several millennia? Hatha yoga is commonly understood to be a type of yoga that just concentrates exclusively on the postures - asanas - thus appearing a kind of physical culture. This is also a major misrepresentation and it is clear in the original texts that it was never intended to be such a limited science. The asanas are important to bring health and vitality to the body but they are not intended as an end in themselves. The ultimate concern of yoga is mastery of the mind (raja yoga). There are actually 6 disciplines - often referred to as the 'limbs' in hatha yoga. There are 8 in raja yoga and asanas are just one amongst these. Hatha is translated variously as 'force', 'effort', 'balance of sun and moon energies', in other words a process of integration and harmonisation leading to self-realisation. The other 8 observances incorporate codes of conduct, breath control and stages of concentration and meditation. It leads me to the conclusion that there are not really different types of yoga but there are different methods. Find a teacher who is most appropriate for you. Pranayama - the art and science of breath control - is the essence of yoga. Yoga postures without instruction and emphasis on how you breathe is only an exercise class by some other name. If you want to do yoga seek out the real thing.
Look to this day,
For it is Life,
The very life of life.
In its brief course lie all
The realities and verities of existence,
The bliss of growth,
The splendour of action,
The glory of power-
For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision,
But today, well lived,
Makes every yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore, to this day.
(Sanskrit poem - attributed to Kalidasa)
Yoga - an experience unique to you.
(by Lynda Hills)
Use yours senses to tune into your body. Feel the floor - align with gravity; internalise your gaze, smell the aromas around your - invite the sweet breath in; hear the sound of your breath - tune into the sound of the wave-like breath. Relax your muscles - relax effort. Follow the exhalation and find stability in the surrender of stress. Accept the guidance of the deep exhalation and observe and enjoy the elongation of the spine that results. Acknowledge inner strength within the poses, as you gravitate let go of tension that frees restriction and liberates movement - move the body and you move the mind with the breath, linking both - bringing about balance, harmony and integration from fragmentation. The body is attuned with the universe - for all is one. Enjoy this oneness - this connection of self - beyond movement lies stillness where illusion and fear have no place to hide and where acceptance and love are nurtured….
