What is yoga?

"Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind"
-Patanjali's Yoga Sutras

Yoga is one of the oldest holistic health-care systems in existence, focusing on both the mind and body. The roots of yoga date back almost 5,000 years. The Sanskrit word yoga literally means “union”; in the practice of yoga a connection is established between the mind, body and spirit. A yoga practice consists of physical postures called asanas, breathing exercises called pranayama, and elements of meditation.

As with all ancient traditions, at first yoga was communicated orally. Then about 2,000 years ago the Indian sage Patanjali compiled the Yoga Sutra, a written collection of 195 practical instructions that form the basis of yoga philosophy as practiced today. The Yoga Sutra also outlines the 8 limb path of yoga:

1. yamas (restraints)
2. niyamas (observances)
3. asana (physical postures)
4. pranayama (breath work)
5. pratyahara (sense withdrawal, turning inward)
6. dharana (concentration)
7. dhyana (meditation)
8. samadhi (liberation, enlightenment)

In exploring these 8 limbs, we start by refining our behavior in the outer world and subsequently turn our focus inwards until we reach samadhi. Today, most people practicing yoga in the West are engaged in the third limb, asana, the physical postures designed to balance the body and provide the strength and stamina required for meditation.

Is yoga a religion?

Yoga is not a religion - it is a philosophy. Yoga's rich and ancient history has caused it to become interwoven with religions, particularly Hinduism and Buddhism - so many elements from these will appear in yoga. Since the ultimate goal of yoga is samadhi, or enlightenment, much of the terminology and concepts used to describe this can feel religious in nature: "self-realization", "mystical union", "awakening to a higher being", "union with the divine", etc. This is something our highly secular and scientific society is not very comfortable with. We might then ask ourselves why so many people in our society are attracted to yoga right now - it is a side of our humanity that we have sadly lost touch with (the price of "progress"...?) SO, while yoga contains ideas, prescriptions, and practices that can certainly be found in religious traditions, it is important to keep in mind that yoga entails a practical, experimental approach that is not based on a system of faith or belief.

Do I have to be a vegetarian to practice yoga?

One of the yamas of Patanjali's 8 limbs is ahimsa, or non-violence. Some people interpret this to include not eating animal products. There is an ongoing debate about this in the yoga community, but ultimately it is a personal decision that everyone must make for themselves. If you are considering becoming a vegetarian or a vegan, be sure to consider your own personal health issues, and how this decision will affect your family and/or the people with whom you live. Being a vegetarian should not be something that you impose on others - that kind of aggressive action is not an expression of ahimsa.

What are the benefits of practicing yoga?

The health benefits of yoga are just starting to be explored by the mainstream medical community. Initial trials have shown that yoga can help people with asthma, cardiac risk factors, arthritis and more. A regular yoga practice can create flexibility, build strength, and develop stamina. In addition to affecting the musculoskeletal system, the postures can benefit internal organs. Most postures increase circulation, which can positively affect the respiratory and nervous systems. Bringing the systems and organs of the body into balance naturally has a positive effect on your mental well-being. And specific breathing exercises can either stimulate or pacify your mind.

The role of the breath in yoga is also a key reason why yogis feel so good after practicing; many of yoga's benefits, including reduced stress and a clearer head, come from the focus on the breath. And the best part of pranayama is that it offers instant gratification. You'll notice its calming effects after your first yoga class.

What’s the difference between yoga and just plain stretching and exercise?

Traditional exercise is goal oriented: How many push-ups can I do? I’m going to do ten more reps than I did the last time. Yoga, by contrast, is a process. The idea is to focus your awareness on what you are doing and how you feel as you practice. A typical attitude towards working out is that you fail if you miss your goal. In yoga, you succeed by trying. There’s also a difference on the physical level. Weight training, for example, makes you stronger by breaking down and rebuilding muscle tissue, while yoga increases strength by toning the muscles.

If you've read this far, by now you are starting to see that yoga goes way beyond mere physical exercise - yoga is unique because we connect the physical movements of the body and the thoughts and fluctuations of the mind to the rhythm of the breath. Connecting mind, body and breath helps us to direct our attention inward; in doing so, we become more aware of our experiences from moment to moment instead of focusing on the past or the future as we so often tend to do. This awareness and ability to be present in the present is what makes yoga a practice rather than a task or a goal to be completed.

What if I’m not flexible?

Actually, that's exactly why you're the perfect candidate for yoga. This is the most common misconception that prevents people from coming to a yoga class; yoga is not just about how flexible you are, but also about strengthening your body and spine. No matter what your physical condition, age or abilities, yoga can be practiced by everyone.

What if I’ve never done yoga before?

There are many different options for beginning a yoga practice at Georgetown Yoga. We strongly recommend that newcomers to yoga start with Yoga Basics: we offer Sunday afternoon workshops,
8 week enrolled sessions, and ongoing weekly drop-in classes (see schedule for details). In Yoga Basics you will establish a foundation to build upon as you develop your practice. Restorative yoga is also a good place to start given its slower pace and  therapeutic benefits. And for those of moderate to high fitness levels, we suggest Beginning Ashtanga or Ashtanga Blend.

What should I wear/bring to class?

Dress in comfortable workout wear; many fitness gear companies now offer yoga lines. Do not wear anything too tight, too baggy, or too heavy (ie sweats). We practice yoga in bare feet, so you will remove your shoes upon entering the studio. While we have all the yoga equipment that you will need at the studio, we strongly encourage you to buy your own personal yoga mat as your practice develops (we have mats for sale at the studio).

Why are you not supposed to eat 2-3 hours before yoga?

In yoga practice we twist from side to side, turn upside down, and bend forward and backward. If you are in the process of digesting your last meal, it will make itself known to you in ways that are not too comfortable! If you are someone with a fast metabolism and are worried that you might get hungry or feel weak in class, try having a light snack such as yogurt, some nuts, or juice about 30 minutes before yoga.