What is Yoga?

Developed in India, Yoga is a psycho-physical discipline with roots going back more than 5,000 years. Today, most Yoga practices in the West focus on the physical postures called asanas, breathing exercises called pranayama, and some form of relaxation. There's more to Yoga than that, and the deeper you go, the richer and more diverse the tradition becomes. The word "Yoga" means union. Linguistically, it is related to the Old English "yoke." These days the focus of the practice is often on the more down-to-earth benefits of Yoga, including improved physical fitness, mental clarity, greater self-understanding, stress control and general well-being. Some students say it enhances their spirituality. The beauty of Yoga is in its versatility, allowing students to focus on the physical, psychological or spiritual, or a combination of all three. It is solely your choice as you develop your own practice.

How many types of Yoga are there?

There are four paths of Yoga
1. Jnana, the path of knowledge or wisdom
2. Bhakti, the path of devotion
3. Karma, the path of action
4. Raja, the path of self control

Hatha Yoga, which includes postures and breathing, and is the form most popular in the West and like this class, is actually part of Raja Yoga, the path of self control. The path most followed in India is thought to be Bhakti Yoga, the path of devotion. Within Hatha Yoga there are many styles, such as Iyengar, Astanga, Integral, and Kripalu, to name a few.

Has it been "proved" that Yoga is good for you?

Yes. Western science has been studying Yoga for nearly 50 years, and the evidence shows numerous physical and psychological benefits from Yoga. Interestingly, there seems to be something about Yoga -- vs. exercise and controlled breathing -- that is beneficial.

What's the difference between Yoga and just plain stretching and normal exercise?

Traditional exercise is goal oriented: How many push ups can I do? Can I touch my toes? I'm going to do 10 more crunches today than I did yesterday. Yoga, by contrast, is a process with no goal. The idea is to focus your awareness on what you are doing now and how you feel as you perform the postures. In exercise, you fail if you miss your goal. In Yoga, you succeed simply by learning to "be present" in the moment.

How many times a week should I do Yoga and for how long?

Most schools teach a practice session that lasts 60-90 minutes. If you can do that everyday -- great. If not, try and do that much a few days a week, including a class or two, and fill in with shorter sessions on days when you don't have as much time. Any Yoga is better than no Yoga, and even 15 to 20 minutes a day is better than 90 minutes once a week.