F.A.Q.

What is Yoga?

The word yoga, from the Sanskrit word yuj means to yoke or bind and is often interpreted as “union” or a method of discipline. A male who practices yoga is called a yogi, a female practitioner, a yogini.

The Indian sage Patanjali is believed to have collated the practice of yoga into the Yoga Sutra an estimated 2,000 years ago. The Sutra is a collection of 195 statements that serves as a philosophical guidebook for most of the yoga that is practiced today. It also outlines eight limbs of yoga: the yamas (restraints), niyamas (observances), asana (postures), pranayama (breathing), pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), dharana (concentration), dhyani (meditation), and samadhi (absorption). As we explore these eight limbs, we begin by refining our behavior in the outer world, and then we focus inwardly until we reach samadhi (liberation, enlightenment).

Today most people practicing yoga are engaged in the third limb, asana, which is a program of physical postures designed to purify the body and provide the physical strength and stamina required for long periods of meditation.

What does Hatha mean?

Hatha Yoga is the study of the physical postures (“asanas”) that are designed to align your skin, muscles, and bones and open the many channels of the body—especially the main channel, the spine—so that energy can flow freely.

Hatha is also translated as “ha” meaning “sun” and “tha” meaning “moon.” This refers to the balance of masculine aspects—active, hot, sun—and feminine aspects—receptive, cool, moon—within all of us. Hatha yoga is a path toward creating balance and uniting opposites. In our physical bodies, we develop a balance of strength and flexibility. We also learn to balance our effort and surrender in each pose. In this way, Hatha yoga can be a powerful tool for self-transformation. It asks us to bring our attention to our breath, which helps us to still the fluctuations of the mind and be more present in the unfolding of each moment.

In a group Hatha Yoga class at our studio, the sequencing and presentation of the postures is open to the creativity of the teacher. You should expect a balanced class with both heating and cooling postures. Some teachers may also incorporate breathing and meditation techniques. Every teacher’s style is their own, making each class a unique experience.

I’m not flexible—can I do yoga?

Yes! You are a perfect candidate for yoga. Many people think that they need to be flexible to begin yoga, but that’s a little bit like thinking that you need to be able to play tennis in order to take tennis lessons. Come as you are and you will find that yoga practice will help you become more flexible. This newfound agility will be balanced by strength, coordination, and enhanced cardiovascular health, as well as a sense of physical confidence and overall well-being.

How many times per week should I practice?

Yoga is amazing—even if you only practice for one hour a week, you will experience the benefits of the practice. If you can do more than that, you will certainly experience more benefits. Likewise, making the commitment to attend one class/week is an excellent first step. You will likely find that after a while, your desire to practice expands naturally. Ideally, we work towards building a personal practice in which we practice every day, any amount.

I’ve heard it’s better not to eat at least two hours before class, why is that?

In yoga practice, we twist from side to side, turn upside down, and bend forward and backward. If you have not fully digested your last meal, it will make itself known to you in ways that are not comfortable. If you are a person with a fast-acting digestive system and are afraid you might get hungry or feel weak during yoga class, experiment with a light snack such as yogurt, a few nuts, or juice about 30 minutes to an hour before class.

How is yoga different from stretching or other kinds of fitness?

Unlike stretching or various forms of fitness, yoga is more than just a physical practice because we connect the movement of the body to the rhythm of our breath. Connecting the body and breath helps us to direct our attention inward and quiet the mind. Through this process of inward attention, we become more aware of our own thoughts and experiences from moment to moment. The awareness that we cultivate is what makes yoga a practice, or a way of being. Your body will most likely become much more flexible by doing yoga, and so will your mind.

What are the Eight Limbs of Yoga?

The eight limbs of yoga, as described in The Yoga Sutra, are as follows: the yamas (restraints), niyamas (observances), asana (postures), pranayama (breathing), pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), dharana (concentration), dhyani (meditation), and samadhi (absorption). As we explore these eight limbs, we begin by refining our behavior in the outer world, and then we focus inwardly until we reach samadhi (liberation, enlightenment).

Is Yoga a Religion?

Yoga is not a religion. It is a philosophy that began in India an estimated 5,000 years ago. The father of classical ashtanga yoga (the eight-limbed path, not to be confused with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois’ Ashtanga yoga) is said to be Patanjali, who wrote the Yoga Sutra. These scriptures provide a framework for spiritual growth and mastery over the physical and mental body. Yoga sometimes interweaves other philosophies such as Hinduism or Buddhism, but it is not necessary to study those paths in order to practice or study yoga.

It is also not necessary to surrender your own religious beliefs to practice yoga.