FAQ of Yoga

What is Yoga?
Yoga is a psycho-physical discipline with roots going back about 5,000 years designed by the ancient Indian seers in order to achieve spiritual enlightenment. These days the focus 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.
Though in the West today, “yoga” has come to refer, in the main, to the physical stretching poses or “asana” that is one part of the yoga.

Is yoga a religion?
No. Yoga developed in India alongside Hinduism and also has influenced and been influenced by Buddhism and Jainism. But yoga is not itself a religion.
The physical and psychological benefits of Yoga are real and don’t discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, color.
Yoga encourages each person to explore his or her consciousness.
Today many branches of yoga are practiced across the globe. Yoga teachers differ widely in the extent to which they incorporate such elements as chanting and meditation into their teaching, so spiritual practices do form some part of many yoga classes. To attain the supper consciousness is the goal of all yoga but spiritual principles may be either implicit or explicit in a given teacher’s approach to teaching. Regardless of whether you choose to incorporate the spiritual aspect, the benefits of Yoga are real. Yoga is truly universal. Most people find that they can practice Yoga without any conflict with their religious beliefs.

Has it been “proved” that Yoga is good for you?
Studies in the United States and India suggest that Yoga can help conditions such as stress, anxiety, and even epilepsy. Western science has been studying yoga for nearly 50 years and evidence suggests numerous physical and psychological benefits.

What are the benefits of yoga?
Improves muscle tone, flexibility, strength and stamina.
Lowers fat, Improves circulation, Stimulates the immune system
keeps one young. Younger biological age i.e. one is younger than one’s chronological age.
Lowers levels of cortisol, lactate, cholesterol etc…
Maintains blood pressure.
And that’s just the surface stuff. In fact, most of the benefits mentioned above are secondary to yoga’s original purpose.
Reduces stress and tension, anxiety, depression, irritability and moodiness.
Boosts self esteem,
Improves concentration and creativity
Heals old traumas
Increases brain wave coherence. Improves comprehensive ability and memory.
Enhances emotional stability.
Brings happiness and leads to vitality and rejuvenation.
Promotes an interdependence between mind, body, and spirit.
Helps you live the concept of “oneness.”
Sets one free from one’s illusions and preconceptions that prevents from fulfilling oneself.
Attains the union between a person’s own consciousness and the cosmic consciousness

When should a patient take Yoga Treatment?
When a Patient needs quick relief he takes Allopathic ,Ayurveda or Homeopathy treatment. But when such treatment does not bring in the required effect a patient takes “Yoga Treatment” because these treatments cure without medicine.

How many styles of yoga are there?
Hatha Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, Tantra Yoga are considered the main yogas, but there are many other types. The various yoga practices are a methodology for reaching the same destination.

What is the meaning of Asana?
Asana is a steady and comfortable posture of body.

How many asanas are there in Yoga?
It is very difficult to say How many asanas are there in Yoga?
Patanjali has defined asana as “Sthir Sukham Asanam” that is “Asana means steady and comfortable posture”. There can be thousands of probable states and so, it is difficult to fix total no of asana.

What is Pranayama?
Pranayama means controlling the Prana i.e. bio energy which is behind all activities of the body.

What is Om and why is it chanted?
The syllable Om is composed of the three sounds a-u-m which represent several important triads: the three worlds of earth, atmosphere, and heaven; the three major Hindu gods, Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva; and the three sacred Vedic scriptures, Rg, Yajur, and Sama. Thus Om mystically embodies the essence of the entire universe. It is uttered at the beginning and end of Hindu prayers, chants, and meditations. It often is used as a mantra during meditation. Although often pronounced as if it rhymed with “home,” it is also pronounced “ah-oo-mm.”

What is mantra?
Mantras are handed down since ancient times by religious seers who had attained self- realization by chanting them, mantras are words or syllables in Sanskrit which when repeated in meditation helps you transcend into a higher state of consciousness. As sound energies that have always existed the universe, they cannot be created or destroyed and command the power to heal you physically & spiritually. At the very basic level mantras help you to concentrate in meditation. And once you enter its auspicious circle, the mind instantly gets focused.

Which are the diseases that can be cured by Yoga?
Yoga can be useful in reducing the effects of the diseases like Hypertension, Spondilities, Asthma, Arthritis, Slipdisc, Digestive disorders, menstrual disorders, mental disorders and sleeplessness and many more like these.

How can Yoga be helpful to improve your personality?
The physical development as well as psychological improvement can be obtained by Yoga. The proportionate body structure can lead to increase your confidence. The stability of mind, increase in the concentration of the mind can be obtained with the help of Yoga.

Is there any age limit while performing Yoga?
There is no limitation of age. Yoga can be practiced at all ages above twelve 12 years .It can be practiced at the age of 80, years. But one should do only those asanas that are suitable to one’s physical conditions.

Which is the best time to perform Yoga?
Early in the morning. B
ut if not possible then, you can practice Yoga in the evening at least Four hours after your lunch. It’s best to do the asanas in the early morning or the early evening at least Four hours after or before meals.

Is it okay to practice Yoga while pregnancy ?
It’s okay to continue practicing yoga while you are pregnant as long as you were practicing before conception. Yoga is a great way to keep fit during pregnancy. In particular it can help strengthen the pelvic area, normalize thyroid functioning and blood pressure, and help keep you calm and relaxed — all of which is good for the baby, too. In general, however, you want to avoid strain, compressing the belly or abdomen and inverted postures, especially in the later stages.
Still if you are pregnant, please talk with your doctor before beginning any yoga program.It is also very important that you let your instructor know prior to the start of class.

Can I practice yoga with an injury or medical condition?
If you have any injuries, medical conditions or other health concerns, it is very recommended that you should consult yoga experts, they may safely guide you through the postures.

What’s the difference between a yogi, a guru and a swami?
A yogi is someone who practices Yoga. A yogin is a male Yoga student, a yogini a female student. A guru is a teacher. “Swami” is a title of respect for a spiritual master.

I just have started yoga practice, but I feel drowsy all through the day.
Yes in several cases it happens. One may feel uneasy for one to two weeks after starting the practice of asanas. It may happen because the yoga exercises cause the body to release deep rooted toxins, this toxins when comes to the surface, it spends some time in the blood before being eliminated. After this initial phase of body clean-up, you will start to feel much better. The more toxins you have, worse you will feel in the beginning.

What are Do’s and Don’ts while practicing Yoga?
Time for practice
Actually anytime is suitable if your stomach is empty. Considering our schedules, the time early in the morning is most suitable for study. The evening time about 4 hours after lunch is also suitable for practice, provided no additional food is taken in between.
Practice the sessions continuously
Do not split the time of study in the morning and evening.
Place
The place where you are going to study must be clean, airy, spacious, pollution free, warm and with not so bright lights.
Accessories Used
You can use carpet or mat for the study. The floor should be level. Requirement for yoga is a mat or a folded blanket.
Position
As explained in ancient texts, you should face either east or north during the study. Clothes
Comfortable loose clothing, particularily around the waist so that you can breath and stretch
freely. Tight clothes may restrict the circulation to some areas of the body. This would
defeat one of the purposes of the asanas, that of increasing the circulation to various parts
of the body.