Frequently Asked Questions

by students at the yoga studio

Before we start our first lesson, I would like to give you a general overview of yoga.

Yoga is a science that allows everyone to discover their “inner self”.

Many people have a preconception and think that yoga is a religion or compare it to magic. Sometimes we even associate Yoga with spiritualism or hypnosis.

Yoga is a method of physical, intellectual, and spiritual development of the human being.

The questions/answers below will help you clarify some of the aspects of Yoga.

 

Q1: What does the word « Yoga » means?

The word “yoga” is derived from the Sanskrit root “yuj” which means to unite or reunite.

Therefore, Yoga is the art of bringing an incoherent and scattered mind to a state of reflection and coherence.

The goal of any school of Yoga is the union between the individual consciousness (which is in essence limited) and the universal consciousness (unlimited). It is the communion of the human soul with the “Divine”.

This universal consciousness can be translated by words such as: Truth, Purity, God or Divine, Light… or by any notion that describes the supreme notion of things. In India it is said that Yoga is the matrimonial union between spirit and matter.

 

Q2: Is there only one form of Yoga?

Yoga has several branches or rather several methods that have the same goal: union with supreme consciousness, or full consciousness (“mindfulness”).

In the Karma Yoga system this is achieved through action and effort.

In Djnani and Niani Yoga, the emphasis is rather on intellectual research and the learning of knowledge.

In Bhakti Yoga, one takes the voice of Love and Piety.

In Mantra Yoga, the focus is more on repeating the chanting of mantras.

In Radja Yoga (the “Supreme” form of Yoga), with work on consciousness. In general, Radja Yoga begins with Hatha Yoga which develops health, endurance, and flexibility in the body. It prepares the body and the mind to overcome the obstacles of the more advanced stages of Yoga.

In a simplified way we can say that Hatha Yoga is the traditional Yoga of physical well-being.

Hatha yoga consists of eight main steps:

• The first two stages are the Yama and the Niyama, they describe the ten moral principles of Yoga
• The third step is the practice of Asanas (postures)
• Fourth step: Pranayama or breath control
• Step Five: Prathyahara (Nerve Control)
• Sixth stage: Dharana (concentration or control of thoughts).
• Seventh step: Dhyana (meditation)
• Eighth stage: Samadhi or state of mindfulness (“Nirvana” or spiritual revelation).

The last four steps can be said to truly correspond to Raja Yoga.

At the studio we practice “Yoga Iyengar” which is an in-depth and scientific teaching method of classical Hatha Yoga named after B.K.S Iyengar. It follows the 8 steps of Ashtanga Yoga as described by Sage Patanjali in the Yoga sutras.

To learn more about the origin and forms of Yoga, you can consult my other article here

 

Q3: What does Hatha Yoga mean?

“Ha” means sun and “Tha” means moon. This Yoga works on the two essential energies of the body: solar and lunar (similar to the notions of Yin and Yang). These energies are best discovered by practicing breathing techniques (Pranayama).

 

 Q4: What is Pranayama?

Pranayama is the rhythmic control of the breath.

“Prana” means vital energy. Everything that is alive is filled with “Prana”, without Prana there is no life.

“Ayama” means “stretching, expanding and extending”.

Pranayama can be described as “the expansion and extension of life force energy”. Pranayama begins with the simple movement of breathing, drawing us deeper and deeper into ourselves as we learn to observe the very act of breathing.

Pranayama has three movements: a prolonged inspiration, a deep exhalation and a prolonged stable retention which must all be executed with precision. Breath control gives us emotional stability, helps us maintain calm and a clear mind in all situations of daily life.

 

Q5: What religion do yogis follow?

They can practice any religion, or follow none, in which case the person who practices establishes his own relationship with the “divine” to approach it as closely as possible.

 

Q6: Can those with catholic faith practice Yoga?

Of course, because Yoga is not a religion

 

Q7: If the goal of Yoga is spiritual awakening, why do we spend so much time with postures, physical and body training?

The yogi sees his body as the temple of the spirit, so he thinks that this body must achieve and maintain perfect health (physical and psychological). A healthy mind in a healthy body.

In addition, the advanced practice of Yoga requires endurance. Without this preparatory physical work, the body will not be able to support such effort.

 

Q8: What is the origin of Yoga?

Yoga was born in India. Max Muller a famous German teacher indicates that Yoga dates back 6000 years. Other sources suggest that the origin is even older.

For more information, you can consult the dedicated section of the site here

 

Q9: Who invented Yoga?

We do not know. The father of Yoga is a wise man named Patanjali (200 BC). He is the first who described Yoga in the form of the sutras: 196 metaphors which explain Yoga.

Before Patanjali and his writings, knowledge was transmitted exclusively orally through the relationship of the “master” (Guru) and his students.

 

Q10: Can a Westerner practice Yoga just to improve health and fitness?

Yoga postures, breathing exercises and relaxation are accessible to everyone, in fact to everyone who wants to improve their physical and emotional state.

Everyone is free to choose if they want to practice the more advanced stages of Yoga.

 

Q11: Is there an adequate age or an age limit to practice Yoga?

It is best to start Yoga after 6 years old and no later than 65 years old. However, many people started practicing later and managed to obtain very good results.

 

Q12: Can Yoga cure certain diseases?

It is nature that heals. But Yoga exercises can set the stage for this healing to happen.

 

Q13: What is the difference between the practice of Yoga and the Gym?

Yoga postures are an Art focused on the anatomy of the human body.

The Gym is a form of movement essentially geared towards muscle development.

The goal of Yoga is not just about muscle training because Yoga postures normalize the functions of the whole body. The practice regulates unconscious processes like breathing, blood circulation, digestion, elimination of toxins, metabolism etc.

Yoga also acts on hormonal balance, strengthens the nervous system, and improves memory.

This result is possible thanks to the union between deep breathing and physical effort. Thanks to this union, Yoga can act on the physical body, the emotional (and psychic) ​​and spiritual state.

Yoga emphasizes the philosophical importance in the study of assanas (postures). When we begin to practice Yoga, we can say that we wake up from a deep sleep. We discover in ourselves unsuspected resources and talents. We become balanced and resilient.

In Yoga, one learns relaxation as an art, breathing as a science, and control of the mind (and ideas) as a means of achieving harmony of body and mind.