The Essence of Yoga

Yoga teachers who specialize in adapting the philosophy and practices of the yogic teachings apply a balanced method of education with its foundation in ancient wisdom and with its techniques and application adapted to embrace modern health practices.

Parents benefit in several ways by having children disciplined through Yoga classes that encourage learning and application of sound, balanced knowledge and health education that complements their schooling. Well disciplined children become more amenable and co-operative as they benefit from clear guidelines. Parents benefit also as children improve in behaviour, politeness and respect that allows more productive and satisfying relationships with all members of the family.  

The ideal situation is that parents are students of Yoga themselves and therefore support the teachings in the home.  Otherwise the simple principles discussed in classwork are like seed ideas which may sprout and grow in the child’s awareness in time, regardless of the degree of parental example or encouragement.

However, it is important that the Yoga teacher relates to parents. There must be a mutual line of communication so that the teacher can reinforce the ideas and support the methods used by the parents just as parents must agree with or be free to discuss the ideas introduced by the Yoga teacher.

With careful guidance, infants from as young as 3 years of age benefit from interesting and well balanced Yoga classwork. Teachings that introduce physical exercises result in growing self confidence as well as constructive ideas about the aim for total health of mind and body. These ideas will be nurtured should the child choose to cultivate them, to provide a simple spiritual direction to their lives based upon universal principles.

There are some simple practices that will be found common to all yogic teaching of Hatha Yoga.

Preparation before exercising includes having an empty stomach, and suitable clothing before the

BASIC LIMBERING EXERCISES

All physical practices in Yoga require some preliminary limbering movements to prepare for the Asanas and in order to prevent muscular strain and injury to tendons. There is no specific breath control required with these as total attention is upon awareness of the muscles.

Preparation for Lotus and x legged positions – involving limbering exercises to ankles, knees and groin

Lunge exercises to stretch achilles tendons, groin and thighs

Limbering forward to stretch hamstrings through exercises involving legs and feet

Gentle limbering of the spine to prepare for further spinal movement

ASANAS

The importance of these basic positions requires constant work until they can be achieved with comfort.

Good Standing Posture – Tadasana for every-day application

Seated Posture – upright cross legged Asana or upright in chair for breath control and meditation

Comfortable Prone Posture – lying in Savasana for Relaxation or Yoga Nidra (“the yogi’s sleep”)

Inverted Posture – Sarvangasana or modified to increase circulation of blood to the brain

Beginners are carefully tutored before assuming inverted positions because of possible medical conditions.  Children are to hold for short time only.

 In good physical fitness regular practise of this Asana is encouraged.

SPINAL ASANAS

These are included in all general practice and classwork exercises to help maintain youth

Forward bending –for example, Paschimottanasana

Side Bending Posture –for example, Nitambasana

Twisting Posture –for example, Matsyendrasana

Back bending – for example, Cobra, or Camel  – Bhujangasana or Ustrasana

PRANAYAMA  Special attention to respiration used in exercising and in Asanas is designed to replace energy expended and ensure total refreshment of mind and body.

Specific exercises in Pranayama are routinely included in preparation for relaxation and meditation to calm the nervous system.

It is anticipated that each teacher uses knowledge of traditional techniques that have been applied and tested through personal experience. The teacher is responsible for modifying techniques and guiding students appropriately, in relaxation and meditation as well as physical disciplines. It is important that the spiritual aim is seen as integral to all the yogic disciplines.

A comfortable seated position is required in order to practise breath controls of Pranayama, as well as the mental disciplines and pracitices of Raja Yoga such as concentration and in particular meditation, which demands longer duration of a pose to be held.

There are many variations of the basic classical Asanas used in order to arrive at the desired comfortable position . Adjustments are made for individual special needs but in ease case it is important to assume an upright postion of the spine.

   Although sitting on the heels is appropriate for children and many adults,

            it is a choice for a limiited time. It is known as Vajrasana

  Children enjoy taking the Padmasana or Lotus pose but not for sustained periods

             Perhaps long enough to say their prayers

    Adults usually have to work to regain childhood flexibility and find

    this a pleasantly comfortable one – Sukhasana

     This is the half lotus – towards Padmasana

     Known as Siddhasana – the Perfect Pose

The following Asana is an extreme one that offers a serious challenge if one wishes to master the classical poses and to test the full flexibility and capabilities of the body in Hatha Yoga practice and known as the Adept’s Pose.

It is not one to assume for comfort!  

Remember,  comfort is the most important factor if you wish to retain the position for a period of time and this can only be achieved after conditioning your body through the appropriate exercises. 

A special comforter is provided by simply sitting on the corner of a folded rug or low pillow so that you are raised a little and your weight tilted slightly forward. Try it!

If it is not possible or inadvisable for you to assume cross legged postions on the floor, the alternative is to take the so called ‘Egyptian’ pose sitting upright in a chair with feet on the floor and hands placed in the lap or on the thighs.

The value of Yoga is not so much in offering yet another ideology. We have enough confusion regarding ideas, philosophies and spiritual teachings. Confusion tends to reduce our capacity to keep clear the beautiful simple spiritual message that all great teachers have conveyed regarding the ideal way of life. Our life purpose must include our practical attempt to put this message into practice.

These efforts are known as our personal Sadhana or our spiritual self discipline.  Just as we rely upon a disciplined driver to be a safe driver on our roads, so a controlled and disciplined person is a safe person and not likely to harm others along life’s way.

 Most of us realise the transient nature of personal ambitions and desires by which our personalities are fulfilled, but we also are aware of the deeper needs of the human soul. We all yearn for a better state of the world in which we find ourselves and aspire in some way to improve our environment and help to build a better, peaceful world.

The yogic way of life, based upon following Natural Laws, is essentially simple, yet inspiring as we benefit from the hard earned wisdom gained from limitless centuries of human experience and which, if applied, will lead to an advancement of our present civilization. It is based upon the premise that to improve the world, each of us must first improve ourselves.

This is our first responsibility to our own soul so that we may be capable of contributing to the welfare of the whole world. The success of the greater purpose will be dependent upon each individual choosing a positive lifestyle.

A clear outline of a practical method of selecting a natural lifestyle and method of self improvement is given us in the tenets of yoga teaching.

The word yoga means to unite, to join together or to integrate. In regard to the practice known as Yoga, there are several spheres of reference – integration of the physical with the emotional nature –to co-ordinate emotional and mental aims – to integrate mind and body – and to join the individual soul to the Universal Life Source, or God.

The system known as Yoga is an integral part of the classical systems of Indian Philosophy, all of which stem from the ancient and profound Vedic teachings that are considered to have their origin in antiquity. The Vedas refer to all aspects of human life and the natural sciences, including those involved in the spiritual evolution and advancement of mankind.

It is believed that all our great western philosophers over the centuries have dipped into and adopted these Indian wisdom teachings with the result that many similar ideas permeate their doctrines.  Both the philosophic and the practical guidelines of old are a valued source of information that continues to inspire earnest scholars as well as all those who question life today. 

What follows will help you, whether you are a beginner seeking to improve your physical and mental health, or you are an exponent seeking for new insights to encourage your continuing practice of Yoga.

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The eight-fold system of Patanjali known as Asthanga defines the stages by which the aspirant may grow to spiritual enlightenment.  These principles provide the classical guidelines for all spiritual development.

Margas are simply the different paths or approaches towards study and practices of Yoga. 

Each offers a variety of techniques and disciplines. They are considered as spokes on the wheel of Yoga with the hub common to all. All the paths aim to lead the student to experience the reality of God.

There are three margas considered as fundamental in the traditional teachings. Students are advised to study and incorporate these teachings in early practice before thinking to specialize in any one path exclusively.

 In Indian tradition, the Trimarga is advised – the selected combination being Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Jnana Yoga to help integrate action, devotion and wisdom.

 The general approach of the western student is the integration of the three margas, Hatha Yoga, Gnana(Jnana) Yoga and Raja Yoga which represent the main aspects of human nature -  physical, psychological and spiritual.

Others consider the importance of the devotional aspect and choose to focus upon Hatha Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Raja Yoga paths which satisfy the three components of the personality – body, emotions and mind.

 It is not essential to follow one particular marga although any final determination is generally based on factors such as personal temperament and the particular marga of the Guru or teacher who has inspired you.

 Most will choose to adopt the philosophy of integration, which most clearly expresses the yogic philosophy, by taking an interest in the knowledge of all the margas and applying their principles, without any attempt to separate or specialize in one or another.