What is Yoga?

I’ll try to explain to you what yoga is in essence, but if you’re a complete newcomer to the concept, it’s unlikely you’ll fully understand until you’ve actually been practising yoga regularly for at least three years. Of course, I’m still learning myself – as are each and every yogi/yogini*. This is one of the beauties of yoga: You never stop learning. Nevertheless, I will try to be as brief as I possibly can in my explanation!

The word “yoga” means “union”. It promotes the connection between the body and mind; movement and stasis; grounding and extension; oneself and the rest of the Universe.

There are five different paths/types of yoga:

• Raja yoga – Meditation; studying the nature of the mind and finding ways to control it

• Jnana yoga – A philosophical and intellectual approach; studying works known as the “Upanishads”

• Bhakti yoga – Channelling oneself into devotion by dancing and singing, and reading the Puranas and the Epics

• Karma yoga – Acting on the belief that we are all tied to the wheel of “Samsara”, whereby our circumstances are the result of previous actions and choices; Behaving selflessly and without expecting any reward

• Hatha yoga – This is the type of yoga best known in the West, and the type that I practise and teach. It combines physical poses/postures ("asanas") and breathing techniques (part of "pranayama") (– as well as the "bandhas" and "mudras", neither of which I’ll attempt to explain here!) Through practising hatha yoga, one’s vital energy (prana) is directed through the body via the "chakras" (intersections in the channels through which the prana flows). (The Chinese equivalents of prana and the chakras is "chi" and the "meridians".) The concept of prana/chi is somewhat elusive for many people in the West. Therefore it may be easier for you to start by visualising the blood circulating through the veins; and the air being inhaled through the nose, the lungs and deep into the abdomen, and then exhaling out again; positive movement taking place within the body. I remember when I first started attending yoga lessons while I was at University in 2000, and commenting to my friends how by the end of each yoga session I felt as though I had energy flowing freely through my body. Little did I know at the time that this was prana!

* A “yogini” is a female yogi!

What is “hatha yoga”?

When you attend a yoga lesson at a gym or health centre, it will be a derivation of hatha yoga, and the focus of the class is likely to be on the physical poses and the breath.

If you’re not very flexible, please don’t be put off attending a yoga class! In some ways by having stiff muscles you’re actually at an advantage, because it means you’ll feel the benefits more readily than somebody who is flexible. Some people with flexible muscles and joints find they can “strike a pose” so easily that they become lazy and forget to focus their mind, engage their muscles and breathe correctly.

Your vital energy, or prana, can only flow freely if your body is in correct alignment; if you’re not clenching your muscles but instead gently engaging them; if you’re focusing on your breathing; and if you’re thinking in terms of extension rather than stretching and straining. If you’re ever in any pain, or suffer injury as a result of having attended a yoga class, it means you’ve gone too far! By the end of the class you should feel wonderfully energised and relaxed.

Over the years hatha yoga has been developed into several alternative forms, mainly for the consumption of the West. Since everybody is different, this is entirely appropriate. However, it also means that the essence of yoga has sometimes got lost along the way.

You are likely to come across a variety of different classes being advertised in gyms and health clubs – all purporting to be yoga, but in truth not always yoga. This doesn’t necessarily matter, because you may still benefit from attending. However, if you are new to yoga I recommend you start with a gentle and non-complicated class; and that you try out a variety of different teachers until you’ve found one which you’re personally compatible with.

Iyengar yoga is excellent for learning about correct alignment and posture, and it involves maintaining poses for long lengths of time, rather than moving with the breath. I admire Iyengar yoga, but for me personally I prefer for there to be some sort of movement in order for the prana to flow. For other people, however, Iyengar is ideal.

Vinyasa flow classes encourage flowing movement, and I’d recommend these to intermediate pupils rather than beginners, because it is necessary to have some pre-existing knowledge of the poses, and accurate alignment. One type of Vinyasa flow yoga is Ashtanga, which involves fast-paced movement. Every single class follows the same sequence of poses, which over time can become repetitive. I prefer to attend Vinyasa flow classes where there is an element of creativity, and for there to be variation from session to session.

I usually tell beginners to yoga that Bikram is simply “not yoga” because instead of promoting acceptance and gratitude, it encourages you to compete with yourself and everyone else around you. Yoga should never be judgmental or egocentric. Bikram can be gruelling and punishing – rather like an aerobic workout. I tried Bikram back in 2001 when I was in Australia, and I found that it was a good “workout” but by the end of it I felt spent and worn out, instead of amazingly invigorated and uplifted. It may be possible for an experienced yogi/yogini to attend a Bikram class and benefit from it, but I would urge any beginners to avoid it. My reason for this is not just because Bikram lacks the integrity of true yoga – it is because many people suffer injuries from attending Bikram sessions. The fact the room is heated (to 105°F) means that the muscles stretch more easily, and are therefore prone to becoming over-stretched. Also, in such a heated environment where everyone is literally dripping with sweat, germs can proliferate!

Similarly, power yoga may be described as a “workout” based upon yoga poses.

There is a whole host of other terms which you may come across. For example, mindful yoga will encourage you to observe how you feel physically and emotionally, and can therefore have a very therapeutic effect. Restorative yoga typically uses props to facilitate your chest to open, your spine to extend, your hip flexors to relax, etc. – helping you feel beautifully calm and rejuvenated. Yoga described as "dynamic" is likely to be for intermediate pupils, with an element of flowing movement and requiring a significant amount of physical strength. Kundalini yoga focuses on awakening the latent energy from within, and moving the prana through the body using the breath, chanting and meditation, rather than through physical poses.

If you attend my classes, I will focus primarily on the breath, the physical poses and gentle movement.

If you come across any other types of yoga which you’re curious about and which I haven’t mentioned here, then please feel free to ask! I may be contacted by E-mail: YoginiMelisa@gmail.com.