What Should Everyone Know About Yoga?
If you have just started your journey in the realm of yoga, there are lots of things that you are not aware of, yet. Most onlookers associate yoga with asanas, and physical fitness. However, it is not what yoga is. Yoga In Rishikesh has especially gathered a lot of mileage recently. However, the story goes beyond the last decade. The place is called ‘The Yoga Capital of The World’ for a good reason. If you delve into the history of yoga, you may find out that, the first Guru of Yoga happens to be our very own Lord Shiva. It is he, who transmitted the knowledge to the Saptarishis. These rishis developed their own lineage over time, and taught yoga to other mortals.
Now, you must be wondering, how these rishis contacted the god. They are in fact, enlightened individuals who were born from Lord Brahma’s mind. They are tasked with the responsibility to guide the humans through four ‘yugas.’ Yoga basically means ‘union’ in Sanskrit. It is the union of the mind and the body, which is being talked about here. Yoga goes back to the pre-Vedic period. In the olden times, yoga was the way of life. People did not feel the urge to learn yoga separately, as most were following its principles. You can head to the best yoga school, to unearth the true meaning of yoga.
More Than Asanas Or Poses
Many people till date, do not know the true meaning of yoga. They feel that yoga is a physical exercise that builds muscles, and strengthens the body. It does these, but that is not all. Yoga is much more than just asanas and contortions. The most advertised pose that depicts yoga, is the Padmasana. You will be much amazed to know, that asanas are just one part of yoga. There are eight parts, to be exact. There are eight limbs of yoga, according to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. You will study about the same in the 200 hour yoga teacher training in rishikesh, in greater detail. However, as of now, you should read this.
⦁ Yama
It mainly points towards restraint. It is a development of moral character, to be exact. Your interactions assume a lot of importance in yoga. There are 5 Yamas, and they are non-violence, truth, non-stealing nature, celibacy, and non-greed. If you imbibe all the five qualities, then you will see huge changes around you, and within yourself as well. It will also help you to realize your roots. You will be able to learn the same qualities at a 100 hour yoga ttc.
⦁ Niyama
It points towards positive duties. These are the best habits, which you can inculcate as a part of your daily lifestyle. They include cleanliness, contentment, discipline, self-reflection, and surrender to the higher power. If you want to develop yourself on the yogic path, and reach the higher pedestal, then this is what you need to learn, practice, and inculcate.
⦁ Asana
Asana is the third limb, which you all see. It does not mean contortions, twists and folds. It neither means inverted poses and headstands. It mainly means, ‘to take seat’. It will help you further, in the journey of meditation. However, yogis who derived these values stress on something higher. ‘Asana’ may also mean being steady. You must be able to balance yourself. Moreover, not just physical attributes count, but mental ones as well. You can actually enter meditation through any pose. If your mind is still, you can also meditate while standing. The best yoga school in rishikesh will help you to learn and master the asanas. But above all, you will learn how to be still, amidst chaos.
⦁ Pranayama
Now, comes the turn. All your views about yoga as a modality will change after you read this. Even if you are not able to practice asanas, you can practice Pranayama. It is the same as yoga practice. However, none will be able to understand, what you are doing. You must have seen many yogis, sitting in meditative poses, for months. They are doing three things at that time – asana, meditation, and Pranayama. Pranayama means expansion of breath. You are actually practicing breath restraint in the process.
If you can control the speed of breathing, you will be more than happy and energetic. Moreover, you will gain all the benefits of yoga. Thirdly, you will gain life in terms of years. That is probably the reason, that rishis live for more than a century. Some animals like the tortoise also live for 200-300 years, as they have the slowest breathing rate amongst all mortals. The best yoga school in rishikesh, has the best teachers who will teach you all the intricacies about breathing. You will learn how to use different parts of the body, in the process of breathing. They include the thorax, abdomen, and the lungs. The main types of Pranayama, that students often learn as a part of the 200 hrs yttc. are Ujjayi, Bhastrika, Bhramari, and Kapalbhati.
⦁ Pratyahara
This is the fifth limb, that makes you control your desires for the possessions. It means a sense of withdrawal. You will be drawing inwards, in this phase. The outward happenings will stop affecting you as a whole. Most yogis at this stage, are able to switch off their senses. You will start focussing on yourself so deeply, that everything else outside will seem oblivious.
⦁ Dharana
The next stage is the stage, where you practice focusses concentration. You with draw yourself from the outward world, in the last stage and in this stage, you start visualization. Candle gazing is one of the practices, which you can do in this stage.
⦁ Dhyana
This is the seventh stage, in which you engage in meditative absorption. You start meditating at this stage. After you have successfully completed the last two steps, you are now more focussed on the self, rather than the outer world.
⦁ Samadhi
It is basically the ultimate stage, when you will feel eternal bliss. The best yoga school will guide you along the way. It is at this stage, when you experience pure bliss. So, finally, this is what yoga is all about. All your views about this holistic discipline have been changed right now.
It is quite evident, that your views about yoga have changed as a whole. Now, you may have also realized that, yoga is more about the mind and internal aura, rather than the physical body. However, if you are internally sound, you will see all the positivity outside as well. In the modern context, there are many things that you will come across, while undergoing classes. The 200 hour yoga ttc will ensure that you learn about yoga in complete detail including the practices, that are indispensable.
Knowledge For Absolute Beginners
If you happen to be new to yoga, which we assume you are, then this will help. Here are a few pointers, which will assist you to understand more about the practices, that you may engage in, as a part of the yoga course.
⦁ Mudras
If you have ever engaged in dance forms, like Bharatnatyam, you will know, that mudras are one of the common practices in the same. The same applies to yoga as well. You will start talking with your hands, as a part of the yoga classes at the best yoga center in rishikesh. Some of the most common mudras, that you will use are Anjali mudra, Gyana mudra, and Chin mudra. These are nothing but subtle gestures that you make with your hands. But these have a profound effect on the nerves, and can impact your organs in a powerful manner.
⦁ Yoga Poses
You will also understand as a part of the course, that you just don’t need to concentrate on forms. You can be perfectly imperfect in yoga. As you keep on doing the same postures again and again, you will become flexible to the core. The result is a supple body, which you can twist and contort in any manner. You will also learn how to set intention for your practices. The best yoga school in rishikesh will have the best guides to teach you alignments and modifications as well.
Some of the most beginner-friendly asanas, which you can do on a regular basis are Sukhasana, Swastikasana, Virasana, Vajrasana, and Paschimottasana. You can do this quite easily, if you get the right guidance. These asanas will help you to feel grounded. They can also increase the vitality of the body, if you practice them according to the guidelines.
⦁ Surya Namaskar
It is a complete series in itself. There are 12 poses in the Surya Namaskar. The practice will provide you with a full cardiovascular workout. You are actually expressing gratitude towards the Sun, through this practice. There are obese people, who can gain a lot from such practices. Moreover, your mind and body will thrive, if you practice it on a regular basis. The Solar Plexus is directly connected to the sun, so you are likely to gain from Sun salutations.
⦁ Mindful Practice
No matter, what asanas or kriyas you indulge in, as a part of yoga, you must do so with mindfulness. You do not need to exert excess pressure on yourself, to do the practices perfectly. The more you relax, the better will your postures get. In yoga, there is nothing like a perfect stance. All stances are perfect for the practitioners. You will be able to develop yourself, if you stick to your routine. Moreover, you must incorporate breathing as a part of the practices. Proper breathing will help you to balance both sides of the brain, which will yield proper body balance.
⦁ Inversions Are Not Difficult
You will also understand, that inverted poses are not that difficult. You simply need to work on your body, to be able to get into the stance. The main parts of the body, that you need to work on, are the wrists and the core. Once you do that, you will be able to do inverted poses, with elan. Headstands and shoulder-stands are quite effective for all the yogis, who want to work on their head and heart. Once you develop strength in the above body parts, doing inversions will be a breeze. The same holds true for yoga in Rishikesh.
⦁ Yoga Is Not A Religion
Although, there are various tenets, that are common in yoga and Hinduism, it is non-religious. Any religion and community can practice yoga. The mantras and the chants are of course used by all the Hindus, but that is a co-incidence. It is mainly connected to spirituality. Once you start with yoga in Rishikesh, you will understand this quality.
⦁ Yoga is Flexible
According to the best yoga center in rishikesh, yoga can be modified according to your needs. It is for all ages and for patients as well. You can do yoga, even if you have some body flexibility issues. Furthermore, yoga will offer various modifications. You can do modified asanas, as per your convenience. The best teachers at the best yoga school in Rishikesh will help you to do the poses properly, and also correct your alignments. Listening to the body will yield better results.
You can feel confident in the yoga class, even if you cannot do all the asanas properly. You do not need to be conscious. When you release your fears and surrender yourself to the Universal being, things will get easier.
Yoga is one of the best alternative healing modalities, for one and all. It fits in with the yogi, and not the other way around. So, you can rush to Hrishikesh Yoga School, for a course in yoga today.
