What is yoga?

Yoga, in Sanskrit, means union. It is a state of being completely in the present, focusing on the here and now. It’s a path to self discovery, fine-tuned awareness, and unification of the mind, body and soul. Yes, it is a series of postures that makes you sweat and burn calories, but more than that, it is a way to step outside of the pressures of day-to-day life, to escape the restrictions of the mind and the limitations we put on ourselves. Many people think yoga is part of a religion- particularly Hinduism. It is not a part of any religion. Yogic philosophy was recorded as early as 200BC-400AD, as recorded in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. The philosophy contains eight limbs: Yamas – guidelines for how we deal with others; non-violence, honesty, non-stealing, awareness and spiritual enhancement through study, and non-reliance on material goodsNiyamas – guidelines for how we treat ourselves; purity, contentment, self-discipline, self study, and surrender to creative powerPranayama – the breathAsanas – the physical postures practiced in a yoga class or self practicePratyahara – withdrawal of the sensesDharana – concentrationDhyana – sustained meditationSamadhi – the ultimate goal of yoga; oneness with the object of meditation, liberation, union with the universeWithin a yoga class, a student can practice any number of these aspects of yoga. Yoga is a holistic system in which the challenges and individual exploration that takes place on the mat can be applied to the rest of your life.Yoga has an immense number of physical benefits, including increased flexibility and strength, improved balance, normalized gastrointestinal function, improved sleep quality, lowering of blood pressure, improved balance, increased range of motion, and a decrease in pain. But, it can also provide a number of mental benefits, as well: lower stress level, decreased anxiety and depression, improved memory and attention, and increased positivity and self acceptance, among others. Yoga is not competitive or goal-oriented. Even when you’re in a class full of people, it remains a personal practice. It is a time for you to go inward, staying with your breath, and move through the flow of postures, going only as far as feels good for you.