Yoga Basics: Beyond 101, what you need to know before you get started.

What is yoga? Yoga means a union, a yoke or binding. Hatha is the union of opposites.

Yoga refers to traditional physical and mental disciplines originating in India approximately 5000 years ago.

We will focus on Hatha Yoga which is a particular system of Yoga described by Yogi Swatmarama, compiler of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika in 15th century India. Hatha Yoga focuses on shatkarma, the purification of the physical body as leading to the purification of the mind (ha), and prana, or vital energy (tha). It marked the development of asanas (plural) into the full body 'postures' now in popular usage at most yoga studios.

Hatha Yoga in its many modern variations is the style that many people associate with the word "Yoga" today.

Think of Hatha Yoga as Raisin Cereal with flakes, think of the various styles as brands like Post, General Mills and Kellogg. Basically the same "ingredients" but different recipes.

Yoga in and of itself is not a religion. Patanjali (he coded all the yoga poses in the Yoga Sutras) describes yoga as a tool that is used to purify the mind and body to prepare it to serve God more fully. "Yoga chitta vrtti nirodhah" translated as: restraint of mental modifications or as suppression of the fluctuations of consciousness.

Fluctuations of mental chatter, materialism, compulsions, possessiveness, attachment, anger, and anxiety. Heck yea you can become more spiritual no matter what belief system you support! Imagine a mind free, pure and clean allowing the inner goodness to radiate and to live in loving kindness (metta).

This is the real meaning of Yoga-a deliverance from contact with pain and sorrow. (Light on Yoga, Iyengar)

Yoga strengthens your body and tones your muscles with your own weight as resistance. You can learn to listen to your body and to develop a feedback loop that allows you to tune in to subtle changes in your awareness of sensation. This can help you to avoid injuries as your attentiveness improves.

The brief history of yoga page, gives you a basic overview of the origin and background of this ancient art.

Yoga basics includes a review of the different types of yoga, so you can choose the style that is best for you.

Yoga basics: Class etiquette.

Before attending a yoga class there are a few important points to be aware of:

• Treat the yoga room as a special place that is QUIET, practice reverence and self control. Avoid chatting prior to class, and especially during class.
• Please make every effort to stay until the end of class. Skipping shavasana only leads to migraine headaches and a lack of calmness that resting after practice affords.
• Before leaving for class, pack a post practice snack, check out the healthy snack ideas .
• Do not eat for at least two hours prior to class.
• Empty the bladder and bowels prior to practice.
• Pre-hydrate and post-hydrate with an electrolyte drink or water.
• Brush your teeth and tongue, especially if you drink coffee or smoke; you will feel better if you taste good too.
• If you follow the instructions for breathing through your nose, you won't get thirsty.
• Remember that the proper yoga gear will help you set the stage for the best class experience.
• Shower before class and rinse off after, sweat is clean and practicing when you are clean is a treat for yourself and your fellow yogis.
• Do not apply scented anything, it aggravates everyone else around you.
• If you are sick, please stay home! Take time to recover and rejoin your fellow yogis as soon as you feel up to it.
• Please treat the yoga room as a sanctuary, leave cell phones somewhere else, use the locker area to stash shoes and coats and bring a towel to class to clean up after yourself. Nobody needs to trip over your cell phone, keys and extra clothing.
• Remember to listen to your body, it is your best teacher.

The basic information about yoga that was the most important to me was that the breath was just as important as all the physical postures. In fact, just breathing is yoga!

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