Yoga- FAQs

Namaste!.. This page “Yoga FAQs” is going to answer your most of doubts about Yoga and what we do here.

Yoga is an ancient holistic system developed in ancient India by the great yogis. It aims to bring synchronization between body, soul and mind to improve all aspects of our being – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Yoga teaches the way to live whether its physically or through thought. The body is viewed as a living temple, with the life-force or divine intelligence that animates all living things and yoga teaches to use breath to help regulate the subtle energy in the body and mind. It guides us on how to continuously be a little better than we were before. I’m a registered Yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance 200 RYT.

Q:What is Yoga?
The word yoga came from the Sanskrit word yuj, which means ‘to unit or bind,, referring to union of the body mind & soul together for overall wellbeing & growth. A male practitioner of Yoga is called a Yogi, and a female practitioner is called Yogini.
Lord Shiva, Adipurush, is considered to be the innovator of Yoga while Indian sage Patanjali is believed to have collated the practice of yoga into the Yoga Sutra an estimated 2,000 years ago. The Sutra is a collection of 195 statements that serves as a philosophical guidebook for most of the yoga that is practiced today. It outlines eight limbs of yoga: the Yama (restraints), Niyama (observances), Aasana (postures), Pranayama (breathing), Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyan (meditation), and Samadhi (absorption). As we explore these eight limbs, we begin focusing and cleaning inside us and our behavior in the outer world, until we reach samadhi (liberation, enlightenment).

Q:What are the benefits of doing yoga?
Since yoga aims to uniquely combine body, mind and soul together hence its benefit also is unique and on all three aspects of body, mind and spirit. The practice of Yoga includes a very holistic approach to health brings harmony to life with its reaching of philosophy and Physical exercises. However some physical benefits are given below for the beginners to understand, but again its foolish to think yoga is only this but it also provides below.
 Bring harmony among various parts of body muscles
 Builds muscle strength
 Reduces stress and anxiety
 Improves happiness
 Increases flexibility
 Builds core muscles
 Improves mental health
 Increases self-esteem
 Contributes to weight loss
 Fights depression
 Protects joint and cartilage deterioration
 Improves posture
 Contributes to restful sleep
 Lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow
 Reduces inflammation
 Contributes to heart health
 Helps improving Immunity
 Improves bone health and fights osteoporosis

Q: Is Yoga associated with a Religion?
Yoga is neither associated with nor it conflicts with a religion. It is a philosophy that provide a framework for spiritual growth and mastery over the physical and mental body to live a better life. Yoga sometimes interweaves other philosophies such as Hinduism or Buddhism, but it is not necessary to study those paths in order to practice or study yoga. You can continue with own religious belief, while practice yoga to discipline your mind and body to attain good mental and physical health.

Q:Is Yoga enough to keep you fit?
If you are referring yoga exercise to be enough to stay fit, then definitely it alone may not enough. Fitness depends a lot on the diet, state of mind or emotions and other external factor apart from the state of the body. Thus a well balanced diet, healthy lifestyle, an appropriate yoga routine (asana, pranayama, meditation) can help keep you fit.

Q:Can the practice of yoga help in alleviating incurable diseases?
Yoga is not a substitute for medicine. However it does help the body mind complex to cope with stress and it can increase the immune power of the body. Many patients with incurable diseases have experienced a remarkable transformation in health.

Q:Is the practice of yoga asanas enough? Or I need to study other books on yoga – like Patanjali’s yoga sutras – to get a complete experience?
The field of yoga is like an ocean. Some people come and sit on the shore, enjoying the cool breeze. Some wet their feet. Some swim and surf. Yet others dive deep and get the pearls. It is up to you to decide how much and what you want to do. With the help of an experienced teacher, you can explore the full potential of your life through yoga.

Q: How many times a week should I do yoga and for how long?
A Yoga can be started with 15-20 mins duration while a typical good yoga session would last 45-90 minutes. It should be min 3 to 6 day for a good effect. Still any yoga is better than no yoga, and 20 to 30 minutes every day is better than 60 mins once a week.

Q: Do you need to go to the gym if you’re doing a yoga workout?
Participating in a yoga session after going to a gym can help release the stresses that build up after the exercises. The muscles get toned and do not get excessively fatigued. It complements the gym schedules and keeps the body from burning out.

Q:What asanas are included in a complete yoga workout?
A complete yoga sequence should comprise asanas that help to balance out the imbalances in the system. A healthy mix of standing, sitting and lying down postures is provided in the Yoga sequences. Asanas are mixed along with Pranayama and many others activities.

Q:What is the difference between yoga and exercise?
In yoga, one practices the asanas in a rhythmic manner that involves the body, mind and spirit. Yoga is like an appointment with the Self, which rejuvenates one’s entire system. It leaves you feeling relaxed and energized. In exercise, the focus is more of physical well being. After an ordinary exercise session, one feels exhausted. And is not so after a yoga session.

Q:What is the minimum age to start yoga?
An infant is a born yogi. The whole process is of relearning. However some f exercises are age dependent, some typical practices should be avoided by Kids while some by elders..

Q:What diet complements a daily yoga regime?
The yogic diet is vegetarian and wholesome. The food we eat affects not just our body, but our mind also. Intake of the right amount of food is important – not too little, or too much. Fresh, light, and balanced food are high in prana or energy. The yogic diet consists of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, lentils, and a small quantity of milk and milk products.

Q:Is yoga a Hindu practice?
Although yoga has its origins in Hinduism, yoga transcends any religion or culture. Its application is universal. Knowledge, which is scientific or spiritual, has universal application regardless of its origin. For example, the law of gravity was discovered in the West, but its application is universal. It would be childish of people in the East, to say that they will not use televisions and telephones, just because they were invented in the West. Similarly, it would be very narrow minded to say, that one will not use yoga because it comes from Hinduism – even though its benefits are well known.

Q:Which is the best time for practicing yoga?
The best time to do yoga practice is early in the morning, when your stomach is empty, and you have a minimum number of distractions. It is also recommended that you repeat your practices late in the afternoon, or early evening before dinner. Morning practices keep your enthusiasm and energy levels higher during the day, and evening practices help you get rid of stresses and tensions accumulated during the day – refreshing you.

Q: What Yoga style should I practice?
There are many forms of yoga like – Hatha, Kundalini etc Choosing a style that best suits your interests will depend on many factors: age, current level and type of other activity/exercise, temperature preference, fitness level, long term goals, your temperament and the teacher.
Some yoga is fast paced, while other forms are slow. Some yoga practices are meditative, some restorative. Experiment with different styles of classes or seek help to fight the best one suited for you.

Q: Do I need to be flexible or lose weight to do Yoga?
Yoga is the best exercise to bring flexibility in the body, it helps a lot on losing weight. Its never late to start. Depending on your current level of flexibility, health as well as goals you can choose the right style of Yoga for you with the help of teacher.

Q:Can you suggest some Asanas that I can do while I am at work and have less time?
Yoga has hundreds of Asanas and similarly various styles of Yoga. It can be simple to very strenuous and can be time taking or within short time also. You can choose the right ones to do in less time and one which is more beneficial to you . 

Q:How do I get a better posture in my asana? How do I maintain balance in any Asana?
To attain a better posture and balance, the first thing to do is to let go of the effort in the mind. In the yogasutras, Patanjali gives two methods to deepen your sadhana. The first is Abhyasa, practice. The more you practice, the better you get at the postures. The key is to not force but gently improve the posture using the breath as a tool. You will notice that using the breath you are able to go deeper in the posture. The second is Vairagya – dispassion. The ability to drop the world is a big help in the practice. Mentally surrendering to the posture, not comparing or analysing too.

Q:What should be the duration of a yoga practise session?
Aim at doing your practices – for at least one hour every day in the beginning. If you do not have one hour every day, do your practices for whatever duration you can, however small it may be. Be regular and consistent in your practice. 20 minutes of daily practice is better than two hours of occasional practice.

Q:Could you explain the significance of the Surya Namaskar?
The Surya Namaskar – literally means Salutations to the Sun. Surya Namaskar is a beautiful set of asanas that massages, detoxifies and stimulates almost every organ of the human body, brings suppleness to the spine. It can be done fast, as a cardiac toner or at a slower pace to strengthen and tone the muscles and enhance the functioning of internal organs. It can also be performed with the different mantras (names of the Sun). Like all other yoga practices, it is important to learn it under proper supervision and guidance.

Q:Where can I plan to have a safe, comfortable practice?
Do the yoga practices in a clean and well-ventilated space. If possible, keep a separate room for your yoga practices. You will build positive energy in that room, which will provide healing, strength, and comfort to you and others. Keep this room at a comfortable, warm temperature. The body stretches better in warm temperature. However, avoid having the temperature so excessively high, that the body feels uncomfortable, and the mind becomes restless – since this defeats the purpose of yoga. Practice away from any furniture, or any sharp objects.

Q: I have a medical condition, can I do Yoga?
While Yoga can help in improving health conditions, please consult your physician if you have any history of health condition, who will then decide based on you health history and current status. For example – people with blood pressure issues shouldn’t do inversion, pregnant women shouldn’t do inversion or back-bend etc among many precautions.

Q:How does one become a yoga teacher?
One need to go through a rigorous training of Yoga teacher where one not only learn physical exercises called Aasanas, but also Philosophy about yoga along with Anatomy of body , Pranayam etc. You can find various 200hr Yoga teacher courses around.

Q: Do I need to be on a vegetarian diet and leave smoke or drink to benefit from yoga?
Yoga recommends and tells about right way of living, including right kind of food, drink etc which is good for bringing mind and body together and provide more energy. However a non-veg food or shouldn’t stop you from doing Yoga and Vegetarian food isn’t a prerequisite, but if you can connect to di-vine, you wont need wine.

Q:How do I justify, the time I spend on myself to do yoga practice?
A happy person spreads happiness all around. So you are doing these yoga practice – not just for yourself, but for others’ happiness as well. Do not feel guilty for taking time out for yourself. Give yoga an important place in your life. It will bring many rewards.

Thanks for your time. If you have any question or need, please reach at – info@shikti.com or drsantkj@gmail.com, or through our contact-us page.

Bless & light.