What is this magical thing we call Yoga?

Now there's a question. It feels almost impossible to sum up what Yoga is in a few short sentences; especially in an age where a lot of people claim a lot of different things are yoga (and I'm not here to tell you or them otherwise)

So if we take it right back, Yoga has been translated from the word Yuj which is a Sanskrit word which means "to yoke". Many have understood this to mean to join or connect the physical body, energetic body and the mind and/or perhaps to also connect or join with something higher than us whether you believe that to be the Universe, a God, Community, Nature.

Many texts over thousands of years have spoken about this rich practice, but one in particular which has had an profound impact on how we practice yoga today are the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali (well worth a read if you have the time, its not very long!). These ideas shared in the book are not thought to have originated with Patanjali who was a Sage in modern day India; but rather were codified and transcribed from ideas of the time on how best to achieve this yoke or union.

The Yoga Sutras described 8 branches of Yoga which if practiced were believed to bring contentment through stilling the mind, accessing the true self and working towards enlightenment - sounds pretty great right?

So what were these branches?

• Yamas - (Ethical Principles)

• Niyamas - (Ethical Restraints)

• Asana - (Physical Postures)

• Pranayama - (Breath and energetic work)

• Pratyahara - (Withdrawal of the senses)

• Dharana - (Concentration)

• Dhyana - (Meditation)

• Samadhi - (Enlightenment and Bliss)

There is a LOT to unpack there so watch out for further blog posts where I will break down each of these in more detail.

But for now, how do Yoga classes you may find in your local village hall or online fit all of these in to one 30-90 minute class?! Honest answer, they probably won't but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. it may be if you attend a class consistently you may touch on many of these over time, or some of them may be better practiced off the mat and outside the class room.

But to give you an example of what a typical class of mine might look like which may explain how we bring some of these things to life in a Yoga Class

I might theme a class around or do a short intro on one of the Ethical Principles or practices of Yoga (Yamas and Niyamas), we might then start spending time doing a mindfulness or breath exercise, perhaps with the eyes closed, perhaps bringing our attention away from the outside world (Pranayama and Pratyahara). We then might spend some time doing a range of physical postures; some seated, some standing, maybe some inversions (Asana); We might then do some balancing poses and work with a 'Drishti' or focal point (Dharana). Before we finish the class we might then doing a meditation whether that’s seated, lying down or standing if you prefer (Dhyana). Not every class will contain all of these things, and some classes we will focus on certain branches more than others; but I will damn well do my best to try and give you a rounded class which honours these ancient and rich traditions every time

I hope this is helpful as a starting point, but know there is SO much more to unpack, especially when we start to look at the Philosophy side. Some books I would recommend if you’re keen to learn more about the History of Yoga, and what Yoga looks like today

• The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

• The Heart of Yoga - TKV Desikachar

• Yoke: My Yoga of Self-Acceptance - Jessamyn Stanley

• The Yoga Manifesto - Nadia Gilani

• Embrace Yoga's Roots: Courageous Ways to Deepen your Yoga Practice - Susanna Barkataki

Want to learn more? Why not book a class and see for yourself. I am a supportive and inclusive yoga teacher who can work with you to support you towards your goals or personal needs.

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