About Yoga
A modern day language and approach for Yoga without sacrificing its timeless wisdom and ideals
Yoga is an ancient yet living and evolving collection of practices relating to physical, mental and spiritual development. In this way it covers a wide spectrum of knowledge including health, fitness, psychology and spirituality.
Hatha yoga is essentially about creating balance on many levels: physical structure, breath, the mind, attitude to practice and gross and subtle intrinsic energies are all part of the field of play and learning. As an essentially practical and experiential discipline, it is accessible and beneficial to anyone providing they choose the right level to start.
Various approaches to hatha yoga exist which have developed through different teachers and cultural contexts. The varying styles all have core similarities but vary in pace and emphasis. This can be mind boggling for the beginner. Different approaches suit different people at different times. As a beginner it takes time to learn your alphabet in yoga and it is wise to do this slowly, thoroughly and in consideration of your health and age.
My own preferred interpretation is that hatha yoga should in essence be a creative form which one practices according to health, constitutional tendencies, stage of life, time of day and other factors. When practiced with awareness and inner listening, yoga can provide a conscious and safe movement towards balance and positive changes.
Many people are content with a hatha yoga practice as a support for their general health and well being; beyond that Yoga has a spiritual philosophy and accompanying meditation practices which require another level of interest and commitment. Yoga philosophy in essence carries the message that at a deep level all of life is interconnected. Meditation, study and inquiry provide the means to directly realise this for ourselves beyond conceptual doubt. This type of practice may in turn influence how we choose to live. Whilst this more directly spiritual end of the yoga spectrum can be practiced by itself, hatha yoga practices provide an invaluable base and support for it.
As a beginner in yoga it is best to start without assumptions of any kind, yoga is fun to start for the joy and freedom of movement, to relax or for no good reason at all! For those prepared to practice it can inspire your life!