FAQ
This section will provide you with answers to some of the common questions prior to experiencing a Wholly Yoga practice. If you don’t see your question here please ask us below.
- Can I do yoga if I’m not flexible?
- Yes you can! Many people think that you have to be flexible to begin yoga. But that is like thinking that you need to be able to play tennis in order to take tennis lessons. You don't do yoga because you are flexible you do yoga to become more flexible. Start wherever you are and honor what you can do in your body. As you practice you will find that you will become more flexible. In addition to flexibility you will gain balance, strength, coordination, focus, an enhanced cardiovascular health, as well as a sense of confidence and well-being.
- Does yoga lead to eastern religion?
- No. Yoga is a system of physical, mental and spiritual practices that builds strength and flexibility, balance and focus as well as breathing skills. The medical community has documented the benefits of yoga. In actuality yoga predates all the major world religions religion and can be used by any religion or no religion.
- How often should I practice?
- If you only practice for one hour a week, you will experience the benefits of yoga. If you can do more than that, the benefits will be multiplied. Two or three times a week, for an hour to an hour and a half each time is a good pattern to experience the greatest benefit. If you can only do 20-30 minutes per session, that is still better than nothing. Do what you can and you may find that after a time your desire to practice will grow and you will find yourself doing more and more.
- Is yoga a religion?
- It is best to understand the answer to that question by exploring the difference between a religion and spirituality. Religions function around a specific belief system and worship of a particular God. While yoga does have a ethical code (the sutras), that code is not directed towards any specific God and is not an expression of obedience to any God. The spiritual intentionality in yoga can be pursued by people of any faith or no faith at all. So while there is a connection between the spirituality of yoga and religious practice yoga is not itself a religion.
Yoga shares a common language with Hinduism but is not an expression of the Hindu religion. No more that fact that the New testament of Christian Scriptures shares a common language with the Greek religion make it an expression of the Greek gods. Here is another way to look at it. People of all faiths pray. No one religion can claim the act of prayer as exclusively their own. So the practice of yoga cannot be claimed exclusively by anyone faith or religion. Yoga predates the major world religions as yoga drawings have been discovered that are over $5,000 years old (Holy Yoga, pg.5). Yoga enable the study and observation of one's spirituality; it is not a religion. It is a spiritual practice, but it is not a religion, because it does not dictate a God to be worshiped.
What some people say about yoga and religion
Pandit Usharbudh Arya: Yoga is not a religion or a church. It requires no belief in a doctrine, no credo. All yoga philosophy is concerned with the experience of meditation and nothing else. It does not require anyone to adhere to a belief system. (from the book, God)
Osho: First, yoga is not a religion—remember that. Yoga is not Hindu, it is not Mohammedan. Yoga is a pure science just like mathematics, physics or chemistry. Physics is not Christian, physics is not Buddhist. If Christians have discovered the laws of physics, then too physics is not Christian. It is just accidental that Christians have come to discover the laws of physics. But physics remains just a science. Yoga is a science—it is just an accident that Hindus discovered it. It is not Hindu. It is a pure mathematics of the inner being. So a Mohammedan can be a yogi, a Christian can be a yogi, a Jaina, a Buddhist can be a yogi. (link)
T.K.V. Desikachar "Yoga has no singular creed, nor does it have any ritual by which adherents profess their faith or allegiance, such as baptism or confirmation. There are no religious obligations, such as attending weekly worship services, receiving sacraments, fasting on certain days, or performing a devotional pilgrimage. "
B.K.S. Iyengar “Yoga is not meant to be a religion or a dogma for any one culture. While Yoga sprang from the soil of India, it is meant as a universal path, a way open to all regardless of their birth and background….We are all human beings, but we have been taught to think of ourselves as Westerners or Easterners. If we were left to ourselves, we would simply be individual human beings-- no Africans, no Indians, no Europeans, no Americans….There is no difference in the soul. The difference only comes between the ‘garments’ of the soul-- the ideas about ourselves that we wear. Break them. Do not feed them with divisive ideas. That is what yoga teaches. We are no different in our deepest needs. We are all human.”
For other perspectives see:
http://www.swamij.com/religion.htm
http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/yoga.htm
http://yoga.about.com/od/yogafa1/f/yogareligion.htm
http://yogachicago.com/nov06/yogachristianity.shtml - Is yoga just for getting fit?
- While physical heath and fitness is an important benefit of a yoga practice, it is much more. Yoga is a holistic way of life, not just physical exercise or a fitness routine. Yoga can be a part of everyday life, increasing our capacity to address life's challenges and pleasures. Yoga can be done every moment we are breathing, appreciation and control of our breath is one of the simple and benefits of yoga we can do it anywhere, anytime
- Should I talk with my doctor about yoga?
- Yes if you have existing any medical conditions, health issues or restrictions or you are recovering form injury, you should consult with your physician or medical professional and receive the OK to begin a yoga practice. Please advise us of any medical issues you may have before you begin each practice. We can provide you with appropriate modifications or advise you about postures that should be avoided. Be sure to listen to what your body as you practice. there should not be pain in practicing yoga. If you are feel any pain (sharp, hot, or twinging), stop and seek assistance in finding an appropriate way to continue
- What are the Yamas & Nyamas
- They are the ethical code of yoga. They are broken into tow groups the yamas and the niyamas. The five yamas focus on how we relate to others and the world and have a balanced life. The niyamas focus on the spiritual practices that help us to live that balanced life. The principles of the yamas and niyamas share much in common with the moral code of Christian scriptures the Ten Commandments and the spiritual teachings of Jesus at the Sermon on the Mount called the Beatitudes.
Yamas
A h i m s a - N o n - H a r m i n g
S a t y a - Tr u t h f u l n e s s
A s t e y a - N o n - s t e a l i n g
B r a h m a c h a r y a - M o d e r a t i o n o f t h e S e n s e s
A p a r i g r a h a N o n - p o s s e s s i v e n e s s
Niyamas
S a u c h a - P u r i t y
S a n t o s h a - C o n t e n t m e n t
Ta p a s - S e l f - d i s c i p l i n e , s p i r i t u a l p r a c t i c e
S v a d h y a y a - S e l f - s t u d y
I s h v a r a P r a n i d h a n a S e l f - s u r r e n d e r - What are the Yoga Sutras?
- The 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 also outlines eight limbs of yoga: the yamas (restraints), niyamas (observances), asana (postures), pranayama (breathing), pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), dharana (concentration), dhyani (meditation), and samadhi (absorption).
Techniques that develop the body (hatha), the mind (jnana), the spirit (bhakti), one's actions (karma) and one's soul (raja) are parts of a yoga practice. - What do you call someone who practices yoga?
- A male who practices yoga is called a yogi, a female practitioner, a yogini
- What is yoga?
- The Sanskrit word, yoga, means ‘yoke’ - to couple or unite. The most commonly practiced system of yoga is built on three main structures: postures, breathing, and meditation. In his book, Light on Yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar writes,
"The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj meaning to bind, join, attach and yoke, to direct and concentrate one's attention on, to use and apply." It also means union or communion. The uniting of the mind, body, and spirit in devotion to God. It is the surrender of our whole lives to the will of God.
- What should I do if I am feeling pain?
- Unlike some other forms of physical activity or exercise yoga does not operate on the premise no pain, no gain. Practicing yoga should cause sensation but not pain. If you feel pain (sharp, hot, burning, stabbing) pause, come out of the posture and reconnect with your breath. Then seek assistance or a modification from the instructor leading the practice before you continue.
- Who can practice yoga?
- Unlike most forms of physical exercise and activity, yoga can be practiced by people of all ages and levels of physical fitness. Yoga asanas has been proven helpful to people with a variety physical conditions (ex scoliosis, fibromyalgia, cancer recovery) Mush postures have modification that make then accessible to people of all body types and levels of physical fitness. In addition props are available to be used to assist expressing the postures. You don't have to be extremely flexible or able to benefit from yoga.
- Why should I practice yoga?
Practicing yoga has many benefits:
For Your Body Yoga
Builds strength and flexibility, and tones muscles
Reduces stress and releases tension
Improves breathing and circulation
Increases energy and relaxation
For Your Mind Yoga
Calms restless thoughts
Cultivates focus and concentration
Develops mental clarity and confidence
Deepens self-awareness
For Your Spirit
Connects to your spirit
Encourages spiritual formation
Develops spiritual openness and centeredness
- How is Wholly Yoga different from other forms of yoga?
- There are many, many forms of yoga. Many practice yoga that has already stripped away any spiritual concepts and simply made it physical exercise. Others use yoga as a path to “enlightenment”. At Wholly Yoga we practice the physical postures, incorporate the teachings of Jesus and wisdom from the Christian scriptures and music to help participant develop a mind, body and spiritual connection with God. Wholly Yoga believes that we are meant to live and experience life as whole beings bringing together all aspects of our being physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual to find wholeness and health. We recognize that we are whole beings—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual and we desire to all our life into connection with God.
- Is Wholly Yoga just for Christians
- No, Wholly Yoga is open to anyone. Yoga practice connects mind, body and spirit it is not a religion or connected to any denomination. We do not preach at or try to convert people at Wholly Yoga. We welcome seekers and believers from all backgrounds, as well as those who just want to practice yoga.
- Should I eat before doing yoga?
- Yoga is typically practiced on an empty stomach. After eating the body engages energy and resources for processing and digesting food that is unavailable for your practice. So it is best to avoid eating 1-2 hrs before your practice. Drinking water before, during and after your yoga practice to stay hydrated is encouraged.
- What does namaste mean?
- Namaste has several meanings. Literally it means bow to you namas (bow) te (you). It is often used as a greeting in India, usually followed by a bow with hands in prayer position. In yoga it is often spoken from teacher to participant/student at the end of a yoga practice. It that setting it is said to mean the light in me honors the light in you. The usual response is to say namaste in return.
Each WY practice is closed with the following Jesus said, You are the light of the world.” “Namaste means the light that is in me recognizes the light in you.
- What should I bring?
- Bring a yoga or pilates mat, if you have one and water. If not, mats, blocks and straps are available for your use.
- What should I expect?
- Wholly Yoga practices are 60 or 75 minutes long. Contemplative meditation is a part of every practice. Christian Scriptures are used to set the intention and focus for the practice.
A variety of music including instrumental jazz (YogaFit), gospel (Jonathan Frey) and pop , non instrumental pop (U2, Sting), Reggae (Bob & Ziggy Marley) contemporary Christian music(Toby Mac),Gospel (Kirk Franklin) and rap (Grits) make up our play list.
- What should I wear?
- While there are many companies that sell "yoga" clothing it is not necessary to buy any special clothes to practice yoga. Wear comfortable clothing you can move in such shorts, sweat pants and a tee shirt.
- When should I arrive?
- Please arrive five or ten minutes early. Classes begin on time and it is disruptive to be late and disturbs the other students. Please try to enter the classroom and rest quietly on your mat until class begins.
- How can I make my donation?
- With cash or check.
Ask a question
[faq ask All]
People who looked at this item also looked at…
Related items
Recent comments