How yoga works / what is yoga?

Yoga is a complete science, the oldest discipline of personal development in existence. With its emphases on the inner environment - optimal functioning of the nervous and endocrine systems - its basis is build on the calming, consciousness expanding properties of specific breathing techniques and meditation practices. The physical exercises are designed with energy, or prana, as basis. Health is considered more important than fitness; fitness is seen as a by-product of health, and peace of mind and a comfortable physical body as the prerequisite of happiness. The body-mind-spirit aproach of yoga is the root of this vital and vitality enhancing system.

The very distinct, though inseparable, aspects of the physical, and mental, metaphysical and spiritual worlds are developed to create union rather than separation through intuitive understanding of what life is - a grasp of the being, the whole being. Hence the concept of well-being - wellness of body, mind and spirit.

The physical aspect is relatively easy to understand, as its energetic aspects are mechanical in concept. ‘Hatha yoga’ consists of the practice of postures, meditation, breathing and relaxation. The spiritual dimension is sometimes more difficult to grasp, probably only because so much of our lifestyle and being is not at all sensitive to our finer sensibilities. In "whole yoga" practice all the physical practices has an underlying metaphysical philosophy, blending the two plains of ‘physical’ and non-physical’ spheres. This is the point where it becomes apparent that yoga is much more than a physical culture, but rather a ‘way of being’. It also marks the point where a blending of facts and ideas jumbles into seemingly paradoxical, hard-to-pinpoint ideas, a world most easily understood by a Zen-like mindfulness, nest understood not by the rational and intuitive minds, and experienced first hand by the observer or student of yoga.

Yoga can be extremely accessible for the beginner. A step-by-step, learn-as-you-go along approach is easily nurtured by starting with the easier physical postures, and learning to understand the reasons and principles behind its practice along the way. Yoga promotes itself through its practice, it teaches the body and mind values and understanding of self through insight achieved in the practice thereof. The fundamental physical aspects of yoga practice brings about understanding of its metaphysical concepts. The exercises (postures), breathing and meditation aim to establish the body as a comfortable and healthy place to reside in.

The incredible thing about yoga is that it renders the body radiant, with a vitality that generates its energy from the bends, twists, and the deep breathing that absorb the prana in the air and then also spreads this generated energy through via the increased quality of blood circulation. The bending and twisting, coupled with proper breathing stimulates the well-being of every cell. The organs and all body tissue are gently massaged and squeezed to stimulate a tone and suppleness, as well as stimulating the secretion of the necessary fluids from the glands and ducts of the body to maintain health. The nervous system is strengthened and tuned to the breath, making it possible for the mind to become still during meditation in order to develop the holistic mental processes of self development. The digestive tract, respiratory tract, cardio-vascular system and circulation is benefited by the exercises, so is the reproductive and immune system. Understanding this principle of yoga underscores its mighty impact on the body and mind.

From a spiritual point of view we are spiritual beings housed in the physical realm, and as such the only way to understand this, and to treat our being as a whole is to make the connection between our more subtle energy bodies and our physical bodies – there where the health issues and emotions that we deal with becomes apparent. By using the postures and correct lifestyle habits (thoughts, breathing, eating, the way we stand, walk, exercise), combined with specific meditation and breathing techniques designed to access and control the nervous system, the energy channels, or meridians. The chakras are all-important in advanced yoga practice, and the practice of yoga helps them to function properly while training our awareness to a different level of consciousness and state of being, one where the practitioner is more in tune with things relating to the subtle etheric body and the metaphysical plain of existence.