Yoga

Yoga is best known for its physical postures, asanas. The literal meaning of the word yoga is “union.” The union between mind and body.

Yoga is a holistic approach to connecting the mind and body through various means. This includes breathing techniques, meditation, wisdom, lifestyle practices (Ayurveda) and of course, physical postures. All of these serve as a bridge for the mind and body to realize their highest potential. Discover 10 wonderful benefits of yoga's physical poses in our infographic below, The Top 10 Scientific Benefits of Yoga.

Understanding the physical side of yoga

Yoga for Beginners: An Easy Guide to Help You Start Today

Topics covered include:

• Do I need to have a flexible body to practice yoga?
• How is the practice of yoga poses different from stretching or other fitness activities?
• Some tips for beginners to get started with your yoga practice
• What are the benefits of yoga practice?

The Top 13 Yoga Benefits for Your Body and Mind

Topics covered include:

• The top 13 benefits that you can enjoy with regular yoga practice
• Practicing yoga consistently is the key
• Yoga poses for different health and fitness conditions

50 Yoga Poses for Health, Flexibility, and Inner Strength

Topics covered include:

• 50+ yoga poses, from basic to advanced
• Helpful and enlightening tips for practicing yoga

Art of Living Yoga Studio- Online 

To further support you, our online yoga studio offers the following classes:

1. Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep) - Commonly practiced at the end of a yoga session. It’s used to alleviate chronic pain or as a sleep aid.
2. Sukshma Yoga (subtle, gentle yoga) - Perfect for anyone with physical limitations or anyone too busy for a lengthy practice. It’s also great when you are traveling or at the office.
3. Sun Salutations - A series of energizing postures that’s a complete workout. Best practiced in the morning hours.
4. Yoga Therapy - A restorative yoga practice generally focused on one area of the body. 

a) Spine Care

b) Neck and Shoulder Care

c) Knee Care

5. Sri Sri Yoga Signature Class - A holistic, hatha yoga focussed daily practice.

Check out our schedule here. 

What is not yoga?

These days, it seems everyone has a new twist on classical yoga. Given how expansive the world of modern yoga is, let’s be clear about what is and isn’t yoga.

Yoga is not a religion. Yoga can be practiced by anyone with a human body. 

Yoga is not a belief system. Though there is yoga philosophy available, you do not have to believe anything to practice and benefit from yoga.

Yoga with a twist is not yoga. Horseback yoga, beer yoga, and similar so-called “yogas” are not yoga in the true sense. 

These yoga classes may borrow from the world of yoga poses, but other elements like animals and alcohol are not aligned with authentic yoga.

The world of yogic wisdom

The origins of yoga can be traced back more than ten thousand years. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is one of the most popular ancient texts that offers insight on yoga. Patanjali explains both the profound yogic philosophy and yoga practices.

Yoga’s approach to health and well-being promotes the harmonious partnership of body, mind, and spirit. In the yoga sutras, Patanjali calls this eight-fold path “ashtanga yoga.” Ashta means eight, and anga means limbs. 

 The eight limbs of yoga are: 

1. Social ethics (Yama)
2. Physical and mental hygiene (Niyama)
3. Postures or poses (Asana)
4. Breathing exercises (Pranayama)
5. Withdrawing the senses inward (Pratyahara)
6. Art of effortless concentration (Dharana)
7. Meditation (Dhyana)
8. Equanimity (Samadhi)

Yoga’s lifestyle guide, Ayurveda

Yoga and Ayurveda are sister sciences stemming from ancient texts called the Vedas. When these two are combined, the benefits of each are multiplied. Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that translates to the knowledge of life. 

Ayurveda takes a preventative approach by recommending personalized healthy diets, herbs, remedies for specific ailments, and exercises based on each individual’s energetic constitution. 

The connection between yoga and meditation

Ask any avid yoga practitioner about their experience during asana practice, and they will likely share about their inner experience.

A calm, meditative mind is a direct result of mindfully being in physical postures. With full attention on the body, withdrawing the senses inward, meditation happens effortlessly. 

How do we maximize and deepen that meditative experience? Using a meditation technique, like Sahaj Samadhi, at the end of your regular yoga practice enables you to effortlessly go deeper in meditation.

More subtle than the body is the breath

Yoga teachers often incorporate yogic breathing into their yoga practice. The breath is the easiest way to connect the mind and body. This connection between mind, body, and breath brings the entire world of yoga’s benefits to fruition. 

Here’s some of what you can expect to experience when the power of your breath is utilized for the purpose of yoga (union).

• Less chronic pain
• Improved mental health
• The ability to fall asleep faster
• Improved physical health
• Increased physical energy
• Better stress management
• Healthy weight loss
• Greater mental focus
• Enhanced optimism

Yoga of breath

If you’re interested in taking your yoga experience to the next level, we offer the very best of breathing and meditation combined in one powerful technique— SKY Breath Meditation. 

Taught over three days, in just a couple of hours each day, you will do some light yoga, learn a few breathing techniques along with SKY, and gain some practical wisdom. 

To give you a taste of what SKY Breath Meditation can do for you, we offer a free introductory session where you can learn more about SKY, experience a relaxing guided meditation, and learn bellows breath (aka yogic cappuccino). A certified SKY instructor will guide you through all of these, answer any questions, and help you take the next step.