Yoga Institute
Five thousand years ago, India started popularizing the practice of yoga, a natural progression of a primordial, spiritual quest for self-realization. Today, the practice hinges less on religious undercurrents than modern conveniences. Considering that yoga is no longer a culture exclusive to India, entrepreneurs worldwide have erected an entire industry around it, from showy yoga mats to fully equipped yoga institutes.
Still, despite the commercial trappings, little has changed in the way yoga is taught. Then as now, yoga is presented as the harmonizing of the body, mind, soul, and the cosmic energy of the universe. True enough, yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word for “union.”
For denser followers, yoga, let alone yoga institutes, merely evokes those boneless poses lately struck by Madonna in her concerts and videos. But yoga is more profound than that.
Its physicality is just but one of yoga’s many aspects. Yoga is prescribed as a complete lifestyle, covering anything from diet to meditation to even the way one thinks.
All the same, the physicality of yoga is what makes it famous. The physical facet of yoga is called hatha. Hatha yoga involves low-impact physical activities, comprised mainly of poses called asanas and breathing techniques called pranayama.
Hatha has many varieties, foremost of which is the Ashtanga yoga. It is singled out for its rapid pace and forceful asanas. Vinyasa or power yoga has also drawn parallels with Ashtanga due to its fast yoga moves.
Bikram is yet another kind of yoga, distinct for its use of heat. This yoga is performed in studios warmed to over 100° Fahrenheit.
Meanwhile, the Iyengar yoga has a telltale penchant for equipment, such as chairs, blocks, and straps. Conversely, restorative yoga is less complicated, its yoga moves relatively simpler.
Gaining popularity is the Kundalini yoga. This particular discipline lets followers chant as they go through their yoga moves.
Whichever type the practitioner likes, yoga parlays many bodily benefits. To the body yoga can impart enhanced flexibility, greater balance, cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength, boosted energy, weight control, and an improved immune system, among others. Mentally, yoga can relieve stress and develop intellectual skills.
In light of all these, yoga sticklers have often gravitated to the land where it all began. Indeed, the best yoga institutes are still in India. Here, yoga fans are in the face of wizened yoga teachers, whose knowledge comes directly from the masters.
No hardcore fan of yoga would dare miss the Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore. The school is now in the hands of Saraswati Jois, the daughter of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, who is a prodigy of T. Krishnamacharya.
Just as quintessential is the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune. However, this yoga institute only teaches advanced practitioners of the eponymous yoga.
Other than these yoga institutes, one can learn the art in the many yoga retreats strewn across India, including the spas of hotel chains. One need not scale the globe to learn yoga, however. In the comfort of one’s neighborhood, a studio, gym or a YMCA might hold a trained yoga teacher or two.
Agreeably, the best yoga teachers are members of the Yoga Alliance. The organization certifies practitioners who have undergone a minimum of 200 hours in yoga teacher training.
Alternatively, one may choose to self-teach. Hundreds of yoga DVDs and books are available commercially, and although they are no substitute for yoga teacher training, they might be steps nearer to nirvana.
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June 9th, 2009 at 11:48 am
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