Culture
A Beginner’s Guide To Yoga
yoga guide introYoga’s unique combination of physical, mental and spiritual benefits have seen its appeal spread across the globe. However, with so many dubious modern interpretations of the discipline – ‘hula hoop yoga’ anyone? – it’s difficult for newcomers to know where to begin. Indian wellness guru Rujuta Diwekar offers an insider’s guide to the history and principles of yoga.
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YOGA TRADITION:YOGA TRADITION: Yoga originated in India over 5,000 years ago. It is orally documented and passed on through a guru-shishya parampara or lineage. As such, the wisdom of yoga is more subjective than objective. Yoga gurus would carefully handpick competent students and groom them to become acharyas, or teachers.
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TIMELESS YOGA:TIMELESS YOGA: Recently, I met a man, 92 years young, who asked me about the benefits of yoga, only to reveal that his own enthusiasm, energy and youth came out of his lifelong practice of sarvangasana (a form of shoulder stand) for 5 minutes every day.
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A Beginner’s Guide To Yoga.
YOGA LIFESTYLE:YOGA LIFESTYLE: The breed of men and women who practice a discipline for a few minutes a day as a way of life is becoming increasingly rare. Yoga, today, is practiced more often for perceived benefits than simply as a matter of daily discipline.
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UNIVERSAL YOGA:UNIVERSAL YOGA: Yoga is suitable for anyone, so age, gender, nationality, race, religion or any other factors are no barrier. Yoga also doesn’t require you to give up on or change your own lifestyle. Instead, it can fit in around and become an integral part of your life. [Photo: sunchild123/Flickr]
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YOGA HARMONY:YOGA HARMONY: Yoga teaches you that the body must be used as a learning tool so that life can be more fulfilling on every front – career, family, hobbies and so on. In this way, yoga can prove a vital way to help you achieve that elusive work-life balance.
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TIMELESS YOGA:AGELESS YOGA: Yoga teaches that as the body changes, the practice should adapt so that optimum health and fitness can be enjoyed at all ages. True yoga doesn’t believe in ‘sweating it out’, but rather takes a more nurturing approach, although a disciplined one nonetheless.
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STARTING YOGA:STARTING YOGA: Yoga is learned in class but “done” outside the class environment when you practice the equanimity it teaches. Yoga asana (physical postures) are much more than just stretches for the body. They teach us to use the body to still the mind.
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YOGA TEACHERS:YOGA TEACHERS: Choose a class based on the teacher and not on the promise of weight loss or nirvana. Your teacher will encourage you to challenge your body’s limits every time, but in a safe, effective and non-pushy manner.
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YOGA WISDOM:YOGA WISDOM: Your yoga teacher should have a solid base of daily asana practice and will be learning- and not just earning-focused. They should make the effort to introduce you to the Sanskrit names of the asanas and not just refer to adho mukha svanasana as ‘dog pose’ for years together! [Photo: Rafael Montilla/Flickr]
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YOGA INDUSTRY:YOGA INDUSTRY: A lot of the changing approach to yoga is because it is now no longer just an art and science but a full-fledged industry. Just the multimillion dollar apparel and yoga mat business went up by another 50% in the last 4 years alone.
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YOGA BUSINESS:YOGA BUSINESS: The commercialisation and commodification of yoga doesn’t take away from the art itself, but makes it quite a challenge to choose the right yoga class. The chances of you running into a yoga business model is always higher than you running into a true yoga school.
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YOGA BENEFITS:YOGA BENEFITS: Yoga promotes a holistic and sustainable way of life – one that is away from fads. It will keep your body lean, toned and light. It will generate strength, stamina, stability and flexibility in every asana, teaching you how to hold one part of the body and let go of another. [Photo: Dave Rosenblum/Flickr]
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YOGA FOR LIFE:YOGA FOR LIFE: Do your research and take time to find a class that suits you and your needs. But much like love, once you find true yoga, it’s a life-changing and life-enhancing experience and will be a support to you at all stages of your life.
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Rujuta DiwekarRujuta Diwekar has earned a reputation as one of India’s most respected and inspirational wellness and nutrition experts. She advises India’s elite on nutrition, yoga and Ayurveda. Her next book Indian Super Foods (out in April) will be about the inherent wisdom and power in India’s traditional food and eating practices. Rujuta is a regular contributor to this website as one of our special American Express Essentials Global Citizens. Discover more at rujutadiwekar.com and her Facebook page.
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