Yoga 101: an introduction to the power of the practice

Many of us first come to yoga with certain preconceptions of the practice. We envision an advanced yogi twisted into a pretzel standing on a mountain and immediately pale in comparison. But the very nature of the practice of yoga is rooted in self-acceptance and a willingness to begin just where you are. Yoga is accessible to all bodies, and thanks to props and modifications, it’s safe for everyone.

What is yoga?

The word ‘yoga’ comes from the Sanskrit word ‘yuj,’ which means to bind together and unite. It’s an ancient discipline intended to integrate and balance the mind, body and heart through physical postures, or asanas, and breathwork, or pranayama. And yet, there’s so much more to yoga’s philosophical tenants to be discovered once you’ve tackled the basics with beginner yoga.

It was over 2,500 years ago that the Indian sage Patanjali wrote the Yoga Sutras – a collection of 196 philosophical affirmations that create a prescribed code of conduct for the challenges we all face as human beings. New students to yoga may find the Sanskrit terminology confusing, but they’ll certainly feel the blissed-out benefits of yoga almost immediately.

According to International yoga teacher Seane Corn:

Yoga means to come together and make whole and it recognizes that there’s no separation between anything. And if you understand that there’s no separation between the mind and body, what this tells us is that everything we think, feel or experience has an effect on our cellular tissue. Our bodies remember everything.

Biography becomes biology

The medical intuitive Caroline Myss agrees that our biography becomes biology. The body tells the story of our life, whether that means chronic pain due to anxiety or rigid holding patterns from past trauma. Since stress can become trapped in the body as tension, yoga and mindfulness practices have proven beneficial to those suffering from PTSD. In a study published in the International Journal of Yoga Therapy, 11 war veterans all reported reduced rage and anxiety, and increased feelings of peace and relaxation after 8 weeks of mindfulness meditation.

The theory of exercise states that if we don’t use it, we lose it.

And although movement is such a foundational part of being human, we live in a culture that celebrates productivity above self-care.

Perhaps yoga’s most profound benefit in the modern world is it mitigates the stress response and activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which regulates the body’s ability to relax.

The power of self-study to change thought patterns

Yoga is a transformative tool that begins by linking movement with breath. Similar to cognitive behavioral therapy, yoga works to shift our brain chemistry with repetitive thought, which rewires the patterns of the mind. Students engage in self-study, or svadyaya, by bearing witness to the thoughts, reactions, and emotions that surface while holding poses. We then discover insights and understandings by examining the mind.

Yoga heightens our capacity to feel alert and at ease despite challenging physical and psychological discomfort so we’re better prepared to face life off the mat.

The word 'vinyasa' translates as 'to place in a special way.' The practice is individual, like a dance with choreography that can be sequenced intelligently in many possible arrangements.

When we align our minds with breath, we experience a state of relaxation that is deeply therapeutic.

There are so many health benefits of yoga, including mood stability, better circulation, increased flexibility and strength. Yoga can also serve as a potent tool for developing self-empowerment, coping with anxiety and depression and improving mental focus and sleep. Western science has only recently begun quantifying the impact of yoga on human health.

Movement comes naturally to us, and is most healing and invigorating when we carefully pay attention to our own bodies, minds, and breath. What style of yoga do you practice? Let me know if you have any questions about yoga in the comments below.