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On a daily basis, what can you do to remain centered, focused, and free of undue stress? Balanced nutrition, exercise, and adequate rest all work to keep the body, mind, and spirit healthy. Nutrition encompasses more than the food choices you make to sustain the energy needs of the body. How do you feed your mind and spirit in the thoughts you think, the books you read, or the movies you watch? What type of physical activities do you pursue that incorporate nutrition for the body, the mind, and the spirit? Yoga began nearly 5,000 years ago as oral sacred knowledge passed from teacher to disciple. The Vedas are the earliest writings of scriptural knowledge, devotional rituals, and hymns. At the end of the Vedic period came the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, which described the process of yoga as the state of harmony and the means to realization, linking the individual to the Universal Self. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika described techniques of asana (posture) that have evolved into the hatha yoga of today. The physical aspect of yoga manipulates the life force of the body through posture, breath control, and mental concentration. There are several million people who now practice some form of yoga. Medical research has shown that yoga can be therapeutic, restoring health to an ailing body, slowing the aging process, or even reversing some of its effects! If you choose to pursue the benefits that yoga offers, what’s the next step? First, assess your individual needs to determine the style of yoga that fits your personal profile. Are you generally fit and active, preferring a fast-paced class where you "follow the leader"? Are you sedentary, or recovering from an injury or medical condition that requires individual attention and gentle stretching that will build strength slowly? Do you like to chant or meditate? Next, explore the many styles of yoga that are available today to find the one that works for you. Many studios offer a drop-in class, enabling you to experience the style of yoga class and the teacher before making a commitment. Before you go, ask questions. What type of educational training has the teacher received? Can the teacher accommodate individual needs? Are classes large or small? Are beginners separated from more seasoned students? Is there a standard sequence that is followed? Is the class all action, or is there a resting time? Do you have to bring any yoga props or a towel? Do they recommend coming on an empty stomach? What should you wear? Here’s a partial list of some of the yoga studios in the area and the styles of yoga they offer. Ballard Firehouse Studio teaches Bikram (Choudhurry's) yoga, a series of hatha yoga postures performed in a room heated to 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit. It is a physical workout that is challenging to the beginner, the naturally flexible, and the athlete. You will find your own edge of difficulty and develop physical stamina and mental concentration. Modifications can be tailored to individuals. Daily classes are offered. Staff of five teachers. (206) 789-8099; <http://www.firehouseyoga.com/>. The Holistic Tao, with four locations, features the Korean style or Dahnhak method, the study of energy and how to use it to achieve mastery of the mind and body and illumination of the spirit. The main focus is on stretching, energy awareness, and meditative breath work in a series of postures designed to open meridian channels to increase energy flow, flexibility, and fitness while releasing negative energy caused by stress. Daily classes in most locations. Downtown Seattle: (206) 223-9642; Bellevue: (425) 373-9959; Shoreline: (206) 366-1122; University District: (206) 524-7166; <http://www.holistictao.com/>. Tree House Yoga teaches primarily in the style of B. K. S. Iyengar, placing emphasis on alignment to safely achieve maximum benefit from the postures, as well as vinyasa, a flowing style with attention to breath that increases strength, flexibility, balance, energy, and endurance while decreasing physical and emotional stress. Work at your own pace to learn particular body positions or poses. Daily classes with a staff of five teachers, 15 or fewer students per class. (206) 361-9642; <http://www.treehouseyogaseattle.com/>. West Seattle Yoga and Ayurveda offers yoga classes that blend the Iyengar style with an Ayurvedic approach to practice based on the time of day or the season in which class is in session. Emphasis is on bringing balance to the body, mind, and spirit not only with posture and breath but also through nutrition, herbs, and Vedic philosophy. Two morning and four evening classes with ten or fewer students per class. (206) 937-2009; <yogafarmer@earthlink.net>. Yoga Centers in Bellevue offers hatha yoga in the Iyengar style, the practice of physical postures and breathing exercises helping to bring balance into the body and mind. Benefits can include physical improvements such as becoming more flexible, strong, and healthy, and preventing or recovering from injury. Hatha yoga can also provide emotional benefits such as calming, focusing the mind, and lifting the spirit. Daily classes in three studios, with a staff of 18 teachers. (425) 746-7476; <http://www.yogacenters.com/>. Yoga, like life, is a process. In the cyclic changes of life, yoga can support and enhance your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual journey to rediscovering your true essence. Check it out! Carmen Viola is a certified Iyengar instructor who has practiced hatha yoga since 1976. She teaches yoga in her Maple Valley studio for both novices and seasoned practitioners. E-mail her at <carmen@thewaytowin.com> for more information. |
Going
beyond the roles and masks you wear from day to day or moment
to moment, beyond the ego-self, you discover that your essential
nature is pure consciousness, not the myriad aspects of personality
you label as your identity. When you become so ensnared in the
ego-self, your essential nature struggles to become free, creating
disease, a byproduct of the illusion of control. Some stress
— the interconnection of the organs, muscles, and bones
that holds the body together — is good. Essentially there
are only two options between which an individual may choose to
alleviate disease: activity or rest.