Frequently Asked Questions
- Where does Yoga come from?
- Yoga is an ancient practice, which many believe originated in India. However, recent studies show that yoga was practiced in Egypt perhaps even earlier than it was in India. The most important point is that Yoga has worked for thousands of years as a way to help people stay healthy, happy and at peace with themselves.
- Is Yoga a religion?
- No, yoga is not a religion it’s a science of self development. That is why people from all faiths practice it. Similar to Karate and Tai’Chi, the principles of Yoga can apply to everyone regardless of race, gender, belief or culture.
- Is Yoga exercise?
- Yes yoga is exercise but it’s more than that. Yoga exercises your mind and emotions as well as your body, creating an inner peace and strength which makes it easier to deal with stressful situations.
- Do you need to be flexible to do Yoga?
- No, you do not have to be flexible to do yoga. If you are not flexible and you begin to do yoga, you will find that your flexibility will increase rapidly.
- Why do we chant?
- We use sound therapy to effect our moods and help us focus the mind.
- Why do we chant in another language?
- Some of the sounds we use have been selected because they are basic to all languages. They stimulate organs and parts of the body to help relieve stress and help us heal ourselves and others.
- Can you get hurt practicing yoga?
- If you listen carefully to the teacher and to your own body, you will not get hurt. You can hurt yourself in yoga only if you are not paying attention to what your body is ready for.
- Why should anyone care about Yoga?
- People should care about Yoga because having a strong practice helps create a sense of balance and promotes overall good health. An individual practicing Yoga can help make a difference in our world because of their self-awareness and inner strength cultivated from Yoga. Caring about Yoga is caring about the health of yourself and our planet.
- What are you supposed to get out of yoga? Why should I take it?
- Yoga can provide a sense of well being which can help reduce stress, increase your concentration and infuse self-confidence into your life. People usually take yoga if they are interested in making their life happier and healthier.
- Is my head ever supposed to feel dizzy?
- Your head may become dizzy if you are not familiar with the new breathing techniques you are learning. If you are new at yoga, your body may not be used to the increased circulation and the oxygen going to your brain. With continued practice, the dizziness will go away.
- Why are we trying to get Yoga into the communities?
- Because of the proven benefits of yoga, bringing it into the communities can help create a stronger, healthier and more motivated atmosphere. Yoga can help bring families together and help reduce crime.
- What is Y.O.G.A. for Youth?
- Y.O.G.A. for Youth is a program to teach at risk children and teens yoga so they may understand that they have a place in our society and that it is possible to overcome certain hurdles in life. Yoga for Youth is a program consisting of established yoga teachers who are dedicated to working with these children on a regular basis.
- Does teaching Yoga at detention camps really help the inmates?
- Yes, it has been reported that teaching yoga in detention camps helps the inmates control their anger more easily and helps reduce stress. Yoga also helps one focus on their own possibilities, therefore, creating self-awareness and inner strength. This can help an inmate make healthy and conscious decisions especially when they are out of the camps.
- Can you practice Yoga and still eat meat?
- You can still eat meat although you may find the deeper your practice becomes the less you will want to eat it. It is recommended that you be vegetarian because eating this way helps your mind and body become clearer. Many believe that being a vegetarian is a more conscious way of eating and is also better for our environment.
- What are some yogic tools that are easy to do and don’t take a lot of time? (i.e. stimulating the life nerve)
- Sitting quietly for a few minutes and focusing on long deep breathing is a very easy tool to calm and focus the mind. For more energy you can do Breath of Fire which is a rapid inhale and exhale through the nose only. When doing Breath of Fire, your navel should slightly pump in and out. Focusing your eyes to your third eye point (the point between your eyebrows) is also another way to de-stress and clear your mind. While practicing your breathing, focus up at your third eye point to really feel the benefits. There are also simple moves that can wake the body up such as spinal flex and stretching over straightened legs while holding onto your legs or toes. Remember to use your breath to help your concentration and to get a better stretch.
- How does getting high effect yoga? Does yoga affect getting high?
- When you do yoga, you get high naturally! You don’t need to take drugs to get high. Certain techniques such as Breath of Fire are great natural ways to get high. Taking drugs effects your yoga practice because it does not allow you to truly feel your own self and creates an illusion of what is really going on. The drugs are poisonous to your system and they create toxins in your body. These toxins can affect your health and cause sickness both in mind and body. If you do not want to get high from drugs anymore, try adding yoga to your life and you will find that your drug use will decrease as your awareness and good health increases.
- How does yoga affect my sexual activity?
- Yoga helps channel sexual energy to give you greater physical and mental strength. It helps maintain sexual potency and gives you the ability to balance your sexual activity in a way that can help you make more conscious choices as to what is healthy for you and what is not.
