yoga | om | prana | pranyama | diaphragm breathing | ujjayi | vinyasa | benefits

What is yoga?
Yoga is the practice of tuning into one's self, joining body and mind to integrate the practice of meditation with physical action and activity. Joining the breath with asana practice allows one to become fully focused on what is happening in the present moment. The more proficient we become at joining the breath/mind with our activity, moment by moment, the more this practice ripples out (like the effects of a stone cast into a pond), to the rest of our lives. We become more attentive to what is happening with our thoughts, feelings and emotions and how we respond to things. Being able to see our mind more clearly provides space for new possibilities to occur.

Why do we chant OM?
The mantra OM is a seed syllable. OM unites the body, breath and mind through its quality of vibration. All living things have a unique quality of vibration. Chanting OM in unison explores the sounds of all living things. When practiced out loud it allows the individual to cut through current thought and activity, and connect to the present moment. You can experience the expansive quality of vibration that begins in the center of your chest and radiates out to join in with everyone else in the room; it is quite beautiful to hear. In the beginning of class, chanting OM is an immediate way to connect to the present moment, bringing focus and awareness to our physical asana practice as it connects us to the other practitioners in the room. We end our session with OM to mark the time we have spent with ourselves, for ourselves. Time worthwhile that can transform our lives and the lives of those we encounter in the world.

What is prana?
Prana is the universal energy that is present in both living and non-living matter. Heat, light, gravity, electricity, magnetism, etc, are all forms of prana. For living entities, prana is the vital energy of the life force that flows continuously through the body.

What is pranyama?
Pranyama is the fourth of the eight limbs of yoga. It is practiced to manipulate the breath in order to control, harmonize and synchronize the breath with the asana and meditative practices. The practice of pranyama increases oxygen flow to the body, penetrating every cell. This is said to increase the experience of well-being, increase healing and to regenerate body cells. The ancient practice tells us as we learn to control the breath by expanding it and slowing it down, we can actually extend our lives.

What is diaphragm breathing?
A comfortable, seated position, either cross legged or in hero's pose-virasana sitting up on heels. Close your eyes and place your hands on your lower abdomen. As you inhale through your nose, imagine bringing your breath all the way down in your lower abdomen so you can feel your it rise and fall with the inhale and exhale. This type of breathing provides improved mechanical ventilation and oxygenation to the body. It also imparts a more calming effect on the body and mind than upper chest breathing which keeps you in a physical and mental state of fight or flight.

What is Ujjayi breathing?
An expansive, Victory Breath, Ujjai breathing in yoga is used to generate heat and as a point of focus for the mind in order to stay present. The sound of ujjai breath, or "ocean breath", brings the student back again and again to the breath. We use ujjai breathing during asana practice to stay focused. It is done by breathing through the nose and slightly constricting the back of the throat on the inhale and exhale. After a while, you can become aware of the feeling of the throat as it constricts with the breath.

Begin with an open mouth and whisper the sound of "ah" or "ha" as you inhale and exhale. After doing this a few times with the mouth open, close the mouth on the exhale and continue to make the same sound with the mouth closed on the inhale and exhale.

It is particularly useful when encountering an asana that is initially difficult to achieve or somehow feels stressful to the body. We are clued into this by developing awareness to the sound, quality and depth of breath. We visualize in our minds breathing in and filling the area of the body that feels tight or weak with breath, expanding every cell to support, strengthen and sustain us in the pose.

What is vinyasa yoga?
Vinyasa yoga is a form of hatha yoga that incorporates the breath with each movement as you transition from one asana(pose) to another . It is referred to as a flowing form of yoga asana practice. It is one of the most popular practices of yoga today in the United States.

What are the benefits of yoga?
The benefits of yoga depend on consistency and how often you practice.

1-2 classes per week: Reduced stress, modest improvement in flexibility and balance, modest improvement in breathing, modest postural improvement, better sleep, safe exploration of recent injuries.

3-4 classes per week: All of the above plus significant increase in strength, flexibility and balance, increased energy, better posture, improved circulation and skin, improved breathing,mood, attention, concentration, memory and over all sense of well-being.

5 classes per week: All the above plus great endurance and energy, total body awareness and reintegration, profoundly enhanced mental clarity, awareness, emotional stability and sense of well-being.

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