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1. What is yoga?
The word yoga, from the Sanskrit word yuj means to yoke or bind and is often
interpreted as "union" or a method of discipline. A male who practices yoga is called
a yogi, a female practitioner, a yogini.The Indian sage Patanjali is believed to have
collated the practice of yoga into the Yoga Sutra an estimated 2,000 years ago. The
Sutra is a collection of 195 statements that serves as a philosophical guidebook for
most of the yoga that is practiced today. It also outlines eight limbs of yoga: the
yamas (restraints), niyamas (observances), asana (postures), pranayama (breathing),
pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), dharana (concentration), dhyani (meditation), and
samadhi (absorption). As we explore these eight limbs, we begin by refining our
behavior in the outer world, and then we focus inwardly until we reach samadhi
(liberation, enlightenment).Today most people practicing yoga are engaged in the
third limb, asana, which is a program of physical postures designed to purify the
body and provide the physical strength and stamina required for long periods of
meditation.

2. What does Hatha mean?
The word hatha means willful or forceful. Hatha yoga refers to a set of physical
exercises (known as asanas or postures), and sequences of asanas, designed to align
your skin, muscles, and bones. The postures are also designed to open the many
channels of the body; especially the main channel, the spine; so that energy can flow
freely. Hatha is also translated as ha meaning "sun" and tha meaning "moon". This
refers to the balance of masculine aspects; active, hot, sun; and feminine
aspects;receptive, cool, moon;within all of us. Hatha yoga is a path toward creating
balance and uniting opposites. In our physical bodies we develop a balance of
strength and flexibility. We also learn to balance our effort and surrender in each
pose.Hatha yoga is a powerful tool for self-transformation. It asks us to bring our
attention to our breath, which helps us to still the fluctuations of the mind and be
more present in the unfolding of each moment.

3. What does Om mean?
Om is a mantra, or vibration, that is traditionally chanted at the beginning and end of
yoga sessions. It is said to be the sound of the universe. What does that
mean?Somehow the ancient yogis knew what scientists today are telling us; that the
entire universe is moving. Nothing is ever solid or still. Everything that exists
pulsates, creating a rhythmic vibration that the ancient yogis acknowledged with the
sound of Om. We may not always be aware of this sound in our daily lives, but we
can hear it in the rustling of the autumn leaves, the waves on the shore, the inside of
a seashell.Chanting Om allows us to recognize our experience as a reflection of how
the whole universe moves; the setting sun, the rising moon, the ebb and flow of the
tides, the beating of our hearts. As we chant Om, it takes us for a ride on this
universal movement, through our breath, our awareness, and our physical energy,
and we begin to sense a bigger connection that is both uplifting and soothing.

4. How many times per week should I practice?
Yoga is amazing; even if you only practice for one hour a week, you will experience
the benefits of the practice. If you can do more than that, you will certainly
experience more benefits. I suggest starting with two or three times a week, for an
hour or an hour and a half each time. If you can only do 20 minutes per session,
that's fine too. Don't let time constraints or unrealistic goals be an obstacle; do what
you can and don't worry about it. You will likely find that after awhile your desire to
practice expands naturally and you will find yourself doing more and more.

5. How is yoga different from stretching or other kinds of fitness?
Unlike stretching or fitness, yoga is more than just physical postures. Patanjali's eight-
fold path illustrates how the physical practice is just one aspect of yoga. Even within
the physical practice, yoga is unique because we connect the movement of the body
and the fluctuations of the mind to the rhythm of our breath. Connecting the mind,
body, and breath helps us to direct our attention inward. Through this process of
inward attention, we learn to recognize our habitual thought patterns without labeling
them, judging them, or trying to change them. We become more aware of our
experiences from moment to moment. The awareness that we cultivate is what
makes yoga a practice, rather than a task or a goal to be completed. Your body will
most likely become much more flexible by doing yoga, and so will your mind.

6. Is yoga a religion?
Yoga is not a religion. It is a philosophy that began in India an estimated 5,000 years
ago. The father of classical ashtanga yoga (the eight-limbed path, not to be confused
with Sri K. Pattabhi Jois' Ashtanga yoga) is said to be Patanjali, who wrote the Yoga
Sutra. These scriptures provide a framework for spiritual growth and mastery over
the physical and mental body. Yoga sometimes interweaves other philosophies such
as Hinduism or Buddhism, but it is not necessary to study those paths in order to
practice or study yoga.It is also not necessary to surrender your own religious
beliefs to practice yoga.

7. I'm not flexible; can I do yoga?
Yes! You are a perfect candidate for yoga. Many people think that they need to be
flexible to begin yoga, but that's a little bit like thinking that you need to be able to
play tennis in order to take tennis lessons. Come as you are and you will find that
yoga practice will help you become more flexible.This newfound agility will be
balanced by strength, coordination, and enhanced cardiovascular health, as well as a
sense of physical confidence and overall well-being.

8. What do I need to begin?
All you really need to begin practicing yoga is your body, your mind, and a bit of
curiosity. But it is also helpful to have a pair of sweat pants, leggings, or shorts, and
a t-shirt that's not too baggy. No special footgear is required because you will be
barefoot. It's nice to bring a towel to class with you. As your practice develops you
might want to buy your own yoga mat, but most studios will have mats and other
props available for you.

9. Why are you supposed to refrain from eating two to three hours before
class?
In yoga practice we twist from side to side, turn upside down, and bend forward
and backward. If you have not fully digested your last meal, it will make itself
known to you in ways that are not comfortable. If you are a person with a
fast-acting digestive system and are afraid you might get hungry or feel weak during
yoga class, experiment with a light snack such as yogurt, a few nuts, or juice about
30 minutes to an hour before class.