How is a Yoga Class Conducted?
What we commonly call yoga, it is the practice of yoga postures i.e. the physical component of yoga, with some other complementary elements such as mantras, meditation, breathing exercises and relaxation. Chances are that in a first session of yoga, you we find a similar to what is described below. It is important to note, however, that each style of yoga, every contemporary mainstream or traditional school, has its own methodology, rooted in ancient yogic tradition, but has evolved into a wide variety of practices.
We do not need to know the tradition of yoga to approach its spirit. Just relax, make use of your intuition, attach with the environment and follow instructions. Remember that some of the principles to be followed in yoga classes are meditative exercise, silence, deep breathing and conscious in coordination with the exercises, positive thinking, acceptance of your own body and abilities.
To learn a way together and have a solid foundation from the beginning, it is preferable to choose for the first time an introductory class and you do it with a qualified teacher like experts at top yoga teacher training Rishikesh who will give you precise guidance. If you want more information about where these techniques are taught, we suggest that you consult a little about the principles and rules of coexistence in schools of yoga, so that you can approach with greater confidence and knowing in advance how to prepare and succeed in yogi world.
Start of Yoga Class
When you get to a yoga class, you will see that each person begins inside work in meditation position or lying in relaxation position. You do not have to master the lotus position in the least to meditate. The meditation simply requires a comfortable posture and the spine is straight. You can use a cushion to help you keep your back straight. Close your eyes, focus on your breathing.
Each yoga practice can vary considerably depending on the style, but a fairly widespread one is to start each class with mantras, the sounds with high vibration and songs that help focus and make the transition from the outside world to the inside. The yoga teachers explain about the development of class and sense of method they are going to undertake. Some yoga teachers talk about the philosophy behind the practice of yoga, and some schools will encourage you to put intention to class and connect their teachings to other aspects of your life.
Postures and Breathing
Some centers, particularly the classical schools, do breathing exercises to begin. The aim of these exercises is to focus and calm the mind, oxygenate and cleanse the body, give you energy and lift your spirits.
However, most styles pass directly to physical work which is based on a series of asanas. In the introductory classes, the yoga teacher will show you how to do each posture or you can look to someone else to get an idea and a good teacher should be alert to help and correct you. Follow the given instructions and ask for help if needed, but usually the instructor will be looking for new students and open a space for more elaborate comments and questions at the end.
Breathing
Proper breathing is mentioned as one of the five points of yoga according to Swami Vishnudevananda and it refers to pranayama exercises and full breath, the conscious, slow and deep breathing, which uses the lungs to their full capacity. The complete breath is our natural breathing and fills us with vitality and help to be calmer and open mind.
Pranayama exercises are practiced in Sivananda yoga school and other traditions of yoga for various purposes including clarifying and calming the mind, reducing stress and tension in the body, increasing energy and preventing diseases. Basic pranayama exercises that are included in the daily practice are Kapalabhati and Anuloma Viloma. The emphasis on breathing is linked to the more traditional yogic science, because through breathing control the flow of prana, the main vital energy, which controls the mind and is a gateway to higher states of consciousness.
Relaxation
Each practice of yoga postures should conclude with relaxation. In addition to this, relaxation is a practice in itself to the tradition of yoga. This relaxation is mental, physical and spiritual. Relaxation exercises are incorporated into practice because they reestablish the nervous system and help prevent anxiety, fatigue and overwhelm the outside world. Many times, our body consumes all your energy into some negative episode we face during the day and feel totally exhausted. This may even result in body aches and long-term diseases.
Relaxation restores us and also yoga reprograms us so that we can react more calmly to the difficulties so that we do not hurt ourselves with episodes of anger or anxiety. Relaxation recharges the body of vitality and reduces energy consumption, which is triggered by overstimulation of the senses, tension, moodiness and concerns. This reduction in energy consumption in the body and mental speech promotes natural healing powers of the body.
Diet
Diet is one of the emphasized points in yoga, and also in the system developed by Swami Vishnudevananda. It highlights the great influence that diet has on our body, mind and spirit. Food, their quality and their nature have an impact on our thoughts and our emotional stability. It is also a fundamental aspect in relation to what happens in our body largely determines our energy levels, nutrients we get, the cleansing of the body and, in general terms, our health. The diet suggested in yoga is natural, simple, easy to digest and rich in nutrients. It starts from the basis that foods should be plant-based.
It is the reason yogis are vegetarians because food must respect the principle of ahimsa which is another reason to avoid eating animal flesh. The meat also has a negative effect on our mind, because it stimulates negatively and makes us more prone to emotional instability. This is part of yogic diet is satvic i.e. they are foods that lead to inner peace and avoid over-stimulation, and subtract energy to the body elements. Some of these restrictions are meats, eggs, onion, garlic, sugar, tea or coffee and alcohol.
Meditation and Positive Thinking
In traditional yoga, meditation relates to our own mind which is the central practice. Arguably all practices mentioned above lead us to have a deeper meditation. Meditation is a way of self-knowledge and to calm the mind for creating space to act objectively and not reacting to create a distance with our thoughts, which usually generate limitations and unhappiness. Spiritual progress is also achieved through meditation.
Meditation is also the most important part of raja yoga and hatha yoga. Through practicing meditation daily, we enter the state of stillness and find greater calmness and wellbeing and we can see our true essence, the inner self. Meditation also helps improve the quality of life, natural healing processes of the body and stress management.
Meditation is a way through which we also reflect on our lives and decide to incorporate spiritual values. We also change patterns of negative thoughts with positive thoughts. For yoga, thoughts have energy and generate an impact in ourselves, in our body, in our own lives and the environment. Positive thinking heals and increases our vibration.
I recommend you to join yoga training Rishikesh India where you can learn all the essential points of yoga and incorporate them in your lifestyle.