What kind of yoga is this anyway?

It is confusing for the beginnerbecause there are so many names before yoga that it is difficult for aperson to understand what they are getting into. The main word is yoga: tounite. There can be different paths to this union. In our culture wherewe have lost touch with the physical body except when we need to drag it toa doctor, or when we ignore aches and pains, we need a physical path tobring us in touch with the body as a temple of the spirit. Hatha(pronounced hat-ha) is the physical branch of union, and merely thematerial part of what yoga as union is about. In YSK classes you willlearn to breathe, stretch, strengthen, balance, harmonize and heal thephysical branch of mind-spirit. As this takes place, we explore theawakening on deeper layers of being. Often referred to as raja, whichbrings us to study, discipline, quieting of the mind, and meditation. Noneof this is complete without a balance of humor and fun. Laughter is thebest medicine and the greatest healer.

Hatha is an interesting word because it means force and sun-moon,balance. The force part is about that part of ourselves that we have todrag to an exercise class. The balance is what we feel when we do the hardwork and exercise the discipline to become healthier in every way, body,mind and spirit. Hatha yoga develops the natural intelligence of the body.Yoga postures prepare us for the mental and spiritual work.

Hatha yoga is gentle, healing and fun. It allows the body to befree. This translates correspondingly to the mind-spirit. When we aremore free, we are free to explore ourselves on very deep and profoundlevels. Hatha yoga is about self-realization by means of perfecting thebody. This self-realization is not separate from the mind and spirit; butone movement. Raja yoga is the part of the practice involving meditation,and awakening. I don't like to separate yoga into this and that. It isjust Yoga to me, which incorporates the whole, which the name suggests.

-Lu