Thoughts Before Seeking Yoga South Hills
Yoga South Hills brings this worldwide phenomenon as close to home as the local mall. Those who practice this physical art form do so from a wide variety of needs, sublime and worldly. While there has always been variety of approaches to the art, the needs of contemporary consumers have forced even newer forms to develop.
From time to time this creativity is driven as much by ego or profit-based needs as by subtler aspirations. No one can own "yoga" and make it into their personal brand name. But a yogin with some ability can modify several movements, reorganize them, and create a system that is entirely their property.
If one imagines Eastern meditation for a moment, the image is most likely going to be Hatha yoga. In this system the yogin moves, steadily and slowly, through one posture after another, and does so while engaged in specific breathing techniques. Anyone who suffers stress can easily imagine that just ten minutes of that would be relaxing.
The claims that are traditionally made for Hatha yoga include some that are much more exotic than stress relief. An adept master is said to have actually changed the destiny of his or her soul in the next life, or even left the wheel of reincarnation altogether. This is the highest of spiritual goals in Hinduism, and represents a very different sort of goal than just releasing tension with a good stretch.
More contemporary forms of the discipline might more closely resemble an aerobics class than our idea of Eastern spiritual wisdom techniques. Still, no matter how obscured by Hollywood kitsch, there will usually be a door to spiritual growth available to any who wish to walk through it. The only question is whether this is what one is seeking, or whether one's goals are more mundane.
Apparently small differences can be so important that they define entire styles of the discipline. Iyengar is distinct primarily in that it emphasizes movements that are maintained over long periods of time. Compared to other styles such as Hatha yoga, this means that the Iyengar yogin is more of a strength exercise than a flexibility exercise. Its mundane application is somewhat more often injury rehabilitation than stress relief.
One of the newer, trendier styles, Bikram, takes the muscular emphasis to new heights, and even advertises itself as a great way to lose weight. Its most unique characteristic is that it takes place inside a heated room, usually just over one hundred degrees. Supposedly, this incredible heat and humidity is an aid to everything from flexibility to more rarified goals like detoxification.
Ashtanga meanwhile might be described as Bikram without the heat. These styles can sometimes verge on mere aerobics, and given a particular teacher's emphasis it really might be indistinct from just another aerobics class. Be alert to "yoga" classes offered at fitness clubs, and ask questions about their purpose and authenticity of the teaching, if these are important to you. It is a good idea to visit a dedicated studio if one is seeking a full experience, both physical and spiritual, from yoga South Hills.
From time to time this creativity is driven as much by ego or profit-based needs as by subtler aspirations. No one can own "yoga" and make it into their personal brand name. But a yogin with some ability can modify several movements, reorganize them, and create a system that is entirely their property.
If one imagines Eastern meditation for a moment, the image is most likely going to be Hatha yoga. In this system the yogin moves, steadily and slowly, through one posture after another, and does so while engaged in specific breathing techniques. Anyone who suffers stress can easily imagine that just ten minutes of that would be relaxing.
The claims that are traditionally made for Hatha yoga include some that are much more exotic than stress relief. An adept master is said to have actually changed the destiny of his or her soul in the next life, or even left the wheel of reincarnation altogether. This is the highest of spiritual goals in Hinduism, and represents a very different sort of goal than just releasing tension with a good stretch.
More contemporary forms of the discipline might more closely resemble an aerobics class than our idea of Eastern spiritual wisdom techniques. Still, no matter how obscured by Hollywood kitsch, there will usually be a door to spiritual growth available to any who wish to walk through it. The only question is whether this is what one is seeking, or whether one's goals are more mundane.
Apparently small differences can be so important that they define entire styles of the discipline. Iyengar is distinct primarily in that it emphasizes movements that are maintained over long periods of time. Compared to other styles such as Hatha yoga, this means that the Iyengar yogin is more of a strength exercise than a flexibility exercise. Its mundane application is somewhat more often injury rehabilitation than stress relief.
One of the newer, trendier styles, Bikram, takes the muscular emphasis to new heights, and even advertises itself as a great way to lose weight. Its most unique characteristic is that it takes place inside a heated room, usually just over one hundred degrees. Supposedly, this incredible heat and humidity is an aid to everything from flexibility to more rarified goals like detoxification.
Ashtanga meanwhile might be described as Bikram without the heat. These styles can sometimes verge on mere aerobics, and given a particular teacher's emphasis it really might be indistinct from just another aerobics class. Be alert to "yoga" classes offered at fitness clubs, and ask questions about their purpose and authenticity of the teaching, if these are important to you. It is a good idea to visit a dedicated studio if one is seeking a full experience, both physical and spiritual, from yoga South Hills.
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If you are looking for classes on Yoga South Hills region, see www.yogainnovations.com. You will find yoga, pilates, and prenatal yoga at http://www.yogainnovations.com.
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