FAQs
What is yoga?
Thousands of books many hundreds of pages long have been
written to try to answer this question. So, very briefly,
it is the merging of the individual soul (awareness) with
the universal soul (consciousness or awareness). What this
means on a practical level is a discipline that inquires
into the nature of body, mind, breath and the relationships
within them. It is a wisdom tradition that seeks to find
the precise harmony of parts to whole, whether that is
through meditation, physical movement, breath work, self-investigation,
chanting and deep relaxation.
Yoga is a vast discipline.
Here at the Saraswati River Yoga School, we offer
the full teachings and practice of yoga. Every part is
intrinsic
to the whole and over a period of time the student
is introduced to all the areas of yoga practice.
What should I look for in a yoga teacher?
A yoga teacher must be well trained, mostly through their
direct experience. And a yoga teacher goes through
the discipline of learning anatomy, physiology, alignment
and form, asana,
adjustments, sequencing, yoga philosophy and the
vast subjects covered by the yoga scriptures.
Obviously,
such thorough
training requires dedication and discipline.
All SRYS teachers are thoroughly trained and have devoted
many years, most
of them devoting a lifetime, to this discipline.
This is not a trend that we are jumping aboard. All
teachers
here
have gone through a rigorous training and continue
their training every day. You can rest assured that
you are in
the best hands here and anywhere that there is
a SRYS teacher.
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What can I expect in a class?
All
asana classes (the ones on the schedules that are labeled
by Levels 1-4) will have chanting,
breathing, asana practice
with hands on assists, and deep relaxation.
The class may also include meditation and more
varied breath work. The
class will also cover a pose and subject
of the
month. ‘Pose
of the Month’ allows a deeper experience
of an asana so that over time the student
has in-depth experience of
the basic 84 asanas.
Every class will have a sequence that
addresses the full body, highlighting one particular
pose. There is also a subject of the month that allows
the teachers
to bring in aspects of the yoga practice that
don’t
readily lend themselves to a classroom setting. These are
teachings from the world’s wisdom traditions or related
topics and practices. Students tell us that this is the aspect
they like the best about SRYS classes!
Meditation classes
cover the how to and the whys with practical
step-by-step instruction for meditation (except for Tuesday
night meditation
that is for advanced students and does not
give step-by-step instructions but includes satsang (see
below for description)).
Meditation classes do not include asana practice
but may include breath work and deep relaxation. The special
pre-registered
classes have descriptions on their registration
forms.
What should I wear and bring to a class?
Wear loose comfortable layers of clothes. Many people like
to wear tighter stretchy clothes as you might for physical
exercise. It is nice to have a shawl and cushion for mediation.
Blankets, mats and cushions are available for use at the
center. It is nice for hygiene purpose and to build the energy
to have your own yoga mat, shawl and mediation cushion. Pre-registered
classes and workshops may require other items that will be
listed on the registration sheet.
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How
do I get information on classes and events?
Call
215-862-4520. The information on classes and teachers
is updated each day, as are cancellations and special
events. If there is a change in the schedule, due to
inclement
weather or for any other reason, the Yoga Hotline is
your best source for accurate updated information. Also,
sign
up on our mailing list and our e-mailing list.
What other services are available at the center?
All
services at SRYS are part of the mission of yoga as
sanctuary. SRYS is a resource for individuals, families
and communities. It is a resource for yoga, meditation
and any service that promotes ecological awareness
and
community harmony. You will find childcare based on
teachings of Maria Montessori (who studied yoga and
Indian culture),
and a boutique that works with ethical and ecologically
minded distributors. In the boutique you will find
yoga supplies and hard to find items from India and
abroad.
There are also books, CDs, incense, puja supplies,
shawls, mediation cushions, yoga mats and many more
items. Massage,
Reflexology, Ayurvedic consultations and treatments
are also available. We have massage therapists at the
center.
SRYS is also pleased to have an Ayurvedic doctor available
offering consultations and therapeutic treatments.
Is this a religion or institution
or something that I join? Do I have to change my beliefs
and
affiliations?
Yoga is not a religion but many
people find that their current religious feelings and practices
deepen
through
yoga practice. SRYS honors the ancient wisdom traditions
and does not promote the institutionalizing of ideas.
Yoga is a practice of discovering the self and losing
identities,
not gaining more identities. There are no beliefs
you must ascribe to or anything you must affiliate yourself
with.
Yoga is the practice for one who wants to do more
than
get by, one who wants to thrive. This, ultimately,
is about serving truth, and truth is not about ideologies
and organizations.
Yoga is not a religion or organization. You will
not be asked to join anything or to donate any money.
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Why do you chant in class?
Chanting is an integral part of the yoga practice.
Nothing attunes body, mind and breath like sound
pulsation. We
all desire a sound body and mind and what could create
that better than sound itself? Nothing affects consciousness
as much as sound. Whether it is the sound of our
thoughts or of words and communication.
Sound has a large
effect
on the layers of the mind. It is obvious that certain
sounds are soothing, while others are disturbing.
The atmosphere
of places has much to do with the sounds that are
present, from the external sounds to the internal sound
pulsation
of intentions and thoughts. We all are quite sensitive
to the effects of different atmospheres. Chanting
allows us to positively affect our internal atmosphere.
The
yogis have used sound for thousands of years to
affect actual
physical functioning of brain, heart, and blood
pressure as well as to affect change in the deepest regions
of our consciousness.
Modern research is discovering
the same
powerful truth. Chanting, practiced regularly,
will
help improve functioning on many levels, from
the regulation of breath to cultivation of a lack of self-
consciousness.
The chants that are used are deliberately chosen,
and matched
to the energy and level of class to positively
create an inner and outer atmosphere conducive to yoga
practice.
Chanting ultimately becomes another way to perfect
the
relationship of life.
To chant is to express
praise, show gratitude and generate the inherent joy that
as human beings
we are born into. To chant is to be enchanted.
What is Satsang?
Satsang literally means to keep company with the
truth. It is a support for the yoga practice.
As you experience
the transformation of yoga, many questions
arise. Satsang is an opportunity to ask questions, engage
in a dialogue
with like-minded people and discover answers.
Satsang is an important part of this practice as it
allows
you to
communicate with others that are experiencing
the
same things.
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What is the best way
to deepen my practice? I just started the yoga
practice and I love it. I want to know more. What can
I do?
To deepen your practice, start a meditation practice or
treat yourself to a One on One session in class. Learning
the language of yoga deepens the understanding and experience
tremendously. Taking a retreat, with a group or by yourself,
is a wonderful way to usher in a new level. Changing your
diet to a yogic vegetarian diet allows the body to be more
flexible and takes a tremendous stress off of the environment.
The heart opens more as we view
animals as sentient beings rather than as food. Wonderful
books and tapes are available
in our boutique that can expand and expound a deeper
level of understanding. Many of the pre-registered workshops
are designed to expand your experience and appreciation
of the vast discipline of yoga.
What kind of yoga is this?
This is
actually a difficult question to answer because we have created
so many categories of yoga - within
the categories and divisions there are brand names
and styles
that are fusions and hybrids. As well, people do
not agree on the divisions and distinctions. So often
the
same names
and terms are used differently. The practice and
teachings here are a combination of Hatha and Raja yoga
in a
larger background of classical Ashtanga yoga. You will
find elements
of bhakti and jnana yoga as well. The physical practice
is taught in the flowing vinyasa style combining
elements of the Iyengar and Ashtanga brand name styles.
Basically,
you will find physical postures linked smoothly
and inspired by breath. The postures are taught in the
context of the
eight limbs of yoga (Ashtanga or classical yoga).
Meditation, philosophy and chanting are included. We
respectfully
put all of that into the statement that this is in
the tradition
of the Saraswati River Yoga Tradition. The Saraswati
River Valley was the original settlement and dissemination
of
the yogic wisdom. From that river valley settlement
and that lineage of sages comes the roots of all
wisdom traditions.
And while this may be historically controversial,
it is definitely to this symbol of the underground
river of wisdom,
bliss and creativity from which we draw our inspiration
and thereby our experiences.
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Will I lose weight by practicing yoga?
You might lose weight. Yoga brings the body to a
natural state restoring proper and optimal functioning
of the
systems of the body. This can result in weight
loss. Most importantly,
yoga reclaims your natural and ideal weight when
combined with a sensible diet. The physical practice
tones muscles
and organs and the outer structure of the body
is noticeably benefited. Body image and esteem are
changed
through
the practice as we see ourselves as we really are.
Any weight
loss or gain (as that is appropriate for some people)
is a nice by-product of a discipline that is designed
to improve
your quality of life.
How many classes should I take per week?
The simple answer is as many as your life
will allow! Know that you really need to take more than
one each week.
Taking 2-3 classes per week is ideal. Some people are
able to
take 4 or more which has an amazing effect on body,
mind and beyond. The asana practice is different than other
physical exercise and you do not have to take a day
off
as you might with weight training.
Resting your muscles
and taking breaks periodically is always advisable,
but you could safely do a light to moderate practice 7
days
a week. With a very intense practice, 6 times a week
is the maximum. Choose to rest every now and then, if
you have a steady intense practice, on a new or full moon.
Know that the asana practice is compatible with all
types
of exercise and actitivities. If you like to, you can
lift
weights, run, swim, horseback ride etc. However, you
will find that other types of exercise are not necessary.
Yoga
is a cardiovascular exercise.
Beginning students will
find it relatively easy to raise their heart rate, and
certain
classes will continue to take the heart rate to an
aerobic level. Weight loss aside, reaching an aerobic level
is
necessary for a healthy heart. Advanced students (that
no longer raise their heart rate in class) and students
in non-aerobic style classes will still receive a full
cardiovascular regimen for their heart through the
yoga asanas, particularly shoulderstand. You may supplement
with other activities but is completely unnecessary.
Yoga is truly a complete discipline for
your whole body, mind
and life. Try supplementing your practice by taking
a
yoga class that doesn’t actively engage the body,
like a philosophy, meditation, mantra, sacred drawing
or creative
writing class.
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