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Yoga, a widely popular phenomenon, doesn’t need any introduction. But what is it exactly?

Some think of it as a kind of exercise. Some think it is sitting, standing and lying down in unusual poses. Some think of it as a spiritual and relaxing experience. Some think it is meditation and others think it is a breathing exercise.

They all are right. Yoga is an ancient Indian discipline that incorporates physical, mental and breathing exercises to free the self from the body and mind to achieve spiritual tranquility. Yoga, which means ‘union’ in Sanskrit, also represents the union between self consciousness and the universal consciousness. But it is not a religion. People from any religious faith can practice yoga to achieve control over their mind and body. That is one of the reasons it is so popular.

Yoga is believed to have originated in India more than 5,000 years ago.  But the first record of yoga, written by Sage Patanjali, who codified yoga in 196 aphorisms, dates back to around the 5^th to 3^rd century BC, said Rajvi of Mumbai, India, who is a student of the legendary B.K.S. Iyengar.

In this text, known as Yoga Darshana (Manual of Yoga), Patanjali referred to the ashtanga (8 aspects) of yoga, which are:

• yama (moral discipline)

• niyama (social discipline)

• asana (aligning and realigning the body in various positions)

• pranayama (modulations of the breath)

• pratayahara (regulation and withdrawal of senses of perception)

• dharana (concentration)

• dhyana (meditation)

• samadhi (the ultimate state of bliss)

Just like in any other discipline, different forms of yoga came into existence. Some of them include Ashtanga yoga, Hatha yoga, Kundalini yoga, Kripalu yoga, Vini yoga, Jnana yoga, Raja yoga, Bhakti yoga, Karma yoga and Mantra yoga, in a long list of yoga forms practiced around the world. Iyengar yoga, Sivananda yoga, Bikram yoga and Sri Sri yoga are some of the styles named after the teachers who developed them.

By adding their wisdom and technique to traditional yoga, these teachers create a unique style that has a specific way of achieving the benefits of yoga. For example, Iyengar Yoga focuses on the pose and breathing aspects to experience the other six aspects of yoga. There is a lot of emphasis on precision and detail in guruji’s style, said Rajvi, who is also the editor of an international quarterly Yoga Rahasya (Secrets of Yoga).  The octogenarian B.K.S. Iyengar, one of the most respected yoga teachers with more than 1500 yoga centers in the world, uses various props in his yoga making it possible for everyone to perform asanas.

Unlike the modern exercise systems like Pilates or Tae Bo that focus on a workout for physical fitness, yoga harmonizes your mind, body and soul.  While a workout leaves you tired and drained of energy, when done correctly, a yoga session actually relaxes and makes you feel energized as it helps you focus on yourself. Yoga activities like bending and stretching massage and work up the internal organs and immune system, which may not be possible with other styles of fitness exercises.

“Yoga is a complete form of taking care of a person as far as I can imagine. It is universal spirituality,” said Fred Busch who runs Miami Yogashala, a premier yoga studio in Miami area. 

Yoga adds flexibility and strength to your body. It is a system that revitalizes your mind. When your mind and body have a perfect balance it opens up the doors for inner peace and lifts up your spirits. It helps you to know yourself.

“The most striking aspect of yoga is how the practice applies to my everyday life. It helps me to stay present and embrace the moment while being true to myself and taking care of myself,” said Kelly Wood of Karuna Yoga in Los Angeles.

Similar views were expressed by Judy Garrett, who offers yoga classes at the Greenacres Community Center in Bakersfield.

“Practicing yoga helped me to remain clam and added clarity to my thinking.  t gives a better perspective of what life throws at you,” said Garrett, who moved to Bakersfield from Scotland, UK. Garrett is certified by the British Wheel of Yoga.

“Yoga increases the awareness of our breathing pattern. Most of us have a shallow breath (14-20 inhalations and exhalations per minute). Practicing yogic breathing improves our breathing and brings it to a normal pattern of 8-10 or fewer breaths per minute,” said Dhaval Buch, a physical therapist who specializes in using yoga, manual therapy and Reiki at his private practice at AUM Physical Therapy and Yoga Center in Bakersfield.

Leonard Bacon, professor of accounting at CSUB, frequents the yoga and meditation classes offered at the Bakersfield Chinmaya Mission.

“Breathing exercises are very good for getting into the mood to meditate,” said Dr. Bacon, who facilitates Christian Meditation at St. Phillip’s Church in Bakersfield.

“Breathing technique is the cornerstone of Art of Living,” said Sunanda Gadagottu of San Jose. Art of Living, founded by Sri Sri Ravisankar of India in 1982, is supposed to be the largest non-governmental organization in the world, which promotes holistic living through yoga, breathing, meditation, social service and fellowship. Known as AOL, it has an estimated membership of 20 million people in 150 countries around the world.

“Breathing links your body with the mind. This helps us to navigate through our lives in a more joyful way,” said Gadagottu, who teaches AOL in the Bay area.

Another advantage of practicing yoga is its ability to heal the body and the mind. Some of the ailments that can benefit from yoga are asthma and other respiratory problems, arthritis, back pain, blood pressure, diabetes, sleep disorders and stress.

The recent experience of Chelsea Friedman, a Bakersfield resident, is a testimony of yoga’s healing power. Friedman, a 29-year-old mother and a teacher, suffered from a transient ischemic attack (TIA) about three months ago. TIA, also known as ‘warning stroke’ or ‘mini-stroke’ is caused by the interruption of the blood supply to a part of the brain and produces symptoms similar to that of a stroke. Friedman’s right side of her body was affected by TIA and she was in extreme pain in her neck and the lower back.

After her discharge from the hospital, she went for physical therapy to Buch, who suggested she try yoga after initial treatment with various manual therapy techniques for successful pain reduction. Friedman, who experienced slow healing of bodily injuries since her childhood, was skeptical about yoga at first. But within two weeks of trying out the yoga techniques she started to feel better.

“The fact that I am able to do yoga by myself at home boosted my self confidence, which had been a major hurdle,” said Friedman. “I still have long ways to go. But I no longer worry about getting there. Yoga helped my psyche and that in turn eased my pain. My friends and family also have noticed a big difference in me. Yoga has become a part of my life and I didn’t have to do anything major to accommodate it.”

Mental strength is the major benefit that yoga practitioners realize. “People initially come here for physical fitness and then start noticing the mental benefits,” said Miami's Busch on yoga’s overall benefit on the body and the mind. He is the author of  "A Clear and Definite Path," a book about enlightenment and health.

Being an all-in-one system is what most people like about yoga. It is also suited for people in different sizes, shapes and age groups. Yoga helps children learn to focus. Adults learn to be calmer and less stressed, said Wood, who has designed yoga classes for infants to senior citizens.

“If you can breathe, you can practice yoga,” said Bakersfield's Buch, who offers yoga classes for stress management and women’s health at his clinic. Buch also offers free yoga classes at Bakersfield Chinmaya Mission at 1723 Country Breeze Place every Tuesday.