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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 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 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) and 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.  It 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 to 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.  Art of Living, known as AOL, 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.  Experiences of some Bakersfield residents are testimonials of yoga’s healing powers.  Garry Langhans enjoys golf.  But intermittent muscle spasms in his lower back became very annoying.  He was introduced to yoga at Inner Body Works through a friend.  His overall wellbeing improved after he started practicing yoga.  He also had trouble falling and staying asleep.  “I noticed within 2 or 3 weeks (of practicing yoga) that I was sleeping better.  Physically I would just feel better and mentally I felt calmer and more relaxed” said Langhans, who has been practicing yoga for more than two years.  “I can no longer imagine life without a yoga practice.”

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 Busch on yoga’s overall benefit on the body and the mind.

Michael Ault, Associate Professor of Political Science at California State University Bakersfield considers yoga as a fulfilling experience.  He was introduced to yoga by his mother who was a yoga instructor in the Los Angeles area.  He practiced Hatha yoga, meditation and pranayama since his childhood.  As an avid marathon runner Ault used to detach his mind from the body to ignore pain and push the endurance to the limits.  After he was introduced to ashtanga yoga about six years ago the wholeness of being fit became clearer and he eventually gave up marathon runs for yoga.  He found ashtanga yoga as a complete practice that brought together all elements of fitness – rigorousness, meditation and breathing – that he had been looking for.  “The intensity is fascinating.  It is an intense yet grounding and relaxing experience” said Ault, who spends a few months every year at a premier center in the southern Indian state of Karnataka.  “Yoga is very essential in the contemporary American society” said Ault commenting on how we are affected by traumatic medical and crime based shows that dominate primetime television.

Jay Borton, an officer with Bakersfield Police Department, has been practicing yoga for two years.  “Yoga helped me to concentrate more on the tasks while staying relaxed” said Borton, who started yoga for stress relief.  “It really helps you to stay in shape” he added about the benefits of yoga.  “It is a great physical as well as mental exercise.”

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 to learn to focus.  Adults learn to be calmer and less stressed, said Wood who designed yoga classes for infants to senior citizens.  People usually come for physical betterment and realize the mental benefits, said Busch who authored ‘A Clear and Definite Path’, a book about enlightenment and health. 

“If you can breathe, you can practice yoga.” said 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.

"I have practiced yoga with devotion for the past six years.  Early in my life I had dabbled but had not committed to a consistent practice.  As for what interested me initially in yoga, I think it was the nagging internal quest for something more.  By something more I mean a sense of connection from the internal life to the external world.  Some people find that through the practice of a religious philosophy or in some other way.  But I think, depite having my share of good friends and strong family relationships, I felt a lot of fear and disconnect.  I believe that practicing yoga has helped me gain a perspective on life that I may otherwise not have achieved.  It's a continuing evolution that demands an honest surveillance of the internal landscape and an effort not to attach oneself too much to the outcome of effort.  I think that practicing yoga has also helped me become less judgmental of others and that's a good thing because I tend to have a fairly active, critical mind unless I'm blissed out from practicing yoga.  And then there are the physical benefits.  I find that the physical aspects of yoga keep the body toned, supple, extremely flexible, strong and balanced.  I've noticed tremendous improvement in my posture and energetic openings.  It would take me hours to elaborate on the physical manifestations of balancing different chakra centers.  I feel clearer about who I am and feel more perceptive about other people and all relationships.  As far as a particular health problem, I used to suffer chronic neck pain and that's no longer a problem.  I attribute this to yoga's effect of realigning the body through flextion and extention of the spine." - Jill White, Bakersfield resident