What is Yoga?
Yoga originated in India over 6,000 years ago. The word yoga in Sanskrit (the ancient language of India) translates as “yoke” or “union,” of the mind and body to create a deeper connection with one’s own pure, essential nature. Yoga is not just about physical poses as is often depicted in the media. Yoga is a holistic practice that focuses on all aspects of the human being. The power of yoga lies in the fact that it deals with growth—physical and personal. In order to achieve this, a holistic practice of yoga covers physical poses, breathing practices, relaxation, and meditation. Yoga is energizing without being fatiguing and refreshing without being draining.
Yoga is for everyone
Yoga is not just for the young, for the physically fit or for the super flexible. It is not necessary to do advanced physical poses to attain the benefits of yoga. And anybody, whether rich or poor, can do yoga. A few basic modifications can make its gifts--flexibility, balance, strength, stress reduction, and increased awareness--accessible to everybody. Yoga is for everybody.
Is Yoga a religion?
Because yoga was developed in Hindu India, some people think it is a religion. In fact, a person who practices yoga can belong to any religion or none at all. Yoga practitioners, also known as Yogis, form their unique personal relationship with their understanding of the universe. Yoga is inclusive.
Yoga for children with special needs
More and more research and studies are pointing to the effectiveness of Yoga with children with special needs, especially ones with ADD and ADHD and developmental disorders like autism and Asperger’s. I have personally seen the benefits of teaching Yoga (physical poses, breathing practices, and deep relaxation) to my children at Rivermont School, where I provide individual and group psychotherapy to children and adolescents with severe emotional, behavioral, and developmental disorders.
After just four months of bi-weekly Yoga classes, my students showed a great improvement in their behaviors and in their respect for themselves and others. They appeared calmer, more confident, more playful and more joyous. They also demonstrated better impulse control and increased attentiveness. Most of all I have seen glimpses of hope, peace and contentment in their lives.
Benefits of a Sustained Practice of Yoga
• Yoga increases overall fitness through increased flexibility, muscle strength and endurance.
• Yoga decreases blood pressure, heart rate, and stress.
• Yoga helps you to develop a greater connection with yourself and others.
In the words of Yoga guru B.K.S. Iyengar, “The primary aim of yoga is to restore the mind to simplicity and peace, to free it from confusion and distress. This sense of calm comes from the practice of yoga…….Unlike other forms of exercise which strain muscles and bones, yoga gently rejuvenates the body. By restoring the body, Yoga frees the mind from the negative feelings caused by the fast pace of modern life.” Thus yoga not only promotes youth and vitality through a healthy body, but also creates peace and contentment.
SHALIRAM YOGA STUDIO
Besides teaching yoga at work and in the community, I also teach weekly classes from my Yoga studio in Forest, VA, named "SHALIRAM." I have named my studio after my mother Shalini and my father Ramachandra to honor them for giving me love, encouragement, and numerous opportunities, despite limited resources.
I have the unique blend of being a psychotherapist and a Yoga teacher. As a psychotherapist I bring a caring, sensitive perspective to my Yoga teaching. And as a Yoga teacher I am more aware of the importance of mind-body wellness in psychotherapy. My teaching style is warm, engaging, affirming, gentle, flexible, and inclusive. My personal belief is that I know very little about the expansive science of yoga. I find this realization very humbling. A life-long learner, I am dedicated to continue my professional advancement in Yoga.
SHALIRAM STUDIO CLASSES
The classes at ShaliramYoga studio are for children and adults of all levels of flexibility, different body shapes, and different views about the universe. My Yoga classes will focus on physical poses, calming breathing practices, and deep relaxation for the total wellbeing of the participant.
Hatha Yoga
I offer both individual and group Hatha Yoga classes, which will focus on a variety of physical poses (standing, sitting, supine, and balancing) breathing practices, and centering meditation. Group classes in my studio are small with six to eight people, allowing for personal attention and a relaxing learning environment. My classes are multilevel and include poses ranging from beginner to more advanced. Each pose can be adopted to your comfort level. Students of all fitness levels are welcome to my classes. I promise to take care of you and will do my best to make you feel comfortable.
Relaxation/Positive Visualization /Meditation Classes
Relaxation and positive visualization and meditation are extremely soothing to the body, mind, and spirit and help us connect with ourselves and the universe. These classes are for all, but especially ideal for those who are unable to do physical poses.
Here is a brief description of the classes I offer:
• Progressive muscular relaxation and controlled breathing help relieve tension and stress. Guided imagery encourages people to experience internal harmony, to heal emotional and physical upsets, to increase body awareness, enhance relaxation, to receive direction from their own inner teacher.
• Through techniques, such as specific postures, focused attention, and an open attitude towards distractions, meditation increases calmness and overall wellness. Some people think that meditation is exclusively a religious practice. In fact meditation is any practice where you can be mindful of the present moment and therefore not be distracted by extraneous thoughts and worries. Any practice that allows us to be in the present can be meditative. For instance, meditation can be done while doing the dishes, walking, dancing, hiking, cooking, gardening, or playing the piano. Meditation can be practiced by observing one’s breath, by thinking of a loved one or a valued object, or by focusing on positive affirmations.
If you are interested in signing up for classes in Shaliram Yoga Studio or if you would like to arrange for a Yoga class in the community or at a work setting, please contact me at sdpsy@verizon.net.
“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Where mind-body wellness matters
