General Yoga Knowledge
Yoga History
​
The word "yoga" was first mentioned in the oldest sacred text known to man, the Rig Veda. The Vedas were a collection of sacred texts used by Brahmans, the Vedic Priests of Northern India some 5,000 years ago. The ancient yogic practices, were developed slowly over a long period of time by the Vedic Priests and Rishis (mystic seers) who documented their findings in another collection of more than 200 scriptures known as the Upanishads. The most historic of these yogic texts being the Bhagavad Gita, composed approx. 500BCE. These ancient texts teach us to internalize the ancient practices of sacrifice, to sacrifice the ego through self-knowledge, action (karma yoga) and wisdom (jnana yoga). The physical postures that we practice are only 1 of the 8 limbs of yoga, known as "asana." Keep reading to learn more about the 8 limbs of yoga and some common yoga terms you might hear in class!
​
Yoga Vocab
​
​​​
-
Vinyasa - "to place in a sacred way" or a method of yoga where movements form a flowing sequence in coordination with breath.
-
Namaste - A greeting of mutual respect
-
Savasana - "corpse pose" or final resting pose
-
Chaturanga - yoga push up
-
Om - The vibration of the universe
-
Shanti - "peace"
-
Asana - Sanskrit word for "seat" or pose. Our asana practice is the physical movement from pose to pose practiced on the mat.
-
Pranayama - Breath work
-
Yoga - "yoke" like that which binds the oxen in a field. Yoga is the union of breath and body, action and intention.
-
Mantra - The repetition of a sound, word, or short saying
-
Mudra - symbolic hand gesture
-
Sanskrit - The language used in yoga, originating from the sacred texts of the sage Patanjali
-
Power Yoga - Various spinoffs of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga used for exercise
​
​
Mantra
The repetition of a sound, word, or short saying used as a form of meditation.
Examples:
-
"I love you, I love you, I love you"
-
"Thank you, thank you, thank you"
-
"Om shanti shanti shanti, Om shanti, shanti, shanit"
-
"Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu"
-
Translation: May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and freedom for all. ​
-
-
"I am" Affirmations. I am: love, peace, serenity, strong, intelligent, able, compassionate, patient, kind, honest, authentic, brave, powerful, etc.
1. YAMAS
(Ethics)
-
Ahimsa: Non-harm
-
Satay: Truthfulness
-
Asteya: Non-stealing
-
Brahmacharya: Moderation
-
Aparigraha: Non-hoarding
4. Pranayama
(Breath control)
Breathing practices help us understand the mind, breath, emotion connection. The breath is our greatest tool and the many pranayama practices help us harness it's power.
​
6. Dharana
(Focus)
Intense concentration and attention on a single point. We may use an object, candle light, an energetic center in the body, or a repetitive sound such as a mantra or chant. Focus naturally leads to meditation.
2. NIYAMAS
(Observances)
-
Saucha: Cleanliness
-
Santosha: Contentment
-
Tapas: Self discipline
-
Svadhyaya: Self study
-
Isvara-pranidhana: Surrender
8 Limbs of Yoga
7. Dhyana
(Meditation)
Observation and reflection. Dropping all the efforts and letting go. De-concentration. Simply being without effort, distraction, or interruption.
3. Asana
(Postures)
Mindful positioning of the body, connecting mind and spirit to create strength, flexibility, balance, and focus.
5. Pratyahara
(Sensory withdrawal)
Quieting the senses. Turning our attention away from the external world of what we see, hear, think, and feel, and drawing the attention inward toward the universe within.
8. Samadhi
(Enlightenment)
Becoming One. Unity. Tranquility. Fulfillment. Spiritual illumination.
Peace.
The Living Yoga Story
When I was in high school there was this thing called "the senior dream". They told us to DREAM BIG, as we carefully considered our plans for the future. We were to write our dreams on little cloud shaped pieces of paper and proudly display them for the school to see.
At that point I was barely going to graduate. My life was a mess. I didn't know where I was going to live, much less have any kind of grand dream. I wasn't sure of much, but I knew that life was uncertain, I wanted to be my own boss, and that suffering was cyclical; hurt people, hurt people.
I sat staring at the blank piece of paper for quite some time, when I had an intuitive thought, "I could open a wellness center for local women and children who needed help." I had no idea what that looked like, or what it would take, but I knew there was a need and I had the desire to fill it. People need a safe place to heal, learn about themselves, and how to end their own cycles of suffering. I knew that if I put my mind to it, I could create that in some form.
A few months later I made a last-minute decision, took a scholarship opportunity in St. Louis, and totally forgot about that dream.
​
I thought surely a change of scenery would solve all my problems, but once again, there go I. The first real yoga class I ever attended was a free class offered in the campus rec hall. My best friend practically dragged me along with her. I was reluctant, but the magic of this practice immediately swept me off my feet. I left that first class feeling like something foreign had overtaken me. I experienced peace, quite possibly for the first time ever.
I got in my car, checked my phone, and that feeling disappeared. I spent a few more years spiritually bankrupt and suffering before I came crying back to the yoga mat seeking relief....and thank god, I found it!
​
Reading, researching, and seeking out model teachers, I soaked up as much as I possibly could, and in the spring of 2018 I completed my first Yoga Alliance Certified 200hr Yoga Teacher Training. Our teachers warned us of the hardships of opening a brick and mortar yoga studio. I listened, but I knew from the very beginning, that's what I wanted. I wanted to create a safe space for people to work on themselves and find relief and healing. The old dream I had conjured up sitting in the bleachers of my high school had resurfaced. I asked the Universe for a yoga studio, and it provided.
​
Today I am the proud owner of a small hot yoga studio in Davenport, IA where we offer affordable public yoga classes, guided meditation, and private lessons to practitioners of every level. What I love most about this practice is that it comes in so many different forms and variations. If you are alive and breathing, you can do yoga. It is truly a practice for all who are interested.
​
I believe Living Yoga was born from an old dream that has manifested into reality, into this yoga studio, this community, this safe space to come and heal.
​
So, welcome!
I'm happy you're here. The world could use a lot of healing right now, and that begins with you :)
