Yoga: Good for the Soul
Yoga was first introduced to America in the 19th century, but it wasn’t until the 1960s, when The Beatles’ George Harrison became fascinated with Indian philosophy, that yoga boomed and became a popular activity. Since then, people nationwide have become interested in learning and studying the art of yoga. Yoga classes are offered at most gyms and health care centers, but the best places to get serious about yoga practice are studios. There are many great studios in Athens, including Five Points Yoga, a new studio in the heart of Five Points. The Red & Black sat down with Debi Garrett, co-owner of Five Points Yoga, to learn about the basics of yoga and how to introduce it to beginners.
BASIC HISTORY OF YOGA
Yoga began in India thousands of years ago. The term “yoga” is derived from Sanskrit and most accurately means “to unite or harness.” As such, yoga aims to unify the mind and body of the student, also called the yogi, through structured practice. While yoga is based on ancient spiritual philosophy and is an essential component of Hinduism and Buddhism, it does not have to be religious or spiritual. Debi Garrett describes yoga as being “as spiritual or not as the yogi wants it to be.”
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE ATTENDING A CLASS
For those who have never practiced yoga and want to, here are a few things to know before coming to yoga class.
First, yoga does not promote any particular religion, despite its origins. Yoga is practiced by people of all spiritual backgrounds.
Most studios have mats and yoga blocks to borrow during class, but in case you need to supply your own, mats can be purchased at almost any athletic store and at Target, Wal-Mart and some bookstores. The only item necessary for yoga practice is a mat.
The proper yoga attire is whatever feels comfortable and nonrestrictive to movement. It is recommended that women wear comfortable pants and a tighter-fitting top, while men are encouraged to wear comfortable bottoms and any shirt. All yoga is practiced with bare feet.
At Five Points Yoga, as well as most other yoga studios, mirrors are entirely absent in order to promote a more confident and less self-conscious practice.
“People who are new will look at themselves in mirrors and get discouraged because the more experienced people around them look more ‘correct’ in their poses,” Garrett said. “In yoga, not one person is better than anyone else. Yoga is about growing and learning within yourself. The poses should be done to the best of one’s abilities to be done correctly.”
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT YOGA
“I am not flexible, so I can’t do yoga.”
FALSE. Flexibility is not necessary to practice yoga. “I hate knowing that people are afraid to try yoga because they view themselves as inflexible,” Garrett said. “It doesn’t matter one bit. I don’t care if you are stiff muscles or a pretzel, anyone and everyone can do yoga.” Flexibility promotes more picture-perfect poses, but for every pose there is a modification for those who are not as flexible. Flexibility grows with time, and the more yoga is practiced, the more flexible and confident in poses the yogi will become.
“Yoga is intimidating because I don’t know what I’m doing or what to expect.”
FALSE. Everyone, at some point, has to start at the beginning. Yoga studios welcome and embrace newcomers. The poses are explained thoroughly in every practice, and the instructor is more than happy to help guide newcomers through their first few practices.
“It is so important to start taking yoga in a studio with a trained instructor to help,” Garrett said. “People get hurt in yoga when they don’t know how to do poses correctly. They will do them wrong and this will lead to injuries. However, if these incorrections are done with a teacher watching, they can be corrected and injury will be prevented.”
Yoga studios are welcoming to all, and yoga classes possess an atmosphere of learning. Even the most experienced yogi will learn something new in every practice pertaining to the poses or a mental aspect of yoga that has yet to be unlocked. Yoga focuses on the self.
“Students only look at each other if they don’t know how to do a pose or to make sure they are with the rest of the class,” Garrett said. “They don’t compare themselves to anyone else.”
“I am a male, and guys don’t do yoga.”
FALSE. It is true that in America, the majority of people who practice yoga are women. Garrett estimates that only 10 percent of students at her studio are men.
“I think men are intimidated to walk into a room with a bunch of woman who are generally more flexible and have to go into poses that might be easier for those same women,” Garrett said.
Society has placed a label that yoga is feminine, though historically men have been practicing yoga just as long as women.
EXAMPLES OF YOGA POSES
“Downward-Facing Dog”
This pose is the most common yoga pose and is prized for its rejuvenating quality. It neutralizes the spine and helps develop strength in the shoulders and arms and flexibility in the legs.
“Warrior II”
This pose is an intense lunge that increases stamina. From the basic Warrior II stance comes many other poses, including Inverted Warrior and Trikonasana, or the Triangle Pose, which lengthens and stretches the sides.
“Wheel”
Wheel is an intense back-bend that increases arm, leg, core muscle and back strength. This is a more advanced pose and should not be done without proper preparation so as to not injure the lower back.
THE MANY BENEFITS OF YOGA
The benefits of yoga are innumerable. Physically, yoga helps increase flexibility, which leads to injury prevention.
“I encourage every athlete, from football players to runners, who put a lot of pressure and tension on their muscles and joints to attend at least one yoga class a week,” Garrett said.
Studies have shown that yoga poses have prevented injuries in runners because it greatly benefits the core muscles.
“My husband had terrible back problems,” Garrett said. “Through yoga the hips are released, which causes the lower back to be released, which causes the rest of the spine to be released. He is now perfectly healthy and pain-free.”
Another great benefit of yoga is that it releases toxins from the body and promotes full health for the mind and the body.
“Through twists done in yoga class, the internal organs are cleansed of toxins, which leads to healthier lifestyles,” Garrett said.
Yoga is also terrific for mental health.
“One thing we focus on at Five Points Yoga is the ability to manage and control stress,” Garrett said. “We try to help our students build up the ability to relax on command.”
This helps manage stress, which is important for students and professionals alike. The practice might not be for everyone, but if you find it is, you will find a whole new world within yourself that can only be found on the yoga mat. Namaste: “The love in me honors the love in you.”
WHY SHOULD YOU TRY YOGA?
Yoga promotes a healthy lifestyle, great exercise, increased mental strength, injury prevention and clarity in life that can only be achieved through the strict practice of yoga.
Plus, it is open to anyone willing to try it. The vast majority of the classes offered at Five Points Yoga cost $10, but it offers a 50-percent-off discount for first-time patrons.
