What is Yoga?
It is often suggested that yoga originated in India circa 2000 BCE.
Definition of yoga
Yoga is a generic word (such as health, fitness) and means union (from the root Sanskrit verb: Yug ~ to join). It is often interpreted as the union of mind, body and soul, and can provide perfect harmony and balance.
Forms of Yoga
There are four main forms or pathways of yoga:
| Karma Yoga ~ |
Selfless service, i.e. working for others,
e.g. Mother Theresa |
| Bhakti Yoga ~ |
Yoga through devotion; e.g. Gandhi,
Mother Theresa |
| Jnana Yoga ~ |
Knowledge or wisdom, e.g. some scientists
could be termed ‘Jnana yogi’s’. |
| Raja Yoga ~ |
Royal path (Hatha is a form of Raja Yoga) |
RAJA YOGA
The Royal Path is broken into eight steps which are:
• yama (with five abstinences, e.g. ahimsa ~ to not cause pain)
• niyama (with five observances, e.g. saucha ~ purity of
thought, word and deed)
• Asana (seated posture ~ usually translated as posture)
• Pranayama (the practice of breath awareness)
• Pratyahara (the practice of withdrawal of the senses)
• Dharana (the practice of concentration)
• Dhyana (effortless meditation)
• Samadhi (enlightenment)
Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga is generally interpreted as the yoga of (physical) action and is practised in most Western Yoga classes.
The British Wheel of Yoga is partly responsible for bringing Hatha Yoga to the UK along with yoga teachers such as B.K.S. Iyengar. Hatha Yoga is a form of Raja Yoga and usually ‘Hatha’ Yoga classes consist of the following elements:
Relaxation
Limbering postures
Asanas
Some pranayama/breath awareness
Some meditation
Some theory and philosophy
Hatha also means balance - Ha means the sun and Tha means the moon and can represent male and female energies. Much Hatha work is on the physical body as a preparation for the deeper practices like meditation which are more often experienced as part of the Raja Yoga pathway.
Hatha Yoga styles most commonly seen in the UK
There are many yoga teachers who have trained in the UK and come from different yoga traditions, these include:
British Wheel of Yoga
Established in 1965 and incorporates different teachers from many different backgrounds and styles. Classes will start with relaxation, meditation, limbering postures, classical asanas (e.g. from Hatha Yoga Pradipika) and pranayama. BWY teachers have met or exceeded the National Occupational Standard to teach yoga.
ACCREDITED BWY ORGANISATIONS
The following yoga teaching organisations have met or exceeded the standards required for yoga teachers to teach yoga to a National Occupational Standard
Association of Yoga Studies
(Formerly called ‘Viniyoga Britain’) Flowing progressive sequences from limbering postures to asanas.
TKV Desikachar founded this style in the tradition of Krishnamacharya’s teachings
Heart Yoga
Accredited by The British Wheel of Yoga. This organisation was founded by Jenny Beeken
The Mandala Yoga Ashram
Influenced by the ‘Satyananda Yoga’ tradition with guidance offered under the direction of Swami Nischalananada Saraswati
Satyananda Yoga UK/Eire
Teaching is based on Bihar tradition (Bihar School based in Munger, India, under direction of Swami Satyananda Saraswati and now Swami Niranjanananada Saraswati). Satyananda trained teachers use asana, pranayama, bandha, mudra, kriya, swara and meditation. Also supported by much anecdotal evidence and key texts. Essentially Raja Yoga is practised.
THE FOLLOWING SCHOOLS/STYLES ARE CURRENTLY NOT ACCREDITED TO THE BRITISH WHEEL OF YOGA BUT SOME BWY TEACHERS MAY ALSO HAVE TRAINED IN THE TRADITIONS
Astanga Vinyasana
Astanga means eight (as in eight limbs of Raja Yoga - so all Hatha Yoga is ‘Ashtanga’) but together with vinyasa means flow. Fast flowing sequences with dynamic postures. Some pranayama, e.g. Ujjayi. Developed by Guru Pattabhi Jois (whose teacher was the same teacher who taught B.K.S. Iyengar.) Some British Wheel of Yoga teachers may also teach this style.
Bikram
Developed by Bikram Choudray in the 1970’s. Performed in heated rooms to allow muscles to move easily, 26 asanas are practised. Some British Wheel of Yoga teachers may also teach this style.
Dharma Yoga Centre
Dharma Yoga Centre founded by Swami Dharmananda Saraswati who trained with Swami Satyananda. Some British Wheel of Yoga Teachers are also trained in this tradition.
FRYOG
Some British Wheel of Yoga teachers may also be FRYOG trained
Iyengar
Very precise form of Hatha Yoga based on the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar. Highly disciplined, static and precise postures. Pranayama generally not taught until asanas are ‘mastered’. Although not accredited to the British Wheel of Yoga as a group; some individual Iyengar Yoga Teachers are also British Wheel of Yoga teachers.
Sivananda Yoga
This style of yoga training was established by Swami Vishnu devananda. Sivananda Yoga can be very strong and powerful and classes work in postures performed in certain sequences. Less initial emphasis on pranayama, meditation and relaxation. Sivananda Yoga can have very short teacher training courses (one month). Some British Wheel of Yoga Teachers are also Sivananda trained.
Yoga for Health Foundation
YFH teachers offer remedial yoga classes for MS sufferers, etc. Some British Wheel of Yoga teachers may also be trained by YFH.
The following schools/styles of yoga are not accredited or linked to The British Wheel of Yoga...
British School of Yoga
Devon School of Yoga
Dru Yoga
International Yoga Federation
Kevala Yoga
Kundalini Yoga
Prananva School of Yoga
Samvit Yoga School
Sun Power Yoga
Yoga Alliance of Europe
Yoga Bugs
If you would like to find out whether a certain school or style is linked to The British Wheel of Yoga - please visit their web site www.bwy.org.uk or telephone their Central Office on
01529 306 851 for further details.
IS YOUR YOGA TEACHER CORRECTLY QUALIFIED?
With over 1 million people practicing yoga in the UK today and approximately 10,000 teachers, it has never been easier to find a local yoga class.
But how do you know if your teacher has completed the right training?
How can you tell if they are providing you with the correct knowledge of yoga and, most importantly, that they are able to ensure your safety whilst practicing yoga?
Ideally, he or she should have completed an intensive training course such as the Diploma, run by the industry's Governing Body, the British Wheel of Yoga. This type of course lasts between two and four years and involves around 500 hours of study. The BWY Diploma is currently the only yoga qualification that is recognised by Sport England.
Hilary MacRae, Chairman of the Education Committee at the BWY explains why the BWY Diploma is seen as the industry standard:
"I believe there are certain elements of teaching yoga that are non-negotiable, that is they must form part of any training that a teacher does. These are vital to ensure good yoga practice and must always include:
* an understanding of safety in practice
* first hand experience of yoga asanas ie not by correspondence course
* the value of lesson-planning
* the need to offer modification to those with health or fitness issues
* the importance of keeping records of what has been taught in class
* the importance of ongoing assessment and evaluation."
Currently there are around 3,500 qualified teachers in the UK who have completed the BWY Diploma and they teach everywhere from LEA Fitness Centres, private health clubs or village and school halls.
If you would like to find the details of a BWY Diploma teacher in your area simply log onto www.bwy.org and go to "Find Local BWY teachers".
Yoga can be an excellent route to fitness, to enhance your quality of life or decrease stress symptoms but it should be gradual and guided at all times in the right way by properly qualified teachers.
The above text has kindly been provided by and is © Copyright of the The British Wheel of Yoga, Governing Body for Yoga in Great Britain. www.bwy.org.uk
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