Yoga Sutra

By Martin Dean

Life in Harmony

What does Yoga mean to those only casually acquainted with it? Is it the image of a man meditating in a cross-legged position, the latest fitness video released by a Hollywood superstar, or a lady posing with the grace of a ballet dancer - perhaps it's just a mixture of all three. The true nature of yoga though goes much deeper than these images and the power of it can create quite an impact.

Having been a student of yoga for a number of years and having achieved some essence of what I had read and been told, I was eager to practice again after a two year break. With just a little trepidation because of my now distinct lack of flexibility, I set up an appointment with Yogasutra, a newly opened establishment set in the midst of hectic Sathorn. I was to discover it to be an oasis of calm within this busy business setting and was able to rediscover what had slipped from my mind after a brief two years.

The instructor turned out to be Ajarn Suthee Phanthong, a highly experienced practitioner of the art form; (I had read about him in an article) he has a unique and attentive style with an emphasis on building strength, flexibility and stamina (Asanas), coupled with proper breathing and movement, all aspects working in harmony to attain higher levels of awareness (meditation or Samadhi) - the true nature of yoga.

The class

I was shown to my locker and given a hand towel. After changing into some loose fitting clothes I was ready to begin. The practice room itself is very comforting, mirrors adorn the front of the room to enable guests to hold a better posture and achieve more fluidity in movement. A yoga mat is provided in the area. I found that unlike some other participants my hands and feet seemed to grip the mat quite well, making me quietly confident from the outset.

Although the class is conducted in the Thai language, Ajarn Suthee demonstrates from the front, making it easy for me to follow. A second instructor is on hand for those returning to the art or for new recruits, in order to ease the journey into the life of yoga. With a confident smile from this instructor to me and the other participants we were ready to begin.

I could feel some of my muscles resisting the poses and stances I was moving into. Also, the deep breathing filled my body with an energy and power I had not felt for some time. It was at this point that I remembered how much of a workout this experience can be; one that gives more muscle tone, stamina, balance and confidence that any other sport I could recall.

After a one hour session that positively seemed to fly past I was able to glean some information from Mr Suthee about this love for yoga and how he was introduced to it.

Why Yoga

Yoga in short is the practice of body postures coupled with controlled breathing. The postures are designed to prime every muscle, nerve and gland in the body and each pose has a specific function or purpose. Hence, daily practice brings about mental equilibrium and confidence and, as aforementioned, a body sculpting that is rarely achieved through the normal mediums of exercise.

Is it difficult?

Yoga is neither a "fad nor hype" but it does take "discipline and patience to live this life." Progress can be slow and one needs to treat the body with the due respect it deserves as it begins to enter into a new way of living and being. From personal experience, I can recall the abundant joys of this life and I can recollect the wisdom of working within the limits of my own body.

Benefits

Physical benefits aside, anyone who practices long enough will find changes taking place that are quite subliminal. The student begins to notice "improvements in health, energy and mental state". After this initial phase there is a feeling of "calmness and detachment from the normal worries and stresses of daily life" - a feeling of being more directed and purposeful begins to emerge.

How often?

In light of the currently fast paced and hectic lifestyle lived by most people in this age of modernity, daily practice will offer the most rewards. For in yoga as with most areas in life, one gets back percentage-wise what one puts in. Therefore it is up to the student to set their own pace and schedule.

At Yogasutra

After just one lesson and being once again surrounded by like-minded people on the "road seldom taken" I could feel my body more in tune than any time in recent memory. My trepidation was that of fear only; fear of practicing something which I had mostly forgotten through allowing other areas of my life to progress unheeded. Not that these areas were not beneficial to me but now I will be able to achieve more balance in my life. Through a daily routine I can look forward to;-

Are these extravagant claims, well I think not. Yoga does not claim to be a cure all for everything. It is a means to live in greater harmony with oneself and all mankind.

Preparation

Yoga is best practiced on an empty stomach; avoid eating meals or snacks two hours prior to a session. From experience I would recommend wearing loose fitting clothes to allow for freedom of movement; leggings or track bottoms are best. While holding a pose, it is best not to cause unnecessary tension on the muscles or joints; be as relaxed but precise as possible, challenge yourself while respecting your limits. Also an informative understanding of what each asana (posture or movement) means, makes one focus on the breathing and gives a conscious awareness of what one is doing. Finally, do a warm up session before each practice and please do not attempt difficult postures without the guidance of someone like Mr Suthee.

Ajarn Suthee

If the causal reader requires any proof of the advantages of this form of exercise or discipline, I would use the case of the instructor at Yogasutra as an example. For here is a man in his late forties who only took up the discipline in his mid-thirties as a different challenge and experience; he now looks much younger than his years. He also has the flexibility of someone half is age.

Those who regularly practice yoga - and I am now one again, will begin to understand what others have realised for years. Yoga, although as old as civilization itself, can still work wonders and adapt well to improving the quality of our lives in the hectic pace of today's living.