What is yoga?
Yoga means oneness or unity (the Sanskrit word "yoga" means
to "yoke or join"). Ultimately, yoga is about self-realisation and
transformation to enable a person to reach their full potential. The eight limb path of
yoga was written down by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras probably about 300BC.
Most yoga classes in the UK offer hatha yoga, which focuses
in particular on two of these limbs: asanas (postures) and pranayama (breathing
exercises).
Most yoga classes also teach relaxation and, to some extent, meditation and
philosophy.
But whatever approach is taken, there is just one yoga. The different
styles and traditions of yoga are merely different routes to the same
destination. Different styles suit different people.
Yoga teacher
qualifications
The governing body for yoga in the UK is the British Wheel of Yoga, or BWY,
recognised by the Government's Sports Councils (Sport England, Sport Wales).
This acts as an umbrella organisation for the different traditions of yoga
in the UK and also trains teachers.
Anyone holding the BWY Diploma has
undergone a thorough assessed training programme lasting approximately three years.
Qualified Wheel
teachers also have insurance and ongoing professional development through
in-service training.
The British Wheel of Yoga has also recognised a
number of other teacher training courses, run by other yoga organisations,
as being of equivalent standard to their own Diploma. For more details
see www.bwy.org.uk
Any other yoga teacher training courses that you may come
across either do not meet the standard of the BWY Diploma, or the
organisation running the course has chosen not to apply for BWY
accreditation.
British Wheel of
Yoga classes
The BWY does not have a fixed system or approach to yoga, so its teachers vary enormously. There are thousands of Wheel teachers up and down the
country, and all have their own style of teaching, many teaching from their
experience of the traditions listed below. While it is hard to
generalise, many classes taught by Wheel teachers are inclusive in that they
cater for people of various abilities and experience. For more information see www.bwy.org.uk
Styles and traditions of
yoga
ASHTANGA VINYASA YOGA
This approach to yoga has become very popular in recent years, partly
because of a number of celebrity practitioners like Sting and Madonna.
Ashtanga yoga is a physically demanding form of hatha yoga and classes have a high proportion of
younger people and more men than you would find in an average yoga class.
The Ashtanga Vinyasa system is based on the Primary Series of postures taught by
Shri Pattabhi Jois of Mysore in India, who is now in his eighties. A
precise series of postures is taught and students practice the same asanas
each time they practice. The system uses a slow meditative breathing
method known as ujjayi and students are expected to move from one posture to
another using the flow of the breath. Concentration points, or "drishtis"
are also taught to encourage inner awareness and concentration. You
will get hot and sweat with this practise, at least when you first
start. Regular practice is strongly advised.
Because it can take ten years to receive the approval of Pattabhi Jois to
teach Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, qualified teachers are thin on the ground.
This hasn't stopped many teachers emerging who offer Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga. Be
aware that they may not be fully qualified. A potential hazard in such a
dynamic system is the risk of possible injuries, so it is important that you
find a qualified teacher who is aware of safety issues. Ask your teacher about their training and experience before signing up.
Teachers offering "power yoga" are usually teaching their own
modified version of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga which may not be accepted as correct
teaching by followers of Pattabhi Jois.
One of the leading Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga teachers in the UK is John Scott,
who is based in Penzance. His book has been reviewed
by YogaUK and he was featured in our people page in 2001.
Other Ashtanga links are www.ayri.org (Sri
Pattabhi Jois), www.ashtanga.com,
www.johnscottashtanga.co.uk
(John Scott) and www.yoga.co.uk
IYENGAR YOGA
BKS Iyengar developed his own approach to yoga over many years and has written numerous books on postures, breathing and yoga philosophy.
The Iyengar system of teaching is methodical and progressive.
Beginners work in a basic way on simple classical postures according to
their individual capabilities. As they develop they then move on to
more refined ways of working as well as to more complex postures.
There is a sophisticated system of teacher training which encourages Iyengar
teachers to continue their professional development. But again, you
should ask your teacher about their qualifications to make sure.
A typical Iyengar class will focus almost exclusively on the postures
(asana) - it is likely to be a mainly physical class with little exploration of spiritual ideas.
Through their knowledge of body mechanics, teachers use a range of
"props" to help students to get into postures or a modified
version of them. Blocks, belts, chairs and walls are frequently used
during classes. Pranayama (breathing) is only taught once students
have reached a certain level of proficiency in asanas. Classes tend to
by physically quite demanding and most classes
end with a relaxation.
For more information on Iyengar yoga click here
www.iyengaryoga.org.uk
'VINIYOGA'
Viniyoga was developed by TKV Desikachar, although the name 'viniyoga' was
abandoned in 2003 and has not been replaced with an alternative name. It aims aims to tailor yoga
to the individual needs of the student so that yoga is relevant to every
person and every situation. Its teachings respect differences in ages,
gender, mental and physical health, culture, religion, philosophy and
occupation.
Teachers are trained to create "vinyasas", or sequences
of postures. These take students on a journey which begins
gently and get stronger as the teacher moves the class towards the main
posture he or she is teaching. This style of class tend to be fairly
gentle.
In a yoga class based on the teachings of Desikachar you will find a lot of
gentle dynamic exercises - moving in and
out of postures with the breath. You may find some meditation and
possibly some chanting of sounds with the postures. You may or may not
have a deep relaxation exercise at the end of the class.
The organisation 'Viniyoga Britain' has now become The
Association for Yoga Studies
SATYANANDA YOGA
The Bihar School of Yoga is based on the teachings of Swami Satyananda
Saraswati. It is well established in the UK and its teacher training
course
is recognised by the British Wheel of Yoga.
Satyananada teachers teach asana, pranayama and relaxation (yoga nidra), and
may also teach chanting and meditation. Classes tend to be physically
moderate to gentle.
The Satyananda organisation (the Bihar School of Yoga) is
committed to teaching people from all backgrounds and has a policy of
openness and sharing in all its various teachings on yoga. The Bihar
School publishes many authoritative books on yoga and has centres in London
and Birmingham and a big ashram in Wales where courses and retreats are run.
For more information click here: www.mandalayoga.freeserve.co.uk
SIVANANDA YOGA
Master Sivananda was one of the most influential yogis who ever lived and he
inspired a big organisation to develop worldwide.
Teachers trained in the Sivananda tradition offer asana, pranayama and relaxation. They
may follow a set pattern of classical yoga
postures after warming up, including the salute to the sun sequence (surya namaskar).
For this reason, classes can be physically quite strong. You may also
be taught some meditation and chanting.
The Sivananda approach is broad. Great emphasis is laid on proper
diet, following the yamas and niyamas (rules for living) and meditating on
cosmic consciousness (or God).
For more information click here www.sivananda.org
OTHER YOGA TRADITIONS
The yoga traditions listed above are the most
common yoga systems found in the UK, but you may come across others.
Yoga traditions are based around the teachings and style of one particular
teacher or guru, based on classical yoga teaching passed down from guru to
student, as has been the tradition in India for thousands of years.
There are also a number of
organisations in the UK that have developed their own style and approach
over more recent years, for example the Yoga
for Health Foundation or the Life
Foundation School of Therapeutics Organisations such as these often run their
own teacher training courses, so you may find that there is a teacher from one of these
organisations in your area.
Teacher training courses are often shorter
and not as thorough as the BWY Diploma (check with the BWY
to see if a course is recognised by them).
