Some frequently asked questions(FAQs)  and answer about Yoga 

Qn.       Does yoga means renunciation of the world ? 

Ans.       Yoga is a pure science. It should be adopted in daily life as a 'way of life'. No renunciation of the world is required. This has to be lived. 

Qn.       Do we need to go to Himalayas for practice of yoga? 

Ans.       Not necessary. This may be practised by any one of any faith, any religion, any cast, any race. 

Qn.       What is the effect of yoga on the different endocrine glands? 

Ans.       The yogic exercises and breathing system take care of whole body. They are sequenced and designed ito influence all the endocrine glands. This corrects both underworking and overworking of endocrine glands. 

Qn.       Kindly tell about different exercises? 

Ans.       There are three types of exercises. 

1.                   Dynamic or isotonic

2.                   Isometric

3.                   Yogic postures or yogasanas 

Qn.       What happens in isotonic exercises ? Name some exercises. 

An        In the isotonic exercises the muscles shorten, but the tension in the  muscles remain the same. Examples are walking, cycling, swimming, running, jogging, skipping etc. 

Qn.       Name some of isometric exercises and its effects? 

Ans.       Best example is weight lifting. When we push our hand against wall, we may feel the tension in the muscles. In isometric exercises, the length of the muscle does not change, but the tension increases. 

Qn.       What are the effects of different types of exercises? 

Ans.       Isometric exercises increases the physcial fitness if performed in optimum quantity with regularity. These exercises increases the work of the cardiovascular system. Isometric exercises increase the tension in muscles of the body. They impose a severe strain on the cardiovascular system. Isometric exercises are considered undesirable for cardiovascular diseases.  Yogic postures and breathing exercises do not strain the cardiovascular system and improve physical fitness and endurance.  These are good for both body and mind. They help to cope up with the tension in daily life. 

Qn.       What are the basic differences between yogic postures or asanas and physical exercises? 

Ans.       (i) Yogic postures or asanas tone up both the body and the mind. Whereas physical
    exercises affect mainbly the body. 

(ii) In yogic exercises, we spend less energy than in physical exercises. 

(iii) Yogic exercise gives adequate nourishment to the inner organs, nerves, spine, digestive system etc. 

Qn.       What is most convenient posture for relaxing the body? 

Ans.       The ideal yogic posture for relaxation is the "shavasana". There are some more relaxing postures, such as "makarasana" standing with equal weight on both legs with body in relaxed state, some sitting postures etc. 

            NOTE : These exercises must be learned by yoga masters for best results. 

Qn.       Kindly tell about backache and its symptoms. 

Ans      These types of pain come under "degenerative changes". These changes in spine are almost present after the age of 40., These changes are not accompanied by symptoms. 

Qn.       What causes the backache.? 

Ans.       They are caused by the compression of the cartilages, the soft cushioning pieces between the vertebrae. 

Qn.       Kindly specify some asanas, which may help in reducing the backache. 

Ans.       Yogasanas like bhujangasanas, navkasanas, shalabhasanas, spinal flex asanas, etc.

            NOTE: These must be learned under the supervision of yoga master.

Qn.       Is yoga an atheistic system? 

Ans.       It is neither theistic nor atheistic system.  It is pure science. No belief or precondition but discipline is required. 

Qn.       What is the path of success? 

Ans.       Yoga says success is nearest to those whose efforts are intense and sincere.  Let us remember, sincerity is a quality that happens wherever we are totally in something. People generally think to be serious as to be sincere. This is wrong. Seriousness belongs to the ego, the doer.  Sincerity is a shadow of being total in something. For success both are needed, intense and sincerity.  We must remember, the chances of success vary according to the degree of effort. 

Qn.       How can one cut desires without suppressing them? 

Ans.       Desires are dreams, they are not realities,. We can suppress, when certain thing is real.  Take needs, this can be suppressed or fulfilled. A desire is a dream. Simply understand this and this will  disappear. 

Qn.       What are the obstacles that distract the mind? 

Ans.       Disease, languor, doubt, carelessness, laziness, sexuality, delusion, impotency and inability are the obstacles. 

Qn.       What are the symptoms of a distracted mind ? 

Ans.       Anguish, despair, tremors and irregular breathing are the symptoms of a distracted mind. 

Qn.       How to be alert in sleep and dream? 

Ans.       We must move step by step.  First step is to be aware while walking. Start from here, be aware, go on and on.  When enough energy of awareness has been gathered, then further. We may try to be aware while eating, while talking, while going in bus, car, while doing some other work. If awareness starts staying then we should try to be aware whilegoing to sleep. Slowly, this will start happening and then further will happens.  One day one will become aware of dreams. 

Qn.       What is non-attachment? 

Ans.       Non-attachment means do not be dependent on anything and do not make life and happiness dependent on anything. Preference is okay, attachment is not okay.  If many persons are there, we have to love someone, we have to choose someone, we have to  be friendly with someone. We  may prefer someone,  but we should not be dependent on him or her. If we are attached, then it becomes obsession. Preference is just the reverse. If the person is not there, okay, if the person is there, feel happy and thankful.  Attachment is disease. 

Qn.       What are chakras? 

Ans.       Chakras are specific vital centers in the body. They are energy vortexes that govern our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well being. 

Qn.       How yogasanas may be mastered? 

Ans.       First learn the technique of asanas from yoga expert. Practice the technique regularly, second step will be to watch the different positions and movements and dynamics of whole body. One is required to watch body movement, breathing and the portions which get emphasis during a particular yogasanas. If one is rooted in this, the watching leads to awareness.  Being aware during the yogasanas is the key step, which happens if 1^st and 2^nd steps are followed correctly, This is ultimate goal. Any one on the path of yoga must strive to achieve this stage. Being aware, relaxed, rooted in self is the state of meditation. When this starts happening in yogasanam, the state is called "yogasanam have been acquired" (state of Sidha). 


 Please send your questions if any, by Email to Pradhanacharya. You may also seek personal appointment by Email.  

B.Sharma
Pradhanacharya
E-Mail: pradhanacharya@ excelyoga.com