Yoga: origins, practices, benefits and limitations

Today, yoga is widely practiced in the West, sometimes as a simple relaxation and meditation technique, sometimes as a way of life in its own right. Today, yoga is practiced in response to the need for well-being, relaxation of the mind and body in an increasingly fast-paced society. Yet the history and Hindu spirituality behind this discipline go far beyond a simple relaxation technique.

What is yoga?

Definition of yoga

Yoga is a traditional Eastern discipline which aims to unify the human being and transcend the human condition through a series of techniques involving physical postures, breathing exercises and meditation. Today, it's mainly considered as a technique similar to sophrology, helping you to refocus on yourself and take a break from exercise.

The origins of yoga

Yoga is a Hindu school of thought, practiced since the 3rd millennium BC. It comprises various physical and mental exercises, as well as a certain moral asceticism. Described in particular by Patañjali in the Yoga-sutra (a text intended for those wishing to learn the discipline of yoga), yoga aims to unify the human being in all his or her various aspects (physical, psychic and spiritual). This unification aims to bring about an awakening that will enable man to transcend his human condition and draw closer to the divine, freeing him from the fatality and suffering associated with incarnate and material life (karma).

Faced with this great tradition, it's not always easy to distinguish between the different practices.

How do I practice yoga?

Hatha yoga or traditional yoga

Traditional Indian yoga (or Hatha Yoga) has 8 limbs, or "ashtanga", found in the treatise "Yoga-sutras":

Yama : the code of conduct in society (ethical and moral rules concerning our relationship with others)
Niyama : self-discipline (knowing oneself, cultivating self-acceptance, practicing discipline...)
Asana : body postures (regular practice of postures to maintain physical and mental health)
Pranayama : breathing exercises (to calm the mind and increase vital energy, in particular by opening the chakras)
Pratyahara : control of the senses (practicing awareness and development of the 5 senses)
Dharana : control of the mind (developing concentration, notably through meditation)
Dhyana : meditation (reaching a state of deep calm and mental unity)
Samadhi : state of awakening, of liberation (achieved through the implementation of the other pillars).

Gradually implementing these principles in your daily life will enable you to balance your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. The aim of putting these different aspects into practice in our lives is to one day achieve a liberating awakening to the determinism of "Karma" (the concept of reincarnation linked to the quality of our actions in previous lives). Man would then be able to "surpass the limits of his sensory perceptions and intellect, in order to achieve a direct knowledge of the true essence of the apparent world"(From the banks of the Ganges to the banks of the Jordan by Hans Urs von Balthasar).

Western and contemporary practice, however, is more affordable, as it relies on physical postures to develop mental well-being.

Western practice

Although inspired by traditional Indian yoga, modern Western yoga practice focuses on the physical aspects, namely "asanas " (postures) and sometimes "pranayama " (breathing exercises). This approach, which tends more towards a sporting practice than a religion, is in line with a personal development approach, emphasizing bodily benefits and general well-being, such as reduced anxiety, relaxation...

From Hatha Yoga, various practices have emerged in the West, such as :

Vinyasa Yoga (synchronized postures and breathing)
Ashtanga Yoga (precise sequence of physical postures)
Power Yoga (fitness version of yoga)
Yin Yoga (slow, meditative yoga)
Kundalini Yoga (spiritual form of yoga)
Yoga Sculpt (a combination of yoga and muscle toning)

The benefits of yoga

The physical and mental benefits of yoga are diverse. Here are just a few of them:

prevention of chronic illness
relieves body pain through regular physical exercise
combats stress and anxiety by rebalancing the central nervous system (particularly through meditation)
improving sleep quality and breathing
toning the figure by strengthening the muscles

Although yoga is intended to contribute to a person's well-being, there are certain limits, and even dangers, to the practice of yoga that it's important to be aware of.

The limits of yoga

As far as the purely physical aspect of yoga is concerned, poorly executed positions can lead to short- and long-term pain in the body. It is therefore important to warm up properly before a session, without ever forcing the postures. Yoga may also be contraindicated for people with heart problems.

What's more, if yoga has its roots in a very specific religious and philosophical current, Hinduism, then can we really practice yoga detached from all spirituality?

It's also important to bear in mind that the origins of yoga lie in a quest to erase all affect, to anesthetize man from all emotion (and therefore all suffering) and thus enable him to free himself from his human and material condition. This quest involves total detachment from the body and its emotions. In this, there seems to be a contempt for certain components of human nature, which seems incompatible with Christianity.

If you're a Christian, or if you're looking to unify your being, there's also the Vittoz Method, which proposes welcoming reality through psycho-sensory exercises.

The Vittoz Method, a holistic, Christian alternative to wellness yoga

The Vittoz Method is a mind-body method that creates greater self-awareness and acceptance of our surroundings. Through the concept of receptivity and emissivity, the Vittoz Method also enables us to fully unify ourselves (body, mind and spirit). Its benefits include deep relaxation, improved concentration, better sleep and the ability to distance oneself from negative thoughts. Unlike yoga, the Vittoz Method invites us to embrace all the dimensions of our being as a gift to be cared for.

This mind-body technique mobilizes not only the body, but also the mind, particularly through meditation.

Christian meditation: uniting body, mind and spirit

To complete the relaxation work proposed by the Vittoz Method, Christian meditation offers relaxation of the mind and reflection on religious and human subjects such as God, prayer, Christian tradition, emotions, suffering, self-esteem, gratitude...

Take time for yourself

Every day, pray and through commentaries from great spiritual leaders.