pranoga

What is "Pranoga"?

"Pran" in Hindi or "Prana" in Sanskrit is the lifeforce within each of us. According to the Vedanta philosophy, Prana flows through our bodies in Nadis, or meridians. Pranayama or yogic breathing exercises are used to control the prana. The letters "oga" come from Yoga. Together, you may view Pranoga as "Yoga with emphasis on the Prana."

Do I need to be in good shape and flexible to practice Yoga?

This is probably the number one question on everyone's mind. It is also the biggest misconception that people have to be in good shape and flexible to practice Yoga. Yoga is essentially for everyone. There are certain medical conditions that prevent the practice of Yoga. Otherwise, anyone can practice Yoga, regardless of your condition or gender (we might add!). In fact, Yoga makes you more flexible over time. It also aids in weight loss. Although not directly, but Yoga helps to regulate the internal functions of the body, which in turn aid in the weight loss. So, no excuses! Give it a try and you will be amazed at how Yoga impacts your health and well being in a very subtle way. Most people join a Yoga class for the physical benefits, but soon find themselves more spiritually inclined. We need to stress here that Yoga is not religious, but it is spiritual in nature.

What can I expect from a typical Yoga class?

We offer beginner Yoga classes as well as those for intermediate students. You will learn the major principles of Yoga including the various physical postures or Yoga Asanas. We also incorporate Pranayama in all our classes. A typical class start off with an initial relaxation (Savasana), followed by pranayama, some warm up exercises including Surya Namaskar (or Sun Salutation), various asanas, and end with a guided final relaxation. The types of asanas practiced during a class are based on the class level.

What are the five major principles of Yoga?

The five major principles of Yoga are:

1. Proper Exercise (Asanas)
2. Proper Breathing (Pranayama)
3. Proper Relaxation (Savasana)
4. Proper Diet (Vegetarian)
5. Positive Thinking and Meditation (Dhyana)

What about Diet and Meditation?

As mentioned above, a typical Yoga class covers the first three major principles. We also encourage students to follow a vegetarian diet. However, that is not required. If students wish to migrate towards a vegetarian diet, we recommend that it is done gradually. We do emphasize positive thinking and positive attitude during our classes. Meditation instruction is provided as a separate workshop. We hope to provide such workshops soon along with workshops for helping students with specific asanas, advanced pranayama techniques, and kriya (or body cleansing techniques).

What type(s) of Yoga do you teach?

Although there are many different types of Yoga such as Bikram Yoga, Anusara, Power Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, etc., we prefer to stick to the traditional style of Hatha Yoga, as practiced in ancient India. As mentioned above, we emphasize on the Prana and aim to provide each student with an enlightening experience. We stress that true happiness lies within us and our ultimate goal is to help students find that eternal happiness or bliss.

What do I need to bring to class?

See the section What to Bring. 

Where can I purchase a Yoga mat?

If your are going to practice Yoga regularly, we highly recommend investing in a quality Yoga mat. You may find some at our Pranoga Store. Otherwise, you may pick up affordable Yoga mats at Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Walgreens, Walmart or Sports Authority.  Look for a mat that has a good grip in order to avoid slipping, and one that has enough thickness to protect your knees during class.

What are the eight limbs of Yoga?

The Eight Limbs or Eight Stages of Yoga are:

1. Yama (ethical standards, restraints)
2. Niyama (self discipline and spiritual observances)
3. Asana (postures)
4. Pranayama (breath regulation and control)
5. Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses)
6. Dharana (concentration)
7. Dhyana (meditation)
8. Samadhi (super-conscious, blissful state, being one with the Universe)

In the old days, an aspirant had to prove worthiness in each stage before proceeding to the next stage. It makes logical sense because mastering each stage helps ensure success in the following stages. Unfortunately, Yoga in the modern world has been predominantly reduced to just practicing the Asanas. Even that has taken on so many different styles to accommodate the modern lifestyle.

If you're truly interested in a proper and complete practice, explore the other aspects and reach your highest potential!