New to this, couple of basic questions

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hi, I’m new here - Pleasure to virtually make your acquaintance :cool:

Basically, I’ve been developing a bit of an interest in Yoga lately, am thinking about practising it in some form, and have a couple of questions. Keep in mind that I currently know very little about the subject.

Obviously, it would be ideal to take proper classes and learn from a teacher in person, but I can’t really afford that right now - Is it something that’s worth trying to learn from books/DVD’s or would that be a waste of time?

My main interest in Yoga is the cultivation of energy that I could use in my Martial Arts and other activities, as well as achieving further balance of body, mind and spirit - Am I correct in deducing that yoga would help me do this, or would a system like Chi Kung be more suitable for this (considering that I’m looking to enhance the Martial Arts I practice)? Can you/is it dangerous to learn Yoga and Chi Kung simultaneously?

Is there any value at all in learning just one aspect of Yoga, such as Pranayama, without the others, or is this dangerous? If so, what are the dangers involved in doing this?

Many thanks…

#2

Dear Curious,

Anything you learn from books or DVDs, etc., should only be considered an introduction at best. You have to have the presence of a teacher, eyes watching you, breathing with you, cuing you in timing and emphasizing degree of force, duration etc. You won’t get that in any other way. But then again, finding an accomplished teacher is also not easy. There are many who are no more effective than a book or DVD.

If you are willing to study, then look at the history and where it comes from, VEDANTA, the art, literature, the different lineages and styles, etc., and most importantly, learn what the parts are, i.e., raja, jnana, bhakti, and karma, so you can distinguish them from one another and know just what it is you’re learning and where to focus, (namely hatha, which is but a small part of raja yoga).

Basic pranayama can be learned (with a teacher) and practiced, such as abdominal breath, or basic alternate nostril breathing, but that should be accompanied by a consistent hatha practice, mainly for the strength and mental focus you need to perform more advanced pranayama which must be accompanied by hatha. Extended pranayama without hatha is like doubling the amperage of electricity coming into your home without upgrading the wiring. Hatha is the upgrade in the wiring that would allow you to do that.

Chi Kung and yoga are in perfect harmony. I do both, although I notice my counterparts who do no yoga, don’t have the control of breath, and so, not the stamina to hold postures or stances very long. yoga will definitely improve your Chi Kung if you strongly incorporate yogic breathing.

Hatha and pranayama are most likely all you will need in this lifetime. There are many wonderful aspects of yoga to realize, but those outside of hatha and pranayama, the more philosophical, devotional, etc., involve what you think and believe, what you might find beautiful, which you may or may not be interested in. The beauty is, when you seek the science, the action, which is raja yoga (hatha and pranayama), your interest in the more esoteric things will be revealed. Further interest will come naturally from your own desire and inspiration. That’s when yoga enters your heart, and where it will most likely stay.

Best of luck. Find a teacher. Try several.

peace,
siva

#3

My main interest in Yoga is the cultivation of energy that I could use in my Martial Arts and other activities, as well as achieving further balance of body, mind and spirit - Am I correct in deducing that yoga would help me do this, or would a system like Chi Kung be more suitable for this (considering that I’m looking to enhance the Martial Arts I practice)? Can you/is it dangerous to learn Yoga and Chi Kung simultaneously?

I think, based on the above, you are best suited to do Chi Kung than Yoga. Yoga is not really about cultivating energy, it more about realizing ones pure self. As a part of the practice energy work is done in Yoga(especially Tantra Kriya Yoga) but only indirectly in order to balance the energy channels to allow prana/chi to flow better, enabling more energy to flow to consciousness. On the other hand, in Chi Kung, especially in the context of martial arts, energy is raised in order to amplify ones strikes. This is more like using Yoga to cultivate siddhis(powers), which is not considered very yogic. It is practiced by Tantric magicians, but that involves a lot of hocus-pocus and rituals, which you definitely don’t need.

Chi Kung is especially designed to cultivate energy and thus I would recommend for your purposes you stick to Chi Kung.

#4

My martial arts background is limited to some Kung Fu training during my teens. Therefore I can’t provide feedback on who these things work together, or not.

What I can tell you is that the forces cultivated in the two practices do not at all have the same intention. The fighting force is what is cultivated in martial arts, though restraint in its use is also part of a sound training.

What is cultivated in Yoga does not have any fighting-force-intention to it whatsoever. Of course any cultivated thing can be used in both wholesome and perverse ways, and all points in between. But the cultivation itself has an entirely different genesis.

Do I believe the pursuit of Yoga is worthwhile even in this context? Absolutely. There are always doors opened by the practice for one who seeks wisdom. It is important to note that Yoga doesn’t make one a better person, it merely makes them more of what they are. So care should be used so that the ego isn’t aggrandized over the spirit.

#5

Nice information siva…Thanks for sharing these.

#6

[QUOTE=Curious;72183]
Obviously, it would be ideal to take proper classes and learn from a teacher in person, but I can’t really afford that right now - Is it something that’s worth trying to learn from books/DVD’s or would that be a waste of time?
[/QUOTE]

I can only answer this part of your question… it wasn’t a waste of time for me. I learned, and still practice, only with DVDs/books. For free, check out what your library has available for beginner/intro to yoga.

Enjoy!