What is yoga?
By Militza Living, Oct 27, 2006

Film: Yoga Unveiled presented by Militza Loving

Tuesday, October 31, 4pm, Teatro Santa Ana, Insurgentes 25, 50 pesos

According to one of my teachers, Swami Vishnudevanada, “Yoga is the oldest system of personal development in the world, encompassing body, emotions, mind and spirit.”

Most of us are aware of Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga. Hatha refers to the joining of solar and lunar energies and is the physical practice that uses movements, postures and asanas to stretch, tone, activate and relax the muscles, joints, skeletal system and spine, organs, glands and nerves to maintain radiant health. Included in the practice of Hatha Yoga is pranayam, or yogic breathing, which relaxes, revitalizes and increases mind/body awareness. Raja Yoga, or the Royal Road, focuses on mastery of the mind, emotions and behavior through a series of steps or disciplines. These steps purify, focus, concentrate and provide a basis for meditation or samadhi (the state of superconsciousness). Briefly, these steps are yamas, or restraints; niyamas, or observances; asanas and pranyama; pretyhara, or sense of withdrawal; darhana, or concentration; dyhana, or meditation; and, finally, samadhi. 

Increasingly in the West we are being reminded that yoga is not just a “workout.” Much of yoga is thought. Individuals benefit from the physical strength and reduction of stress, but the essence of yoga is balance and harmony. It is practiced with the mind, emotions, body and spirit working together—yoga is a way of being.


Militza Loving is a yoga teacher and therapist. She introduces the film Yoga Unveiled.