Issue link: https://www.cominghomemag.com/i/1483107
An ancient practice rooted in Indian philosophy, yoga is a group of disciplines that builds harmony in the mind and body. Five thousand years ago, yoga was conceived as a way of life with the goal of enlightenment; however, what began as a comprehensive spiritual practice has now transformed into a form of exercise and meditation in the Western world. To better understand our modern adaptation of yoga—and learn a bit about traditional yoga—we asked yoga instructor Lisa Callander some questions about her experience and practice. 7 QUESTIONS with a Yoga Instructor We learn the basics from Lisa Callander. 1 What was your first experience with yoga? I became an empty nester at 50 and was looking for a new way to unwind. A friend invited me to go to a yoga class. It was my first time, and I didn't expect to like it, but it spoke to me. The practice quieted my mind, and it was both challenging and calming. I kept going and got hooked. What are the certification requirements needed to teach yoga in the United States? In 2019, I completed the basic 200-hour yoga certification through Yoga Alliance. This 200-hour certification is the standard level of training to become a certified yoga instructor in the United States. During this training, instructors learn about yoga forms, philosophical roots, benefits, and more. Additionally, for further advancement, instructors can obtain a 300-hour certification (I completed this in March 2022 and am now 500-hour certified) and learn more complex techniques and philosophies. Training at both levels includes a combination of readings, workshops, observation classes, papers, practice teaching, and final approval from a mentor. Can you tell us about the philosophical roots of yoga? Many people in the West imagine yoga to be solely about stretching, posing, and twisting. However, according to Patanjali's Yoga Sutras (a foundational text of yoga philosophy written between the second and fourth century BC), there are eight limbs of yoga: Each limb serves as a guideline or principle for how to live your life with meaning and purpose. By practicing this eight-fold path, enlightenment—the goal of traditional yoga—can be achieved. This enlightenment is the highest state of meditative consciousness, where the true self and a sense of oneness are realized. 2 3 • Yama (self-restraint and moral disciplines) • Niyama (positive observances) • Asana (posture/physical poses) • Pranayama (breathwork) • Pratyahara (withdrawal of senses) • Dharana (concentration) • Dhyana (meditation/contemplation) • Samadhi (bliss/transcendence)