Yoga Talk?

There are words, as yoga instructor, I may say in class that to the outside world beyond yoga mats that sound very weird.  For instance, I don't normally say, "and pull your navel into your spine while you exhale, twist and lengthen" to my friends or family at any time.  Where else would I sit at the front of a room and to tell people to "inhale or exhale" unless I am in a frustrating meeting? Better yet why would I tell you to notice things in your body that may be happening and how do I know it's happening? To top it off, at the end of a relaxing nap-state (and who does this?), I then say "Namaste".   What does it all mean?

Here it goes:

Pulling your navel to spine is building core stomach muscles. You are also massaging internal organs while inhaling and sucking in the stomach. Then adding a twist begins to rid the body of toxins by massaging the organs more and lubricating the spine.

Inhale and exhale - in yoga, especially Ashtanga yoga, poses are directly linked to breath and the body flows in somewhat of a dance. The inhale allow the body to lengthen in the pose to the exhale to move deeper into position. At times when a positions seems impossible, within 5 breaths the position is easier to maintain. In Hatha yoga, inhaling and exhaling are important, but less direct emphasis is noted during practice with each movement.

Nothing this - Have you ever had someone tell you about a commercial that you never saw and then all of the sudden you see it all the time?  You just had to get your senses involved.  Same is true with yoga.    There might be a feeling in the body that you are not in-tune with, but as soon as I mention what you might be feeling, you become of your body and how it's responding to yoga.  Most importantly you will begin to listen to your body and connect deeper to yourself.

Savasana - the relaxing nap-state that occurs at the end of yoga practice is Corpse Pose. The pose calms the brain and helps relieve stress while relaxing the body. It also lowers blood pressure. Students often feel a slight cooling of the body while in this pose and it's best to harness body's warmth with a covered blanket to contain energy. I have seem people fall asleep and I have even cried in Savasana when my body and mind was under high anxiety. I felt a sense of relief at the end.

Namaste - "The light in me see the light in you". Namaste is the belief that there is a Divine spark in everyone and by saying Namaste I am acknowledging that spark in my students. "nama" means bow and "ta" means you - I bow to you from my heart.

The next time you are in class, you will be little wiser and understand Yoga Talk meaning and benefits. As Mr Miyagi once said "wax on wax off, it wasn't until later that Karate Kid knew the true reason for the extensive practice,  but it paid off when it meant the most.