Our Yoga Curriculum and Philosophy

The practice of Yoga is an integral part of The Silent Mind’s philosophy of Enlightened Fitness and Health.  Yoga literally means yoke or union, and is practiced to bring the student into union with enlightenment.  Yoga is not a religion; it is a comprehensive system of health and fitness that the student experiences on various levels; not just the physical.  Yoga has been practiced in India for over 5000 years, and has been a popular form of exercise all over the world since the 1800s.  The system of yoga and its different styles has shaped individuals as well as entire cultures. Yoga exemplifies the peace and vitality that many of us seek in our lives.

For many years western health and fitness paradigms have concentrated strictly on the physical health of the body.  The body becomes overworked, unbalanced and stressed to the point of breakdown often resulting in injuries.  We hear from our fitness instructors and our coaches — “no pain, no gain”.  Leaving behind the old exercise paradigm to embark upon a Mind/Body integrated Enlightened Fitness practice such as yoga is an important transition in our thoughts and actions.

Many of us misconstrue the idea of involving our mind into our physical exercise experience as the “mental toughness” it takes to push ourselves through the pain and injury our body endures.  If an exercise program is setting the body up for physical injury and contributing to self-guilt and mental stress should it still be considered healthy?

Yoga, and other Enlightened Fitness practices, only promote and build better health on all levels (mind and body) and overall vitality.  The proper practice of yoga, under a qualified instructor’s teaching will provide a comprehensive health and fitness system that brings balanced strength and health to the body and mind.  The process of yoga teaches us to release the stress we accumulate in our hectic lives to help us regain our health and vitality.

The health system of Yoga is divided into eight limbs.  Four of the limbs deal with mental and physical training designed to bring body, mind, and spirit into balance. The other four limbs deal with aspects of meditation.  There are six major branches of yoga:  Hatha, Raja, Bhakti, Karma, Tantra, and Jhana.

The benefits of the practice of yoga and other Enlightened Fitness programs are real, but they take dedicated daily practice (sadhana).  We are here to see that to enhance your experience with yoga so it is successful and joyful.  We know that attending a yoga class sporadically will not deliver the results described here and will result in frustration.  We suggest beginning with a minimum of a 3-month, twice per week commitment to yourself and your yoga class.  This includes some daily practice that your teacher will instruct you in.