So, I've head a lot of different things, but I was wondering what y'all would say - What is Yoga? Do you have to be religous to practice it (I'm pretty much an Atheist)? Are there any good places online to learn about it?
Yoga means union with Source, or God. You don't have to believe in God to practice it, but that is essentially what it means. To become one with Source. Just search on google and you should come up with a load of information.
Which would you like? 1 Look up "yoga" in the encyclopedia 2 Look up "yoga" in the dictionary .. i am a simple computer. let humans worry about theological matters, i say.
Actually yoga means 'to yoke' or to control oneself. While mental yogas may be about becoming familiar with 'the source,' yoga - the word - merely implies some training which produces some control. Ones life is always running away from ones control. Yoga is a means to regain some control over ones life.
SImple enough, i'd recommend if anything just try a class. Best bet is to try a place solely for yoga rather than a yoga class at a sports centre which usually is just glorified aerobics. It'll help you just get the feel of it. I started with an instructor in a class and I was able to get a grounding. Books wise (I'm not gonna get into the word debate) a simple enough one is the Yoga for Dummies book. Harcore yogis would probably hate me for saying that but I think it's just a nice and simple guide/description of yoga with instructions on how to practice it if you want it. Hope I was of some assistance. x