O Hatha Yoga, you are preparing me for a strong body, a sound vital, an illumining mind and a pure heart. From your valuable gifts I shall receive inspiration to take three long strides toward my life's integral perfection and my Lord's complete satisfaction: concentration, meditation and contemplation.

Concentration will penetrate the ignorance-world. Meditation will sit on the snow-capped mountain peak. Contemplation will join the divine lover and the Supreme Beloved in their oneness-dance.

- Sri Chinmoy

As you may know, Yoga has been in existence for some 4,000 years. It has lasted because it offers an accessible and affordable path along the road toward life-perfection. Hatha Yoga, the physical aspect of the yogic recipe for a healthful lifestyle seems to be — in our experience at least — the universally most beneficial form of exercise. Yoga can be equally effective for the different needs of men and women, seniors, athletes and children as well as people with all manner of physical and other health challenges. At Yoga-Life perfection of NY we call our approach ‘Classical Yoga’. In order to differentiate it from some of the new variations which have sprung up in recent years. Hatha Yoga is unbelievably adaptable and offers infinitely variable range of therapeutic values. At the very least it can move you toward a healthier, happier, more productive and more fulfilling life.

The benefits are, comparatively recently, being recognized worldwide. Major athletic coaches are making Yoga a part of their team's training. Even Oprah Winfrey, on her TV program, has spoken of the benefits of Yoga — and you can easily find out for yourself, if you haven't already done so.

In choosing a class, keep in mind that Yoga is not meant to be an exhausting ‘workout’. Running, cycling, swimming, racewalking, and such, according to your preference, can all fill the complementary need for aerobic exercise, a desirable supplement to the stretching, toning, strengthening and relaxing effects of Hatha Yoga. But Yoga, taught and practiced correctly, can subtly achieve almost miraculous results without sore muscles, stress or fatigue. It can accomplish this regardless of your age or physical condition because you work at your own level of fitness and the many variations and adaptations accommodate everyone. If done properly, at the end of your yoga session you should feel refreshed and energized, although if you are under a lot of stress or have been running on nervous energy , yoga may relax you so much that you become sleepy. I can't tell you how many students have fallen asleep during deep relaxation at their first few classes. Insomnia anyone? That's a thing of the past!

Our program, in the ancient tradition of Yoga, includes asana (exercise), pranayama (breathing exercises), deep relaxation and meditation. Asana, the physical exercise aspect of Yoga, was originally developed as a way of preparing the body and mind for meditation, which is at the core of applied Yoga. Meditation does not conflict with any religion unless someone creates that conflict within themselves by narrowness of vision or exclusiveness in their religious orientation.

Yoga, can also offer a complete philosophy of life. It has many branches that have various exotic names: Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga. Our mind always wants to divide everything into little sections, hoping it will be easier to understand. There is a modern obsession with specialization. Just tell your foot doctor or eye doctor about your indigestion. He'll probably send you to a gastroenterologist, because he may not know that the foot pain or eye infection that has brought you in to see him could well be related to the problem in your gut. If he does recognize the possibility, he may not have a clue of what to do about it. What we really are looking for in Yoga is unification, wholeness (the Sanskrit root of the word Yoga is Yug, which means union. Yoke, the device for joining oxen comes from the same root.) From Yoga we want experience, not analysis. Yoga is absolutely practical.

We need the Yoga asanas (exercises or poses) for relaxation, stretching, strengthening, toning and energizing. Pranayama (breathing exercises) strengthen and energize the nervous system, reduce stress and overcome respiratory ailments and the breathing exercises may even help you to do away with innumerable other health problems. Yoga philosophy and psychology offer a healing outlook on life and can answer many personal questions. We need meditation for peace, inner joy and spiritual enlightenment. All of these aspects are interrelated. You may choose to emphasize one or another, according to your natural inclinations, but even the medics are beginning to recognize that we can get the best results physically when we develop the spiritual side of our nature as well. You may click here to receive instruction for starting to meditate on your own and to get source Information on books, tapes, CDs and meditation classes in your area. For information on classes and class schedules, please contact us by phone at (718) 523 - 1430, or by email at <life--perfection-@-earthlink.net>.

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