Importance of Silence in Yoga Class

People these days live in a world that is rife with noise. That’s why it can be hard for them to experience silence in any aspect of their lives - from waking up to going to sleep.

There's always something that can stimulate your hearing; alarms, morning news, music, conversations at work, television, and all sorts of gadgets to make life easier.

It also enters most yoga classes, which traditionally are places of inner reflection and contemplation. Many people go to yoga because they're told it can help activate the parasympathetic nervous system and get them out of combat or

Silence Gives You The Most Needed “Relax”

Silence is rare in today's world and many people find it uncomfortable. Have you ever been in an elevator with no one talking? It can make some people feel uncomfortable or unsafe.

What is your experience of a yoga class at have no music or people chatting before the teacher arrives? Most studio directors will quickly put on some background music to avoid many students may feel uncomfortable when sitting in silence.

Even among the silence of yoga class, it becomes strange to be silent. Recently, music has become as prevalent in the classroom as a teacher. Music can help a student retain knowledge more easily and is used to help with teaching various things like math and science.

In the past, most students would visit physical universities for lectures. There's a chance that they might feel more at ease when teachers are able to find them instead of visiting them at home. This will help in terms of convenience, but it will also prevent students from expanding their knowledge base.

Silence is an Integral Part of Yoga

Traditional yoga has five different branches - they are Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi and Nirvana. In recent years the focus seems to have gone in a different direction but Pratyahara can still be highly beneficial. Pratyahara is an exercise that draws the senses inward. It is a link between the other more physical yoga exercises, and helps to calm the mind.

One of the most popular texts in the yoga tradition, The Katha Upanishad, even defines yoga as a strict restriction of the senses. This means restraining your five senses and silencing your mind. When you do that, you have reached the highest state possible.

Some people believe that yoga is a restriction that hampers the senses of sight, hearing etc. You might have experienced things like Pratyahara in your day to day life already.

What do you do when your workday is humming along, but suddenly feels like it's out of control? You can take some time to collect yourself by finding a quiet place to sit for a few minutes, maybe head into the bathroom (which often solves the problem), and then close your eyes to take deep breaths.

Sometimes, it only takes a minute to stay away from outside interference to create space and clarity. It's important not to succumb to distractions and intrusions because they will make you lose your creativity & mindfulness. The traditional texts of yoga always emphasize the importance of pratyahara. For example, modern yoga practices often neglect this teaching for the sake of keeping stress levels low.

The Stillness

In group yoga classes and online courses, you must use your senses to be efficient. You will learn better with the opportunity to see demonstrations, listen to verbal instructions and physically follow adjustments. How does pratyahara fit in with the yoga we practice today? When should practicing silence be introduced into our curriculum?

Often times, the changes we want in our lives come slowly and one step at a time. The other day I saw this yoga paradox that got me thinking. Patanjali's definition of Yoga is very broad and can take many shapes. A lot of the more popular sessions will involve some kind of intervention, such as exercise.

There are a lot of misconceptions about what you should be doing for exercise, but in reality, things such as sitting all day can be very damaging to your posture. Physical discomfort is also common after prolonged periods of sitting.

The combination of conscious exercise at work, such as doing a few series of stretches or passing through a few yoga poses can be very beneficial to take some time out.

It’s easy and enjoyable too. The same is true of silence at the right moment. Once the students pose, the teacher usually has to give some verbal instructions. After that, there's a moment of silence so they can really focus on their breathing.

What happens in the middle of the world can be a place of great tranquility, which allows students to experience the form without interruption. Quiet moments could also be a good time for meditation and yoga.