Yoga means union
Yoga is a philosophy and way of life. It originated 5,000 years ago in India as a way to know all parts of yourself and balance your life. The word yoga comes from Sanskrit which means to unite or yoke together. When your physical, intellectual and spiritual selves are working together in union, one can experience self compassion and awareness. This union can then lead to calmness, clarity, sense of wellbeing, enthusiasm towards life, and peace of mind. In a nutshell, yoga brings mind, body and spirit into harmony.
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Anyone can practice yoga. Yoga’s physical and mental health benefits extend to all ages and fitness abilities. Yoga is not a religion, but a spiritual journey of self. In this journey, individuals may gain a personalized understanding of self, the world, universe, and their place within it.
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Traditionally there are four forms of yoga:
Gyan Yoga - The yoga of learning and understanding of life
Bhakti Yoga - The yoga of love and devotion to self and relationships
Karma Yoga - The yoga of selfless service and conscious choice making
Raja Yoga - The yoga of meditation and journeying inward
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In the world today, Yoga is experienced mainly through asana (postures) in a physical yoga class. Yoga asana is a part of Raja Yoga and has been practiced and systematized by many yoga schools in India, eventually branching out to other parts of the world. Yoga postures can increase your flexibility, strengthen muscles, improve posture, and balance all systems of the body. No wonder it’s become so popular.
There are endless styles of yoga asana to experience. I encourage you to try several before dedicating yourself to just one. Each of us have a unique mind body constitution. Through awareness of the effects of a yoga class or instructor we can find a best fit for ourselves. Practicing with friends can be a great way to spend time together, but the practice itself should be a personal one. For years I enjoyed different styles of yoga before deciding to become an instructor. I have now studied and teach two styles of yoga.
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I first trained at the the Chopra Center for Wellbeing to earn a 200 hour Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga certification. This style is deeply rooted in the Raja Yoga philosophy, highlighting 7 principles and the corresponding Chakras, 1 for each day of the week, to cultivate a deep understanding and awareness of self. The yoga asanas are based in Hatha style, and when practiced, create balance, flexibility, strength, and unity to the body and mind. This modality helped me understand the need to cultivate a practice that is best suited for the specific person. As a result, I earned additional certification hours learning to teach kids, Chair and Wounded Warrior yoga classes to help serve more people in their journey to wholeness.
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The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga are:
Sunday - Pure Potentiality
Monday - Giving and Receiving
Tuesday - Karma
Wednesday - Least Effort
Thursday - Intention and Desire
Friday - Detachment
Saturday - Dharma (Purpose)
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I've also earned a second 200 hour certification in Utterkashi, India, in the Himalayan mountains, at a Sivananda Ashram. I learned additional yogic practices known as Krias and Bandhas. Many of these practices are rarely seen in yoga classes. They must be performed with experienced supervision. Again the style of yoga asana leaned was traditional Hatha yoga. Pranayama, known as breath work, and Meditation were a focus in this study. I also travelled to a Sivananda Ashram, in the Bahamas, to work as a Karma Yogi to practice and understand Karma and Bhakti Yoga better.
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I have taught hundreds of yoga classes at the Chopra Center for Wellbeing, had the privilege to teach private and group classes at events, and assist students at teacher trainings. Since moving home to Seattle, I currently teach private clients as part of a personalized coaching experience. I would be thrilled to share my education and experience with you or your group. Please scroll down to contact me for more information.
This is what a student had to say:
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Treloar is a very gentle, compassionate, pleasant, and competent yoga instructor. Not only does she teach postures, she also helps you take in the full yoga experience. I have learned so much from her. She is great about explaining things in and outside of class in order that you both understand more and can find ways to listen to and help your own body work to its potential.
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Karen B, Bothell WA