Frequently Asked Questions
How long are the classes?
Classes run for approximately one hour. If it is the first class in a program there will be time allocated to introduce the modality and the elements of the program.
What should I wear to an Esoteric Yoga class?
Warm, comfortable clothing is best.
What do I need to bring?
This depends on whether the Esoteric Yoga class will be done laying down or sitting in chairs. If using chairs it is suggested to bring cushions for additional support. If you are laying down it is recommended to bring a mat or something supportive to lay on, blankets or a cover and a pillow or cushions.
I’m not very flexible, will I be able to do Esoteric Yoga?
Esoteric Yoga does not require flexibility or physical ability. Classes can be adapted so that everyone can participate.
I have a back problem/injury, can I still do Esoteric Yoga?
Yes. It is recommended you discuss any injuries/physical limitations with your Esoteric Yoga practitioner as classes can be adjusted to accommodate your bodies abilities. It is recommended to bring extra cushions for under your knees, behind your back or sitting on. Esoteric Yoga provides a supportive space for you to feel the underlying causes of physical problems.
Will Esoteric Yoga help me relax?
Esoteric Yoga has been found to support people to de-stress and relax. Each class provides valuable tools that can be applied throughout the day and within all situations.
What is stillness?
Stillness is a quality of being and a state in which we allow our natural awareness to speak to us. Read more on the stillness.
Why can stillness be challenging?
Stillness can be challenging because we are so used to distracting ourselves. When we let go of the outer distractions and turn our attention inwards to the quality of stillness we open ourselves to more awareness. Stillness opens our awareness to the impact of our daily choices on our health and well-being.
Why don’t we do much movement?
The purpose of Esoteric Yoga is to develop stillness, to bring awareness to the quality of our movements and to recognise the difference that quality makes to the way we feel and live. This is done through simple movements such as moving our legs, sitting up, laying down and opening and closing our eyes. The focus is on the quality of the movement rather than just the movement itself.
Why do I get agitated/uncomfortable when we don’t move?
As movement can be used as a form of distraction, when there is no movement there is an opportunity to feel all that is going on in our body. Our body is with us with every choice we make in life, therefore the moment we stop we begin to feel how we have been living. Any choices that are causing us pain, restriction or any physical conditions will be felt and there may be a tendency to not want to feel this.
Why is there an emphasis on gentleness and what is the purpose of gentleness?
Gentleness is the gateway, so to speak, to feeling our body and developing our awareness. If we are stimulated it is very difficult to keep the mind focused within the body. It is through the body, and in a gentle quality, that we can begin to feel what is happening within us physically, mentally, emotionally and energetically. This awareness aids us to feel and play a greater part in our own health and well-being.
What is conscious presence?
Conscious presence is keeping our mind together with what we are doing. For example, if we are walking up some stairs, our mind is focused on the movements of our body as we take each step. This is different to walking up the stairs and thinking about something that happened two weeks ago. Both may look the same, but both have a completely different effect on our body, our health and our well-being. Conscious presence is being consciously aware of what we are doing with our body and our thoughts in any moment.
Why are there no postures in Esoteric Yoga?
Esoteric Yoga presents to us the science of movement and how the quality of our movements determine our energetic quality and state of being. There are no postures in Esoteric Yoga as it is the quality of the movement, not the posture itself which affect our state of being. The positions that are used within a class are simply those movements that we would do in the course of a day. Read more on the science of movement.
I can’t stay in a seated position for a long time as it hurts, why is this and what do you recommend?
Being able to sit on the floor with the legs outstretched, a position used in Esoteric Yoga, requires a certain strength in the musculoskeletal system, the abdominal, back, hip and leg muscles. If our lifestyle does not include some form of exercise to keep our body balanced and healthy it may be difficult to stay in the seated position for lengths of time. If this is the case it is recommended to bring along to the classes enough cushions to support your self. You may like to bend one knee up and hold the knee as a support. You may also find that sitting against a wall helps. It is also recommended to seek professional assistance for strengthening the physical body through a program of gentle exercises as part of a well-being program. A balanced musculoskeletal system is an important part of our health and well-being.
Why don’t we stretch?
Esoteric Yoga is for developing our awareness and the quality of stillness within the body. It is not aimed at flexibility or developing strength. While flexibility is not the focus, stillness can allow a feeling of spaciousness and ease within the body, which is usually why we want to stretch in the first place.
Why do I fall asleep in Esoteric Yoga?
We can fall asleep in Esoteric Yoga for a number of reasons:
Where has this come from?
Esoteric Yoga was founded in 1999 by Serge Benhayon of Universal Medicine. Read more on the background of Esoteric Yoga.
How can I train in Esoteric Yoga?
If you would like to register your interest for future training opportunities to become an Esoteric Yoga presenter, please visit the yoga training page. Training courses are being developed and will be available in the future. When training is available it will be announced via this website.
Where can I read further about Esoteric Yoga?
If you would like to explore further enriching articles about Esoteric Yoga please visit: https://www.unimedliving.com/yoga
Classes run for approximately one hour. If it is the first class in a program there will be time allocated to introduce the modality and the elements of the program.
What should I wear to an Esoteric Yoga class?
Warm, comfortable clothing is best.
What do I need to bring?
This depends on whether the Esoteric Yoga class will be done laying down or sitting in chairs. If using chairs it is suggested to bring cushions for additional support. If you are laying down it is recommended to bring a mat or something supportive to lay on, blankets or a cover and a pillow or cushions.
I’m not very flexible, will I be able to do Esoteric Yoga?
Esoteric Yoga does not require flexibility or physical ability. Classes can be adapted so that everyone can participate.
I have a back problem/injury, can I still do Esoteric Yoga?
Yes. It is recommended you discuss any injuries/physical limitations with your Esoteric Yoga practitioner as classes can be adjusted to accommodate your bodies abilities. It is recommended to bring extra cushions for under your knees, behind your back or sitting on. Esoteric Yoga provides a supportive space for you to feel the underlying causes of physical problems.
Will Esoteric Yoga help me relax?
Esoteric Yoga has been found to support people to de-stress and relax. Each class provides valuable tools that can be applied throughout the day and within all situations.
What is stillness?
Stillness is a quality of being and a state in which we allow our natural awareness to speak to us. Read more on the stillness.
Why can stillness be challenging?
Stillness can be challenging because we are so used to distracting ourselves. When we let go of the outer distractions and turn our attention inwards to the quality of stillness we open ourselves to more awareness. Stillness opens our awareness to the impact of our daily choices on our health and well-being.
Why don’t we do much movement?
The purpose of Esoteric Yoga is to develop stillness, to bring awareness to the quality of our movements and to recognise the difference that quality makes to the way we feel and live. This is done through simple movements such as moving our legs, sitting up, laying down and opening and closing our eyes. The focus is on the quality of the movement rather than just the movement itself.
Why do I get agitated/uncomfortable when we don’t move?
As movement can be used as a form of distraction, when there is no movement there is an opportunity to feel all that is going on in our body. Our body is with us with every choice we make in life, therefore the moment we stop we begin to feel how we have been living. Any choices that are causing us pain, restriction or any physical conditions will be felt and there may be a tendency to not want to feel this.
Why is there an emphasis on gentleness and what is the purpose of gentleness?
Gentleness is the gateway, so to speak, to feeling our body and developing our awareness. If we are stimulated it is very difficult to keep the mind focused within the body. It is through the body, and in a gentle quality, that we can begin to feel what is happening within us physically, mentally, emotionally and energetically. This awareness aids us to feel and play a greater part in our own health and well-being.
What is conscious presence?
Conscious presence is keeping our mind together with what we are doing. For example, if we are walking up some stairs, our mind is focused on the movements of our body as we take each step. This is different to walking up the stairs and thinking about something that happened two weeks ago. Both may look the same, but both have a completely different effect on our body, our health and our well-being. Conscious presence is being consciously aware of what we are doing with our body and our thoughts in any moment.
Why are there no postures in Esoteric Yoga?
Esoteric Yoga presents to us the science of movement and how the quality of our movements determine our energetic quality and state of being. There are no postures in Esoteric Yoga as it is the quality of the movement, not the posture itself which affect our state of being. The positions that are used within a class are simply those movements that we would do in the course of a day. Read more on the science of movement.
I can’t stay in a seated position for a long time as it hurts, why is this and what do you recommend?
Being able to sit on the floor with the legs outstretched, a position used in Esoteric Yoga, requires a certain strength in the musculoskeletal system, the abdominal, back, hip and leg muscles. If our lifestyle does not include some form of exercise to keep our body balanced and healthy it may be difficult to stay in the seated position for lengths of time. If this is the case it is recommended to bring along to the classes enough cushions to support your self. You may like to bend one knee up and hold the knee as a support. You may also find that sitting against a wall helps. It is also recommended to seek professional assistance for strengthening the physical body through a program of gentle exercises as part of a well-being program. A balanced musculoskeletal system is an important part of our health and well-being.
Why don’t we stretch?
Esoteric Yoga is for developing our awareness and the quality of stillness within the body. It is not aimed at flexibility or developing strength. While flexibility is not the focus, stillness can allow a feeling of spaciousness and ease within the body, which is usually why we want to stretch in the first place.
Why do I fall asleep in Esoteric Yoga?
We can fall asleep in Esoteric Yoga for a number of reasons:
- Sleeping may be an indication of a level of tiredness and exhaustion that we have been running in. As there is little movement and distraction, the moment we get the opportunity to stop the tiredness and exhaustion can be felt and the body is given permission to let go and rest.
- The stillness offered within an Esoteric Yoga class can also feel very safe, which invites people to let go and at times fall asleep.
- As Esoteric Yoga is a self-healing modality, sleeping in a class is also known as a way the body naturally heals itself. This is why Esoteric Yoga can be deeply restorative and rejuvenating.
- Falling asleep can also reflect a level of checking out that is happening during the day. Checking out is when we shut down the awareness that is naturally there, we do it when we don't want to feel what we can feel.
Where has this come from?
Esoteric Yoga was founded in 1999 by Serge Benhayon of Universal Medicine. Read more on the background of Esoteric Yoga.
How can I train in Esoteric Yoga?
If you would like to register your interest for future training opportunities to become an Esoteric Yoga presenter, please visit the yoga training page. Training courses are being developed and will be available in the future. When training is available it will be announced via this website.
Where can I read further about Esoteric Yoga?
If you would like to explore further enriching articles about Esoteric Yoga please visit: https://www.unimedliving.com/yoga