What is Yoga ? There are hundreds of meanings of yoga. According to the classical theory of yoga, yoga conceptually means a way of  life. Yoga in general aims to help one overcome the negative structural mindset.
	What is the meaning of the term “Yoga”? Where did it originate? The word yoga has its derivation in the original Sanskrit verb “YUG” – which means to be united. Yoga therefore, implies the union between body,  mind, consciousness & super consciousness. It is believed that yoga has originated from the almighty GOD Himself   - from ancient Vedas of Hindu culture.
	Who is Maharshri Patanjali? What is his contribution to yoga? Maharshri Patanjali is known as the Father of yoga. He was the first man to compile and to systematize yoga in a metaphysical whole. Maharshri Patanjali actually successfully modify and synthesize this subject which was not preached and practiced in the systematic form, before. The biggest contribution of Maharshi is  his conceptualization of entire yoga philosophy into eight distinct, easily understandable steps viz. Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayam, Pratyahara, Dhrana, Dhyana, and Samadhi. It is a well accepted theory that practicing all these steps, one can easily sublime his/her moorings of animal life.
	How long will it take for me to learn yoga? As I mentioned before, yoga is the way of life. If you are keenly interested in practicing yoga, you  will have to learn five managements i.e. (1) Body Management  (2) Mind Management (3) Emotional Management (4) Social Management (5) Spiritual Management.   Now, it depends on you - as to what & how much you want to learn. It may take one hour to one year to learn yoga. What is my observation of teaching yoga practice for last so many years is that, one needs at least twenty hours to learn basic yoga.
	I believe that only sanyasins, yogis,  sadhus and  saints can learn and practice yoga. Is it really for me-  a social person with a demanding business/job and a rich family life? A common man with a poor understanding of life believes that yoga is for special group of people like sadhus and sanyasins. In fact right from a child aged 6 years to man of 90 years can learn yoga. At our Yoga Centre, we have successfully been teaching yoga to intrauterine baby i.e. a baby who is not even born and is in uterine cavity.  I, personally, believe that common people like us who have hundreds of social and other responsibilities,  must learn yoga as early as possible.
	I am overweight will I be able to reduce weight learning yoga? If  this is to be answered in one word, the answer is an EMPHATIC YES.  What is needed is to understand yoga as a classical method – pioneered by Maharshi Patanjali and preached and taught by us at Yog-Kaivalyam.
	I am normally overstressed due to pressure at work. How can yoga help me overcome stress? The central focus of yoga or yogic philosophy is your MIND. Stress is related to mind, and so once the mind is repaired, stress is overcome, easily.
	I suffer from Cardiac problems/Hypertension/Diabetes… Can I still learn and practice yoga? It must again be emphatically noted that the entire world with all of its theories of  modern science has accepted Yoga as one of the cornerstones of  therapy. If one is suffering from these diseases, then according to me, he/she should learn yoga as early as possible.  In fact, we have been carrying out specialized research on yoga and the above disorders.
	Will be able to stop medication for the above diseases, if I learn yoga? The answer to this question can be BOTH – yes and no. Yoga – when looked upon in its most pure form – from the highest philosophical angle – it is perceived as not a therapy per se, but as a way of life. So, it is possible that one learns and practices yoga for years together and yet may be on conventional medication due to sufferance from severe diseases.

First, the way yoga can help in such cases is best reflected from the lives of the great Indian yogis like Swami Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Bhagwan Raman Maharshi. These saints did suffer from cancer but being able to imbibe Yoga to the fullest – had an altogether indifferent attitude to these diseases and so didn’t suffer from any pain arising due to the same. They still maintained a very balanced state of mind amidst sufferance. The sole point is that yoga helps in dealing with the diseases and not merely curing the diseases.

Nevertheless, it should be emphatically noted that there have been instances of hundreds of people not being on any form of medication for years altogether – because of their highest level of understanding of yoga and because of really imbibing yoga as their way of life.

So, everything depends on an individual and his/her ability to practice yoga to the fullest truth – confirming fully to the practices that we preach in our discourses; and then can surely be assured to be off the medication for the rest of the life.

I have learnt that yoga teachers insist on one to follow a strict regimen with respect to diet, daily routine, etc I think I cannot follow all these strict routines. Can yoga still help me? Yoga means self-imposed discipline. If one really wants to lead a good quality of life, then one will have to follow some rules and have discipline in life.

The beauty of yoga is in the fact that it teaches how to imbibe automatically these rules and regulations into ones’ life – it does not enforce anything. Yoga truly advocates developing an attitude and thereby moulding the behavior and not enforcing a behavior.

And as per our observations, imbibing yogic practice is not as difficult as it apparently is made out to be – provided one is under a qualified supervision.

	I have been practicing asanas / pranayams. What additionally shall I learn in the course? Yogasana and Pranayams are the only two initial steps in yoga training and practice, and actually are perceived to be only a means and not the end, in true yogic theory. They represent only 16% of the yoga philosophy. We conduct advanced course training of yoga, exactly to impart the remaining 84% of the yoga philosophy.
	I suffer from depression and anxiety and have been on medication. Can yoga help me overcome these disorders? Yes, indeed yoga can help. You may additionally need counseling first to get going. So, please look into the link Personal Counseling on our home page.
	I think I am fit-mentally as well as physically and I do not practice yoga. Why I should I still learn yoga? First let me congratulate you. For, if you really are as you feel you say; then you indeed are a yogi only – whether you name it or not. The only further progress, which we feel is possible, is to really be able to know oneself. Self realization should be the ultimate goal for any person, we believe.

But, the main issue under consideration here is, are we really what we perceive ourselves to be?

Being fit and fine today; can we boast of a concrete guarantee that;

one – there is a very less likelihood of ourselves suffering from any such disease in future and
two – and that is more important – no matter whatever hurdles we may face in our life in future – physical, social, financial or whatever - we shall remain nonchalant, cool, composed and balanced?

Unfortunately, not many people in the end can turn this answer to affirmation, as per our observation. As per what we believe, the answer this can be a FIRM YES, only if one fully understands yoga and absorbs yoga as a way of life.

I have already been practicing rhythmic breathing. How is it different from yoga? As per our observation, hardly 1% people actually know how to breathe. So, let me first congratulate you, if you know rhythmic breathing.

Pranayama, actually is the science of breathing. It is not merely rhythmic breathing or breathing exercises only. But, it is a combination of various other related practices to make one’s mind and emotions; calm, steady and positive.

Pranayama is a driving force of thought processes, because it involves a deeper insight into breathing like slow breathing, deep breathing, forced breathing, balanced breathing and rhythmic breathing.

	How is yoga different form 3SRB-3 step rhythmic breathing? The answer to the question above may please be referred.
	I know Reiki. How is yoga different from Reiki? Reiki is like a very small subset of all that is practiced in yoga. Reiki does not emphasize anything about the life management which is the core component of yoga. The difference can compared as to be between a puddle and an ocean.
	Yoga training as per my knowledge, is very expensive. Can I afford it? The term expensive is relative. But, all the same it should be kept in mind that the quality of a yoga teacher, his/her own practicing of t yoga are more important than the physical comforts which are normally found in these so called expensive yoga training centres. At yogakaivalyam, we emphasize on quality and not on luxury.  If one wishes to dine in a five start hotel, naturally one does pay more – but does one necessarily pay more for the better quality of food or for the additional comforts & luxury that one gets ?
	I lead a very busy professional and social life. If I am not able to spare time, why should I learn yoga? One of the most often quoted saying is “Fools learn from their own mistakes while he who learns from the mistakes committed by the others is a wise persona.”  With the kind of benefits that have been mentioned at various places here; it should be clear that one has to spare time to get into the mix of the wise people, rather than join the herd of the fools.
	My child is a couch-potato. Can he benefit from yoga? Yes, definitely. Send him/her to Yogkaivalyam or get in touch with one of our franchisee. Please look into the link Yoga for children in this website.
	My child’s behavior is too undisciplined and erratic. Can yoga increase the power of concentration and learning/ grasping abilities of my child? Please look into the link Yoga for children in this website.
	I do not want to join yoga classes, but want your help in overcoming some of my personal problem. What should I do? You should go in for Personal counseling. Please look into the link Counseling in this website.
	What is the difference between Basic course and the Advanced course? Is it necessary for me to do both the courses? If you think you will get more knowledge by doing a Master’s than you would go in for the same. The difference between the Basic and the Advanced course is exactly the same.  To be precise, in the basic course we emphasize only the basic body management while in the advanced course – true to the pure yogic theory – we focus on the life management. Please read FAQ above.
	What are the fees to be paid for joining the yoga classes? Please look into the link Programs on the main page.
	I know of many professional and renowned yoga training classes. Why should I learn yoga from you-the Yogkaivalyam? Yogkaivalyam is a yoga training centre of a unique nature. The broad differences are - it is owned and  managed by a qualified doctor (yours truly) who indeed has a basic knowledge of body, mind and diseases.   - it is run by teachers who have tasted and digested yoga as their way of life. They are the sadhakas – doing  yoga sadhana for years. - generally, it has been observed that professional yoga teachers by and large restrict the yoga training to only asanas and pranayams. As can be seen from the link Programs, we teach life management consisting of not only Body management, but mind management, emotional management, social management and spiritual management – thus encompassing every facet of an individual’s personality. - at Yogkaivalyam, we not only conduct yoga training, but also carry out research on the disorders like diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart diseases etc.
	It is not convenient for me to join yoga classes at your centre. Can I get personalized yoga training at my home? Yes, it is indeed possible. Please get in touch with the management at Yogkaivalyam.
	I am not based in Surat city. Is it essential for me to come down to Surat and stay there to learn yoga from you? How else, can I learn yoga from you? It is easy mutually if you come down to Surat and stay at least for 4-5 days. But, please get in touch with the centre; as it can be worked out otherwise, too.
	I am not an Indian resident. How can I approach you to undertake yoga training? The easiest way is to be in India at least for a week. But, otherwise, we do conduct yoga training abroad also – provided the entire management and organization is taken care off. In any case, please get in touch with the management at the Yogkaivalyam yoga centre.