WHAT IS YOGA?

Yoga was developed in India over 5000 years ago. Yoga is an ancient psycho-physical discipline that aims at uniting the body, mind and spirit. Yoga aims to improve every aspect of your life-postures for a fit and supple body, breathing and meditation for the mind and spirit. The word ‘yoga’ means to join or to yoke, implying the integration of every aspect of a human being- from the innermost to the external. Traditionally, the goal of yoga is a union with the Absolute, or with your own true self. In today’s world the focus is more on the down-to-earth benefits of yoga, including improved physical fitness, weight loss, mental clarity, greater self-understanding, stress control and general well-being.

2000 years ago the Indian sage Patanjali is believed to have written a treatise on yoga called the Yoga Sutra. The Yoga Sutras summarise the various aspects of yoga and outline the eight limbs of yoga: the yamas (restraints), niyamas (observances), asana (postures), pranayama (breathing), pratyahara (detachment), dharana (concentration), dhyani (meditation), and samadhi (trance or a state of bliss).

Most people practicing yoga today are engaged in the third limb, Asana, which refers to postures or yoga poses. Although there are many styles of yoga, the differences are usually about emphasis, such as focusing on strict alignment of the body, coordination of breath and movement, holding the postures, or the flow from one posture to another.

Yoga is not simply to be able to twist yourself into some impossible posture. It is about fine tuning your body to a state where your mind, body and spirit exist in complete harmony. Most yoga classes include instructions for proper breathing which help in improving oxygen flow and focus your mind; postures or asanas that stretch the body, build tone and strength, increase flexibility, and improve coordination and deep relaxation for stress relief.

In today’s world yoga is seen as the complete mind and body workout and is the perfect antidote to the stresses of modern living.

Uncategorized

February 23, 2012

Leave a comment

Feel good in 15 minutes?

Most people who don’t exercise generally believe that their life is too busy to go to the gym or even take some time out at home. In a world where time seems to have become more of a constraint, and health is a bigger issue, for many Yoga has become the answer in maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

The beauty of Yoga is it can be as short as 15 minutes and can be shaped around your lifestyle. You can do it at your office, your home, your desk. Yoga can be practiced almost anywhere. All you need for the following exercises (Asanas) is 15 minutes – and that’s all it takes to get started.

Remember, it is ideal to practice Yoga on an empty stomach. A morning practice will help you revitalize and charge the mind and body for the busy day ahead. Likewise, Meditation and Relaxation Techniques at night will provide a peaceful sleep akin to hibernation. So 15 minutes is all it takes.

Uncategorized

February 17, 2012

Leave a comment

Real Men Do Yoga

Most people who regularly practice Yoga are aware of the multitude of physiological and psychological benefits associated with it. Men however, often dismiss Yoga as a practice more suitable for woman, or that it is some sort of namby-pamby cosmic nonsense.

It is a shame that this stereotype still remains about Yoga, especially when Yoga can be specifically targeted to not only prevent, but also rehabilitate the typical injuries men receive from playing sport, work, being inactive, and strength training.

There is a myriad of injuries which stem from a lack of core stability and strength, and guess what – Yoga for men is primarily tailored to greatly enhance core strength and flexibility.

Some of the greatest athletes on the planet practice Yoga on a regular basis. From tennis players to golf, American football to rugby.

If your perception of Yoga is still identified as some form of exercise for sissies – then ask the All Blacks – who incorporate Yoga in to their weekly routine of rigorous exercise to maintain excellent flexibility and muscle strength.

Times have moved on. And the old worn-out attitudes towards Yoga are becoming a thing of the past. Yoga for men constantly features in distinctive magazines such as Sports Illustrated, Men’s Health and Men’s Fitness.

Yoga could play a vital role in jump starting a completely fresh and happy-healthy lifestyle by improving your flexibility, muscle conditioning and strength, lose weight and even increase testosterone levels.

In the fast paced world we now live in, time is much sought after commodity, so it is often easy to make excuses why we cannot take time out to train or practice. Time constraints are only for those who are unwilling to make a change in their daily routine.

For whatever reason, many people feel nervous or tentative about making some change in their day to day. The beauty of Yoga is it can be practised in the comfort of your own home, and if you begin to feel comfortable with it then taking those steps towards a class will be much easier.

There are many Yoga sessions which only take 15 minutes. That’s all the time it takes to reap the fruits and feel much better both physically and mentally. Fifteen minutes could be the time spent dazing out a window at work or home.

Set yourself that little goal of getting on your Yoga mat and just breath. And remember, if the All Blacks are man enough to do it, then surely – you have no excuses.

Uncategorized

fitness yoga

December 14, 2011

Leave a comment

Do I need to be flexible?

Yoga is designed to benefit people of all levels of flexibility, contrary to beliefs that people who practice Yoga are borderline contortionists. Yoga is about stretching, lengthening, toning and relaxing the body and mind – no matter how flexible you are. Yoga will help you to become flexible, and the more flexible you become, the more you will reap the fruits of a better way of life. Yoga classes are warm, friendly, welcoming environments that cater for beginners of all shape, size, ability and age. Adopting a Yoga lifestyle will vastly increase your sense of health and happiness, and this can be a fun and enjoyable experience achieved by learning Yoga for beginners. Ultimately, you do not need to be flexible to do Yoga. The only prerequisite is motivating yourself to take that the first step, and find a class where you can start your journey to a happy-healthy lifestyle through Yoga.

Yoga for beginners

December 5, 2011

Leave a comment

Which yoga style is right for me?

Nearly all styles are rooted in Hatha yoga which focuses on developing control of the body through Asanas or postures. It is a common misconception that you need to be flexible to do yoga. Yoga helps you to become flexible, so the more inflexible you are, the more benefit you will gain from it.

No style of yoga is better than another. It is simply a matter of personal preference. The realisation of how we are now and what we want to get out of yoga is important when trying to make the most informed choice from the many disciplines available. This is true no matter how experienced we are.

Every style of yoga will incorporate a Yin and Yang (relaxing and dynamic) approach to varying degrees. Styles which are predominately Yang are active, dynamic and energetic eg. Bikram, Jivamukti and Ashtanga  Styles which are more Yin focused are by comparison more passive, receptive and internal eg. Samadhi yoga and Sahaja yoga. Styles such as Hatha and Sivananda yoga use a more balanced combination of the two. These blends of both Yin and Yang doctrines complement one another in a way best suited to individual practitioners

Yoga for beginners

December 5, 2011

1 Comment