About Yoga:
Yoga is a word which has many meanings to many people. Nowadays it is commonly associated with
fitness, health and the vastly expanding well being industry. However, fundamentally it is derived from the
Sanskrit word meaning to "yoke.....join" and "unite". It's a very special term, but more importantly it is a way to be, a
physical and mental practice which involves the uniting "mind, body , breath and soul" with the intention
of bringing about a wholesome connection with our divine Self, a transformation unique to the individual
who practices it.Traditionally in Yoga we try to cultivate a clear calm and balanced attitude reducing the erratic nature of the
mind with its tendency to flit from one thought to another. Asana, the physical practice of postures is our starting point.
Its a special kind of exercise which works in harmony with our breath and is both dynamic and static in form. These
wonderful movements work in a unique way to cleanse the body and strengthen our muscles, joints connective tissue and
circulation system. It has a positive influence on our endocrine system which is responsible for controlling hormones
including stress and anxiety. Traditionally, thousands of years ago in ancient India, Yoga was practiced by Sages and men
seeking spiritual awakening including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists alike. However today in our modern world, Yoga
is practiced by men, women and children, old, young, those seeking to improve their health and those with disabilities and
life limiting illnesses. It has as much relevance and benefits for those without a religion, as well
as for those with a strong religious faith. Yoga can bring great benefits to all whom practice, it is truly inclusive and holistic.
fitness, health and the vastly expanding well being industry. However, fundamentally it is derived from the
Sanskrit word meaning to "yoke.....join" and "unite". It's a very special term, but more importantly it is a way to be, a
physical and mental practice which involves the uniting "mind, body , breath and soul" with the intention
of bringing about a wholesome connection with our divine Self, a transformation unique to the individual
who practices it.Traditionally in Yoga we try to cultivate a clear calm and balanced attitude reducing the erratic nature of the
mind with its tendency to flit from one thought to another. Asana, the physical practice of postures is our starting point.
Its a special kind of exercise which works in harmony with our breath and is both dynamic and static in form. These
wonderful movements work in a unique way to cleanse the body and strengthen our muscles, joints connective tissue and
circulation system. It has a positive influence on our endocrine system which is responsible for controlling hormones
including stress and anxiety. Traditionally, thousands of years ago in ancient India, Yoga was practiced by Sages and men
seeking spiritual awakening including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists alike. However today in our modern world, Yoga
is practiced by men, women and children, old, young, those seeking to improve their health and those with disabilities and
life limiting illnesses. It has as much relevance and benefits for those without a religion, as well
as for those with a strong religious faith. Yoga can bring great benefits to all whom practice, it is truly inclusive and holistic.
Elements of Practice:
Asana
We practice physical postures to help encourage strength, flexibility and lightness of the the body.
With time we become strong and supple, an essential part of our physical and mental well-being in
typical everyday life as well as during our yoga practice. Asana is about gaining deeper self
awareness whilst both moving with control into a fixed posture and at the same time being still within
the posture. However the real internal work is not about a attaining the perfect outward shape. Many of us live
with individual imperfect bodies which are not designed with the same template. The internal effort is physical
and mental to gain a true sense of just being alive; learning to be bodily aware and finding a relationship with
ourselves and the space around us. Asana teaches us so much about ourselves and
we aim to work with non competitiveness, with compassion and a positive attitude that respects our
own individuality; our strengths and our limitations inform us. We embrace Asana with a sense of
comfort and ease, seeking balance, peace, joy and calm both on and off the mat. However that is not to say
that Yoga is easy, it has a tendancy to locate parts of the body which carry tension or stress and can feel
uncomfortable to the beginner. Yoga really becomes a way of living.
With time we become strong and supple, an essential part of our physical and mental well-being in
typical everyday life as well as during our yoga practice. Asana is about gaining deeper self
awareness whilst both moving with control into a fixed posture and at the same time being still within
the posture. However the real internal work is not about a attaining the perfect outward shape. Many of us live
with individual imperfect bodies which are not designed with the same template. The internal effort is physical
and mental to gain a true sense of just being alive; learning to be bodily aware and finding a relationship with
ourselves and the space around us. Asana teaches us so much about ourselves and
we aim to work with non competitiveness, with compassion and a positive attitude that respects our
own individuality; our strengths and our limitations inform us. We embrace Asana with a sense of
comfort and ease, seeking balance, peace, joy and calm both on and off the mat. However that is not to say
that Yoga is easy, it has a tendancy to locate parts of the body which carry tension or stress and can feel
uncomfortable to the beginner. Yoga really becomes a way of living.
Pranayama
We begin with getting to know our own unique breathing, observing the breath like a wittness.
With time we progress to pranayama," breath-control" which helps to bring calm clarity to the
mind. It can increase our energy and sense of being alive! Prana is the individual and universal energy- life
force which sustains each and everyone of us.
With time we progress to pranayama," breath-control" which helps to bring calm clarity to the
mind. It can increase our energy and sense of being alive! Prana is the individual and universal energy- life
force which sustains each and everyone of us.
meditation
With the use of many techniques, we learn to focus our inner attention, for example, using a
specific object to look at, mantra to think of or repeat, a visualization to contemplate or the breath
to listen to. This can be developed within our Asana and Pranayama practices too. We hope to
move into meditation, empty the clutter from the mind and illuminate the true nature of Self. Time and patience
is needed, little and often is the key!
specific object to look at, mantra to think of or repeat, a visualization to contemplate or the breath
to listen to. This can be developed within our Asana and Pranayama practices too. We hope to
move into meditation, empty the clutter from the mind and illuminate the true nature of Self. Time and patience
is needed, little and often is the key!
Active Relaxation
Always at the end of class, and sometimes at the beginning we practice active relaxation, remaining awake,
but also absent! This restorative posture allows us time to let go of all
tensions and stresses, thoughts and worries. Outwardly, it appears relatively easy for some of us to lie still but
inwardly it can be a difficult posture to master! As Vandna Scaravelli Says, "Relaxation is not the act of just doing
nothing! It is actively the letting go of tension."
but also absent! This restorative posture allows us time to let go of all
tensions and stresses, thoughts and worries. Outwardly, it appears relatively easy for some of us to lie still but
inwardly it can be a difficult posture to master! As Vandna Scaravelli Says, "Relaxation is not the act of just doing
nothing! It is actively the letting go of tension."
