Is Yoga your weekly treat or a way of life?
When I first started to practice yoga I could not wait for my weekly sessions. It was a refreshing change to the office environment that I worked in at the time. It helped break up my day and made me feel that there was more to my life than work, eat, sleep. It made me feel wonderful and I soon started more than one class a week.
Hatha Yoga is the physical form of classical yoga. This yoga emphasises methods of doing yoga poses (asana) and breathing exercises (pranayama) for physical health and well-being. It is a practical science that unites body, mind, breath and spirit to create balance and well-being. Hatha Yoga consists of held and moving postures, combined with tuning in to the breath. The alignment of the muscular and skeletal structures is an important focus of the asanas.
I soon started to feel both the physical and mental benefits of yoga. Some of the benefits of a regular practise are:
Builds strength, stamina and endurance
Improves balance, coordination and posture
Improves muscle tone and flexibility
Strengthens the immune system
Improves memory and concentration
Calms the mind, reduces tension and releases stress
Regular practice will help you control your emotions and thus lead a more fulfilling and satisfying life.
There are many different types of Yoga including
Karma yoga - in its simplest form, the action as well as the result of the action. Doing a task and not expecting any reward. Selfless service or the Yoga of Action.
Bhakti Yoga - the Yoga of Devotion. Usually shown by decorating an image with flowers, candles; Singing and prayer or mantra. It is said that Bhakti softens the heart and removes jealousy, hatred, lust, anger, egoism, pride and arrogance. It infuses joy, divine ecstasy, bliss, peace and knowledge. All cares, worries and anxieties, fears, mental torments and tribulations entirely vanish.
Raja Yoga - of which Asana is a part of. Yoga of the Eight Limbs. Which I will talk more about next newsletter.
Jnana yoga - Jnana is sanskrit for knowledge. Properly understanding the body and the soul.
It doesn't matter whether yoga is your weekly treat, perhaps an escape from the kids. Time for yourself. Perhaps a way to de-stress; a break from work at lunchtime or maybe for you just a physical work out. Maybe all of the above :0) It really doesn't matter, the point is that you practice yoga in whatever form you choose. What I do know is that the benefits are many an obviously the more you practice the greater the effect. Happy practicing.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
As of June 1 the class price will be £7 drop in. £35 for a 6 class pass - thats buy 5 classes and get one for FREE!!
Tuesday 26 May is the last Tuesday lunchtime class at The Complimentary Health Care Clinic. If you fancy a lunch time yoga class you can still come on Wednesday 12:30-1:30.
