What is Yoga?
Yoga is a methodical and consistent practice of physical postures, breath control, relaxation, and mindfulness aimed at developing harmony in the body, mind and spirit. The practice entails low-impact postures (called asanas), breathing techniques (called pranayama), restorative postures and meditation. The word yoga, from the Sanskrit word yuj, means to join or connect.
Yoga is not a religion, and can be practised by persons of any faith or devotion.
Grace, beauty, strength, energy, and firmness adorn the body through Yoga. (Yoga Sutra, III.47)
Benefits of Yoga
Yoga improves your posture, balance, coordination and breathing. Alignment refers to how the head, shoulders, spine, hips, knees, and ankles relate and line up with each other. Balanced postural alignment creates a balanced muscular action around the joints and allows for each part of the body to work together in a fluid, integrated way.
Yoga develops strength, flexibility and has numerous health benefits.
The Sanskrit term Astanga refers to the eight principles or limbs of yoga.
- Yama: ethical behaviour towards our environment
- Niyama: attitude towards ourselves and rules of conduct
- Asana: practice of Yoga postures
- Pranayama: practice of Yoga breathing techniques
- Pratyahara: control of the 5 senses – sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch
- Dharana: focused concentration of the mind
- Dhyana: meditation techniques
- Samadhi: advanced meditation techniques
Benefits of Yoga
Yoga is a gentle way to improve your posture, balance, and coordination. Alignment refers to how the head, shoulders, spine, hips, knees, and ankles relate and line up with each other. Balanced postural alignment creates a balanced muscular action around the joints and allows for each part of the body to work together in a fluid, integrated way.
Yoga develops strength, flexibility and has numerous health benefits.
The Sanskrit term Astanga refers to the eight principles or limbs of yoga.
Yama: attitude towards our environment
Niyama: attitude towards ourselves
Asana: practice of postures
Pranayama: breathing techniques
Pratyahara: control of the 5 senses – sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch
Dharana: concentration techniques
Dhyana: meditation techniques
Samadhi: advanced meditation techniques
