Yoga

What is Yoga?

Yoga is a scientific system for purifying the body and the mind. There are many branches of yoga and Hatha Yoga is the branch that deals with the performance of body postures – or asanas, deep relaxation, breath control, cleansing processes and mental concentration. The result is a supple and relaxed body, increased vitality, radiant health and help in curing physical illness.

Yoga Poses

Many people think that yoga is just stretching. But while stretching is certainly involved, yoga is really about creating balance in the body through developing both strength and flexibility. This is done through the performance of poses or postures, each of which has specific physical benefits. The poses can be done quickly in succession, creating heat in the body through movement- (vinyasa style yoga) or more slowly to increase stamina and perfect the alignment of the pose. The poses are a constant, but the approach to them varies.

Yoga Practice

Yoga teachers will often refer to "your practice," which means your individual experience with yoga as it develops over time. The amazing thing about yoga is that your practice is always evolving and changing, so it never gets boring. Although the poses themselves do not change, your relationship to them will. Anyone can start a yoga practice, even if you don't feel like you are very flexible or very strong. These things will develop over time. Another great thing about thinking about "your practice" is that it encourages the noncompetitive spirit of yoga. One of the most difficult, but ultimately most liberating things about yoga is letting go of the ego and accepting that no one is better than anyone else. Everyone is just doing their best on any given day.

Yoga Classes

In addition to practicing the poses, yoga classes will include breath control (pranayama), deep relaxation, call and response chanting, meditation, and mental concentration.