The word yoga means “union” in Sanskrit – the language of ancient India where yoga originated. It is the union between the mind, body and spirit and yoga helps bring all three of these into alignment with each other, so you feel better and healthier as a whole unit.
Yoga is open to everyone of all ages, creeds and nationality and it doesn’t matter what age you are, your level of fitness or your flexibility range. Yoga meets you where you are at and we progress slowly from there.
What are the benefits of Hatha Yoga:
- Stretches your muscles
- Increases range of mobility in joints
- Stretches soft tissues
- Improves muscle tone, strength and endurance
- Increases flexibility and strength bringing about better posture
- Increases body awareness
- Increases lung capacity improving sports performance and endurance.
- Promotes relaxation in the body
- Reduces and relieves the fight, flight and freeze response in the body
- Improves concentration and focus0
- Lowers blood pressure and slows heart rate
- Boosts the immune system
- Slows the aging process.
- Teaches self-acceptance
- Boosts self-confidence and self-esteem
- Improves energy levels.
- Therapeutic yoga
- More energy and less fatigue
- Improves sleep through relaxation techniques
- Relief of physical, mental and emotional tension
Yoga for me personally is about getting to know and understand our bodies, having fun, whilst enjoying the experience as we go through it. It is learning about where we hold tension and the effect that has on our body but physically and mentally. Breathing and Meditation will calm your mind and nervous system whilst the asana’s will help you stretch out and free up your body. The whole experience ensures that all of you gets satisifed and no part of you is left with a craving.
Take it at your own pace, allow your body to adjust and place a happy memory into your joints and muscles, your body will remember and hold the memory and it is on this that we develop and deepen our practice over the weeks.
Yoga is really about learning to create balance in all aspects of your life and in the body by developing both strength and flexibility. This is achieved by performing various postures which has a specific physical benefit. My hope is that yoga becomes part of your every day life and your every day life become part of yoga.