After their first yoga class people often report that they’ve slept better and they feel taller and more confident.
Yoga improves overall fitness, overcomes fears, develops better concentration, improves self awareness and a sense of well being. So if we feel good about ourselves, we have greater self acceptance and inner peace and our relationships with others are also enhanced. Yoga can be enjoyed by all people and is a complete holistic system for promoting physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. Yoga is one of the greatest treats you can give yourself.
What is yoga?
Yoga was developed in India about 220BC, many classes have been modified and westernised but a traditional framework gives a systematic session with the most overall benefits. Today most yoga practices involve asana, which is a program of physical postures providing flexibility, strength, stamina and stillness, pranayama /breathing techniques and dhyani involving meditation and relaxation.
Yoga involves the simple act of co-ordinating breathing and moving with mindful focus and awareness, paying attention to alignment and balance.
How does yoga work?
The Body
The asanas are designed to open the many channels of the body—especially the main channel, the spine—so that energy can flow freely. The spine becomes stronger and straighter, posture improved Many poses are weight bearing which maintains our stability and bone strength. Being aware of our alignment makes opposing muscle action more balanced bringing strength to weak areas and softening of tight spots so our joints stack up better and there is less risk of arthritis. Slow stretching is a wonderful feeling.
Our Breath, /Life Force
Physiologically, improved breathing and increased oxygen uptake aids our circulation and energy levels. Deeper slower more efficient breathing gives more oxygen to our cells, slows our heart rate, engaging our vagus nerve and parasympathetic aspect of our autonomic nervous system /improving our Vagal Tone, so that we become calmer – cool, calm and connected! Asanas which compress and release our organs improve metabolism and digestion.
The Mind
The body is a tool for the mind. Mindful movements enhance our awareness of movement and our position in space improving our sensory perception, kinaesthesia and co-ordination, helping to sharpen our neural pathways from the brain to the periphery.
Yoga relaxes us. During yoga practise we focus on our body, our breath and our mind – we become absorbed in the present moment, so that it is like a break from the occupance of our usual mind – like a holiday, it refreshes us. Random thoughts minimise, mind chatter slows. Over time these effects flow into real life and the benefits of stress reduction occur. The state of yoga is when the mind is still, stillness fosters awareness – when we have forgotten something we often freeze momentarily as we try to remember.
Our Spirit
Yoga enhances our often suppressed spirituality
Routine yoga practise involves keeping a healthy discipline which makes life feel better. Determination and will power are added benefits. By holding an asana we integrate body, breath and mind, gaining self awareness which is the key to healing.
Yoga is a moving meditation. Westerners are more geared for the physical benefits but if this were all yoga did, then it wouldn’t be the great success story that it is.
Robyn teaches a mixed class, designed over time to suit the mix of a small community, each week there is a different theme to enhance variety and interest and ensure overall balance of energy. She draws mostly on traditional forms of yoga – Satyananda, Iyengar, and Astanga with guided modifications to suit all levels.