Despite what many believe, Yoga is not a set of exercises or a meditation technique. It is a system and science of right living that encompasses all aspects of our life : physical body, mind and spirit. The word Yoga origins from the ancient Sanskrit word "Yuj" meaning "unity" or "oneness". This unity is the joining of the individual consciousness with the universal consciousness. On a more practical level, Yoga is a means of achieving harmony and balance between our body, mind and emotions. We do this through physical exercises to relax and still the body, breath work to focus the mind, and relaxation to quieten the body and mind.
When we practice Yoga, we might spend an hour a week on the mat, or we might expand it into our way of life. Yoga encourages us to understand ourselves; our essential nature and wholeness.
The most common mental block for beginners is the belief that they are not flexible enough to practice Yoga. With Yoga we just start from where we are. As long as our alignment is not harming our body, it is not important whether or not our pose looks graceful.
The Yoga Sutra compiled by Patanjali over two thousand years ago is considered the most important text in Yoga philosophy. The core of this text is an eight-limbed path which forms the structural framework for Yoga practice. The eight steps in brief includes moral observances, body postures, breathing, concentration and meditation practice.
There are many schools or branches of Yoga : Raja, Hatha, Jnana, Karma and Kundalini to name a few. Hatha Yoga which is the most well-known and widely practised these days, aims at balancing the mind and body through physical postures, breathing techniques and relaxation practices.
When we practice Yoga, we might spend an hour a week on the mat, or we might expand it into our way of life. Yoga encourages us to understand ourselves; our essential nature and wholeness.
The most common mental block for beginners is the belief that they are not flexible enough to practice Yoga. With Yoga we just start from where we are. As long as our alignment is not harming our body, it is not important whether or not our pose looks graceful.
The Yoga Sutra compiled by Patanjali over two thousand years ago is considered the most important text in Yoga philosophy. The core of this text is an eight-limbed path which forms the structural framework for Yoga practice. The eight steps in brief includes moral observances, body postures, breathing, concentration and meditation practice.
There are many schools or branches of Yoga : Raja, Hatha, Jnana, Karma and Kundalini to name a few. Hatha Yoga which is the most well-known and widely practised these days, aims at balancing the mind and body through physical postures, breathing techniques and relaxation practices.