What is yoga?
"Yoga" was born in India around 5000 years ago. The word
yoga means " union ", which highlights the fundamental
idea of yoga: the union of body, mind and spirit. Yoga isn't so
much a religion or a philosophy, but more a physical, mental and
spiritual discipline. It is designed to promote health, balance,
peace of mind and a deeper inner awareness - the ultimate goal of
which is to rediscover our true inner self.
Yoga is a vast subject, and many different approaches, styles and
sub-branches of yoga have developed over the years. Some of the
principal current practices include: Hatha yoga (which focuses mainly
on physical health and mental well-being), Kundalini yoga (the chakras
and the circulation of energy in the body), Karma yoga (detachment
from the fruit of our actions), and Raja yoga (meditation). However,
there are also many others. What is Hatha yoga?
Hatha yoga is the method of yoga most commonly practised in the
West. The word " Hatha ", which literally means "
force ", is the term generically used to describe the styles
of yoga which focus on the use of physical postures (asanas) and
the control of breath (pranayama) as a means to mould the body and
mind, and enable us to work through our emotional layers to uncover
our true inner self.
What are the benefits of Hatha yoga?
The regular practice of Hatha yoga is widely believed to bring a
number of physical and mental benefits at both preventative and
therapeutic levels.
The physical benefits include:
- improved muscle flexibility and joint articulation
- development of muscle strength and tone
- improved overall body posture and spinal alignment
- relief from back pain, reduction in shoulder tension
- increased vitality
- stimulation of endocrine system (glands and hormones)
- better digestion and elimination
- improved circulation
- strengthened immune system
- increased respiratory capacity
- cholesterol reduction
- helpful for weight loss.
The mental benefits include:
- stress reduction, relaxation
- improved concentration
- heightened body awareness
- exploration of inner-self.
Can I do yoga if I'm not flexible?
Contrary to what many people think, doing yoga does not mean being
able to put your leg behind your head! Even if many of the postures
seem to have been designed to improve flexibility, the real goal
is to re-establish and maintain health and vitality in the area
of the body upon which they focus. The physical objective of yoga
practice is not to create flexibility, but to develop health and
vitality. If you aren't flexible, this simply means is that you
maintain a lot of tension in certain areas of your body (this may
be because you've practiced a lot of sport, or it could be the result
of mental stress/tension accumulated over time). Yoga practice will
help you dissipate this tension and re-establish a healthy balance
between strength and flexibility.
|
Does yoga reduce stress?
Yoga is particularly effective in the area of stress reduction because
it acts at all levels: physical, mental and spiritual. Relaxation
is induced by a combination of factors: release of muscle tension,
repetition of continuous movements, concentration, deep and regular
breathing, the effect of some specific postures (particularly torsions
and forward bends), massage to the internal organs, nervous system
and glands. At a general level, yoga also improves overall body
awareness which is key to attaining balance and harmony.
How often should I practice yoga to experience the benefits?
The more often you practice, the better you will feel. Try to get
into the habit of also practicing at home (20 minutes a day is enough
to maintain your form!). You can adapt your practice to your schedule,
your energy, or whatever you feel physically or emotionally. It's
better to do a little bit of yoga often rather than skipping completely
just because you are unable to do a full session for whatever reason.
What are the benefits of doing yoga in a heated room?
The elevated temperature increases flexibility and facilitates the
elimination of toxins. Beginners can also experience a more intense
yoga practice without going into the more advanced postures.
Does yoga help weight loss?
Yoga can help you feel better in your body, regardless of your weight.
Nevertheless, yoga is a physical activity and, like all physical
activities, the amount of calories you burn will depend on your
effort, persistence and determination. If your main objective is
weight loss, yoga can also help at other levels such as the elimination
of toxins and improved digestion. Also, as you become more aware
of your body, you start to develop a better sense of what's good
for you at a nutritional level. This can bring instinctive improvements
in dietary habits. In this sense, yoga can help you find your own
proper balance and in this way help you control your weight in a
way which is natural, healthy and lasting.
Does Yogaworks teach meditation?
Not as a specific discipline. The classes taught at Yogaworks focus
mainly on the physical aspects of yoga, i.e. the practice of asanas
(postures) and pranayama (control of breath). However, there is
a meditative element to the way the asanas and pranayama should
be practiced ("meditation in motion").
Can I attend classes at Yogaworks if I'm pregnant?
Yogaworks is not offering specific prenatal classes. However, if
have been practicing yoga or Pilates before and with the consent
of your doctor, you may attend certain classes.
|
