Yoga is an ancient 3,000 year old tradition from the East, which is now wholeheartedly practised in the West. The word comes from the Sanksrit root “yuj” meaning yoke or union between the mind and the body. Fundamentally, yoga consists of pranayama (yoga breathing), asanas (body poses and movement) and the integration of physical, cognitive, emotional and social intelligences. The original intention of yoga was to prepare the body for meditation, and meditation is a common practice at the end of many yoga sessions. There are many different types of yoga including hatha, ashtanga, kundalini, iyengar, bikram, restorative and aerial to name a few, and these vary in their pace, focus and intensity. You’re bound to find one you love from this range!
Health benefits include
- Decreases stress Yoga reduces the secretion of cortisol, the main stress hormone, in the body, which is a risk factor in cardiovascular disease.
- Relieves anxiety Practising yoga has been found to reduce fear in people with PTSD and relieve acute and chronic anxiety.
- Addresses depression Yoga influences serotonin, a neurotransmitter linked with depression.
- Reduces inflammation The regular practice of yoga is associated with reduced levels of inflammation markers in the body, thereby reducing the risk of inflammatory-based diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
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Increases flexibility, balance and posture
Stretching and holding different asanas (postures) helps you be more flexible, improve your balance and walk more tall.
- Improves your sleep Yoga has been found to increase the level of melatonin in the body, the chemical that influences sleep and wakefulness. Studies show that people practising yoga fall asleep more quickly, sleep for longer and feel more rested after sleep.
- Deepens breathing Lung capacity increases through the slow, full breathing practices of pranayama.
- Strengthens the body Muscle strength and tone is increased, which strengthens and trims the body.
- Improves joints and lessens arthritic pain Regular yoga practice can reduce the pain of arthritis through gentle activities that increase joint flexibility, muscle tone and a more trim body.
- Improves organ health Yogic asanas have been designed to massage the major organs, thus increasing their health. Greater awareness of the body and self also encourages practitioners to notice subtle changes in the body, allowing health issues to be addressed more quickly.
"We all wish for world peace, but world peace will never be achieved unless we first establish peace within our own minds.”