OM...What is Yoga?
This is a challenging question as there are many interpretations between eastern & western yoga.
Like most people when I began doing Yoga I thought it was nothing more than a way to stretch and in some cases get a heated workout. As I continued my practice and started seeing some shifts happening internally I was intrigued to learn more.
"Yoga is a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, a part of which, including breath control, simple meditation, and the adoption of specific bodily postures, is widely practiced for health and relaxation"
The Word "Yoga" in Sanskrit translates to the word English word "Union", and it means the conscious connection between the limited egoic self, and the unlimited, higher or spiritual self. Or in other words it means the conscious connection between mind, body and soul as one.
"Yoga is a system, not of beliefs, but of techniques and guidance for enriched living. Among Yoga’s many source texts, the two best known are the Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita. Both explain the nature of—and obstacles to—higher awareness and fulfillment, as well as a variety of methods for attaining those goals." Yoga Alliance.
Like anything else in life with consistent practice and dedication yoga can be a transformative experience. Yoga is about discovering and loving yourself for what you truly are which goes beyond the physical aspects of the self. It’s about using your physical body and challenging yourself to see how far you are willing to go. Anything you do on the mat is a reflection of what you do off the mat.
Some of the Physical Benefits:
Access our full breath through pranayama breathing.
-Flexibility
-Balance
-Improve your posture
-Core Strength
-Body Awareness
-Aids with weight Reduction
-Increases your blood flow
Beyond the physical:
-Clarity
-Peace of mind
-Better sleep quality
-Self acceptance
-Makes you HAPPIER!
A recent study found that yoga practice can reduce levels of stress and anxiety by increasing your levels of serotonin which makes us happier.
Personally yoga has helped me view life in a different light, for example I️ can appreciate life more and the little things such as being stuck in traffic after a busy day at work, don’t bother me anymore.
Since the individual experience of Yoga is quite personal and may differ for each practitioner, there are a wide variety of approaches to its practice. All approaches to Yoga, however, are intended to promote some aspect(s) of well-being.
I️ invite and encourage you to try it out and see for yourself what it can do for you!
NAMASTE!
