Yoga 

The foundations of all schools of yoga go back to the sage Patanjali. In his sutras (aphorisms) he defines yoga as a practice to calm the mind so that the yogi can understand who he/she truly is. The modern Indian guru Osho calls yoga, the “science of the soul”. In this classical text the physical postures are rarely mentioned and if so, only as ways to prepare the yogi for his meditation practice.

Yoga has now flourished in the West and is mostly practiced as Hatha-Yoga, which focuses mainly on physical postures, breathing and relaxation. There are many schools and styles ranging from the more modern aerobic like work-out style to the classical/mindful approach.

Yoga was never meant to become another exercise system in which we are twisting the body into awkward looking postures; it was always understood as a holistic path towards physical mental and spiritual well-being.  If done in this spirit, it can take you on a wonderful journey from the surface to the inner, from the body to the soul.

Benefits

Research suggests that yoga enhances stress-coping mechanisms and your mind/body awareness. It can reduce your heart rate and blood pressure, increase lung capacity, improves muscle relaxation, physical fitness, general strength and stamina. It improves your mood and helps to alleviate anxiety, mild depression and insomnia.

Yoga is a low impact activity as it uses gravity and the body itself as resistance. Its gentleness and adaptability make it also an excellent rehabilitation programme.  Yoga’s benefits can permeate all aspects of your life and can give you the tools to lead a very happy and fulfilled life.

‘Thank you for giving us such a very special yoga class. I found the whole experience very profound and afterwards very energising. I picked up a good deal that I will incorporate into my daily yoga practice.' S