What is Yoga...
Yoga is a holistic approach to your well being. It is an individual, living experience, with its origins in the East. The various practices of yoga help us to find peace, so we may experience our true Self; ageless, timeless and with infinite potential.
Yoga is the art of taking control of your own physical and mental well being. It is a relaxed system of body movements, done slowly with a free flowing breath and a quiet mind. In practicing Hatha yoga, we experience the body, mind and breath in the Asanas, which are postures that are scientifically designed to work each muscle, joint and ligament in the body, so that stimulated blood circulation nourishes every cell for optimum health and vitality, leaving you feeling physically and psychologically strong and mentally and spiritually at peace.
The word yoga means unite or harness together. In fact, our own word 'yoke' comes from the word 'yoga'. All yoga practices are aimed at creating this sensation of union between all the different aspects of ourselves, so we may experience the body as a whole. During yoga practices you experience this union by allowing the mind, body and breath to flow together in harmony with each other. In this way there is the opportunity to surpass the ego and experience Atman, which is pure consciousness.
Through relaxation, slow yoga exercises, meditation, breathing and visualisation practices, we begin to experience our true selves; a state of exquisite 'beingness' in harmony with the natural world.
Hatha yoga invites you on an inner journey of self-discovery where you'll get to know yourself and listen to the messages your body is trying to send to you. This heightened awareness is the key to good health.
The Eight-Fold Path of Yoga
Between 300-500BC Patanjali formally set out the eight fold path of Astanga (eight limbs) yoga. This eight fold path to liberation is also known as Raja yoga. Here is a brief outline of the eight limbs:
1. Yamas Abstinences, moral qualities of restraint and control of thought, word and deed, for the harmonious functioning of our society.
2. Niyamas Observances of self-discipline, attitudes and activities. These are rules for personal conduct.
3. Asanas Postures for a healthy functioning body so we may experience stillness during meditation.
4. Pranayama Breath control, breathing practices to help control the movement of Prana, life force. 5. Pratyahara Sense withdrawal, turning inward, to calm and centre. Withdrawing the sense of touch, sound, taste, vision and smell.
6. Dharana Concentration, to control and quieten the activities of the mind. Being one-pointed and focussed.
7. Dhyana Meditation, absorption, the mind no longer wanders. It is controlled and resting in stillness.
8. Samadhi Enlightenment, self realisation, the climax of meditation, The experience of union, oneness, harmony and a connection to all life.
