top of page

ABOUT YOGA

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.  ~ Helen Keller

Yoga’s origins date back 5000 years to the beginning of human civilization. Scholars believe Yoga arose from Stone Age Shamanism.

​

Seals discovered at Indus Valley Civilization sites, dating to the mid 3rd millennium BC, depict figures in positions resembling a common (seated) yoga or meditation pose, showing "a form of ritual discipline, suggesting a precursor of yoga," according to archaeologists.

​​

Hatha yoga, the physical postures that is more commonly practiced today, were depicted in yoga texts from the 1200's. 

​

Posture in Sanskrit is 'asana' meaning ‘pausing in steadiness,’ 'moving into stillness,' and 'sitting quietly.'

​

Asana brings health and lightness of body, and a pleasant posture produces mental equilibrium and steadiness.

​

Not merely gymnastics, asanas exercise every muscle, nerve and gland in the body – offering profound healing benefits, as well as strength and suppleness. ​

​

The names of asanas are significant as they illustrate the process of evolution, or the varieties of species on the Earth. Some are named after the plant kingdom – tree (vrksa) and lotus padma); some after insects – locust (salabha) and scorpion (vrschika); some after aquatic animals – fish (matsya), tortoise (kurma), frog (bheka) or the crocodile (nakra). There are asanas named after birds – cock (kukkuta), the heron (baka), the peacock (mayura) and the swan (hamsa). Mamals have inspired asanas – dog (svana), horse ( vatayana), camal (ustra), and lion (simha). Crawling creatures are included – serpent, or cobra (bhujanga); and legendary heroes – Virabhadra (warrior) and Hanuman, son of the wind. Sages are remembered – Bharadvaja, Kapila, Vasistha and Visvamitra; as are Hindu Gods, and Avataras, or creations of divine power.

 

The yogi understands that while assuming many forms - a great variety of creatures, from insects to perfect Sages – the same Universal Spirit breathes equally through all. By recognizing that the highest form is that of the Formless, the yogi finds unity in universality. ​

​​​​

Click for PDF Yoga Poses including photos, benefits, precautions, instructions; and therapeutic applications.

Benefits of a regular Yoga practice


Hatha 

​

  • Strengthens and tones the body

  • Improves flexibility and circulation

  • Increases stamina

  • Calms the mind down by inviting us to synchronise movement with breath

  • Removes tension and obstacles in the body to allow breath and prana to flow

​

​

Gentle Stretching & Yin Yoga

 

Gentle stretching has been scientifically studied and proven effective in reducing anxiety, depression, metabolic syndrome, chronic pain, and a variety of other dis-eases.

​

  • Stimulates the meridians (energy channels) bringing balance to the organs in the body

  • Improves flexibility and joint mobility

  • Calms and balances the mind and body

  • Reduces stress and anxiety

  • Works deeply on the connective tissues

  • Can prepare the practitioner for meditation practice

​

​

Restorative Yoga

​

Restorative yoga taps into the parasympathetic nervous system; the branch of the NS responsible for “rest and digest”, and turns off the sympathetic NS “fight or flight” branch which is the state most of us in this high-speed, super-stimulated, tech-distracted,
stressed-out world are living in!  Tapping into the parasympathetic nervous system is ideal because this is when our body is in healing mode; allowing our body to rest, digest and relax.


Benefits include:

​

  • Improved memory and mental clarity

  • Enhanced mood states

  • Superior sleep quality

  • Boosting of the immune system with improved capacity for healing and homeostasis

  • Increased flexibility due to release of muscle tension.

  • Gentle yoga practices also foster qualities of compassion and acceptance toward self and others.

​​

bottom of page