Yoga is the best and most time tested path to physical and mental well being known to mankind. while some people think of yoga simply as physical exercise, it is actually a complete system for overall health and well being.
It includes everything: from physical postures, personal hygiene, and a healthy diet to premeditation, breathing, and relaxation techniques. The most advanced forms of meditation and self-realisation are also a part of yoga.
It includes everything: from physical postures, personal hygiene, and a healthy diet to premeditation, breathing, and relaxation techniques. The most advanced forms of meditation and self-realisation are also a part of yoga.
why do Yoga?
Like many forms of exercise, yoga effectively stretches and strengthens the body however yoga's greatest benefits come from its profound effects on the internal systems of the body. By bending, stretching, twisting, and flexing in the various postures, we bathe our internal organs with oxygenated blood and vitality.
Yoga soothes and tones the nerves and regulates the endocrine system, which is responsible for the production of hormones-one of the keys to both physical and mental health. Yoga also improves digestion and elimination, it strengthens the respiratory system, and most importantly, yoga is extremely effective in relieving stress.
With 5000 years of practice yoga can't be wrong.
Yoga soothes and tones the nerves and regulates the endocrine system, which is responsible for the production of hormones-one of the keys to both physical and mental health. Yoga also improves digestion and elimination, it strengthens the respiratory system, and most importantly, yoga is extremely effective in relieving stress.
With 5000 years of practice yoga can't be wrong.
what is Ashtanga Yoga?
Ashtanga Yoga is a yoga style that has been brought to great prominence through the teachings of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. from around 1948 Pattabhi Jois's teachings have disseminated this yoga system to many students & teachers.
Ashtanga Yoga literally means 'eight limbed' yoga & adheres to Patanjali's eight limbs of yoga as set out in his Yoga Sutras. these eight limbs are such a common basis to yoga practice it is worth listing them:
· Yama (moral codes)
· Niyama (self-purification & study)
· Asana (posture)
· Pranayama (breath control)
· Pratyahara (sense control)
· Dharana (concentration)
· Dhyana (meditation)
· Samadhi (contemplation & bliss state)
Pattabhi Jois teaches that the first four practices, the external cleansing practices, can be rectified but the last four, the internal cleansing practices, cannot be corrected and can only be brought under control through the proper practice of Ashtanga Yoga. it is through the combination & co-ordination of breathing & movement (Vinyasa) that the internal cleansing takes place. the other important incorporation in Ashtanga is Tristhana, which refers to the union of three points of attention - posture, breathing & the gazing point. the gazing point being the deep focus on the work.
Within a class the beginner might find the yoga positions quite tricky to master. the vigorous and intense yoga workout routines can be extremely challenging. they consist of three series, or levels of work, classically using the sun salutation sequence (Surya Namaskar) as a warm up to these series. strength, stamina & sweat are hallmark aspects of Ashtanga Yoga and from the tiring and exhausting first attempts of an initiate, the objective is to realise the truth that all is One.
Ashtanga Yoga literally means 'eight limbed' yoga & adheres to Patanjali's eight limbs of yoga as set out in his Yoga Sutras. these eight limbs are such a common basis to yoga practice it is worth listing them:
· Yama (moral codes)
· Niyama (self-purification & study)
· Asana (posture)
· Pranayama (breath control)
· Pratyahara (sense control)
· Dharana (concentration)
· Dhyana (meditation)
· Samadhi (contemplation & bliss state)
Pattabhi Jois teaches that the first four practices, the external cleansing practices, can be rectified but the last four, the internal cleansing practices, cannot be corrected and can only be brought under control through the proper practice of Ashtanga Yoga. it is through the combination & co-ordination of breathing & movement (Vinyasa) that the internal cleansing takes place. the other important incorporation in Ashtanga is Tristhana, which refers to the union of three points of attention - posture, breathing & the gazing point. the gazing point being the deep focus on the work.
Within a class the beginner might find the yoga positions quite tricky to master. the vigorous and intense yoga workout routines can be extremely challenging. they consist of three series, or levels of work, classically using the sun salutation sequence (Surya Namaskar) as a warm up to these series. strength, stamina & sweat are hallmark aspects of Ashtanga Yoga and from the tiring and exhausting first attempts of an initiate, the objective is to realise the truth that all is One.
what is Vinyasa Flow Yoga?
Vinyasa - Flow yoga is a term that covers a broad range of yoga classes. the word Vinyasa means “breath-synchronized movement.” in other words, the teacher will instruct you to move from one pose to the next on an inhale or an exhale. this technique is sometimes also called Vinyasa Flow, or just Flow because of the smooth way that the poses run together & become like a dance.
this style allows for a lot of variety, but will almost certainly include Sun Salutations. expect movement, not just stretching. whether the class is fast or slow, includes chanting. some very popular yoga styles, such as Ashtanga & Power Yoga, make use of the Vinyasa method.
what Does “Go Through Your Vinyasa" Mean?
when vinyasa is used as a noun, it describes a series of three poses that are done as part of a Sun Salutation sequence. When the teacher says, "go through the vinyasa at your own pace," he means do Plank, Chaturanga, & Upward Facing Dog.
this style allows for a lot of variety, but will almost certainly include Sun Salutations. expect movement, not just stretching. whether the class is fast or slow, includes chanting. some very popular yoga styles, such as Ashtanga & Power Yoga, make use of the Vinyasa method.
what Does “Go Through Your Vinyasa" Mean?
when vinyasa is used as a noun, it describes a series of three poses that are done as part of a Sun Salutation sequence. When the teacher says, "go through the vinyasa at your own pace," he means do Plank, Chaturanga, & Upward Facing Dog.
what is Ujjayi breathing?
Ujjayi breathing is a breath technique employed in a variety of Hindu and Taoist yoga practices. in relation to Hindu Yoga, it is sometimes called "the ocean breath". unlike some other forms of pranayama, the ujjayi breath is typically done in association with asana practice.
Ujjayi is a diaphragmatic breath, which first fills the lower belly (activating the first & second chakras), rises to the lower rib cage (the third & fourth chakras), and finally moves into the upper chest & throat. the technique is very similar to the three-part Tu-Na breathing found in Taoist Qi Gong practice.
inhalation & exhalation are both done through the nose. the "ocean sound" is created by moving the glottis as air passes in & out. as the throat passage is narrowed so, too, is the airway, the passage of air through which creates a "rushing" sound. the length & speed of the breath is controlled by the diaphragm, the strengthening of which is, in part, the purpose of ujjayi. the inhalations & exhalations are equal in duration, & are controlled in a manner that causes no distress to the practitioner.
some Ujjayi breathing benefits:
Ujjayi Pranayama is a balancing & calming breath which increases oxygenation & builds internal body heat. the Hawaiian yoga teacher Wai Lana says Ujjayi Pranayama "tones the lungs and encourages the free and healthy flow of prana", while helping to regulate blood pressure & bringing oxygen to all parts of the lungs."
Ujjayi breathing may be used continuously throughout Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, & is frequently used in Power Yoga & Vinyasa, or Flow Yoga. this breath enables the practitioner to maintain a rhythm to their practice, take in enough oxygen, & helps build energy to maintain practice, while clearing toxins out of the bodily system. this breath is especially important during transition into & out of asanas (postures), as it helps practitioners to stay present, self-aware & grounded in the practice, which lends it a meditative quality.
Ujjayi is a diaphragmatic breath, which first fills the lower belly (activating the first & second chakras), rises to the lower rib cage (the third & fourth chakras), and finally moves into the upper chest & throat. the technique is very similar to the three-part Tu-Na breathing found in Taoist Qi Gong practice.
inhalation & exhalation are both done through the nose. the "ocean sound" is created by moving the glottis as air passes in & out. as the throat passage is narrowed so, too, is the airway, the passage of air through which creates a "rushing" sound. the length & speed of the breath is controlled by the diaphragm, the strengthening of which is, in part, the purpose of ujjayi. the inhalations & exhalations are equal in duration, & are controlled in a manner that causes no distress to the practitioner.
some Ujjayi breathing benefits:
Ujjayi Pranayama is a balancing & calming breath which increases oxygenation & builds internal body heat. the Hawaiian yoga teacher Wai Lana says Ujjayi Pranayama "tones the lungs and encourages the free and healthy flow of prana", while helping to regulate blood pressure & bringing oxygen to all parts of the lungs."
Ujjayi breathing may be used continuously throughout Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, & is frequently used in Power Yoga & Vinyasa, or Flow Yoga. this breath enables the practitioner to maintain a rhythm to their practice, take in enough oxygen, & helps build energy to maintain practice, while clearing toxins out of the bodily system. this breath is especially important during transition into & out of asanas (postures), as it helps practitioners to stay present, self-aware & grounded in the practice, which lends it a meditative quality.