What is yoga, and why should I practice it?
Yoga in
it’s original form is an ancient spiritual discipline which originated
in India, and was used by sages and saints to quiet the mind and access
deeper spiritual realms.
In the West, the 2 primary schools of thought are those of B.K. S. Yengar,
and Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.
They have spawned many variations, and yoga is now extremely popular, not
so much as a strict spiritual path, but as a practice to create strength
and flexibility in the body, and greater awareness and integration of
mind, body and spirit.
The practice of yoga has many health benefits. It has been found to lower
blood pressure, help relieve stress and stress related conditions. By
strengthening the muscles surrounding the spine, it alleviates lower back
pain and improves posture. It is helpful for digestive disorders and
hormonal imbalances, and fosters healthy eating habits, thus helping with
weight reduction and management.
The awareness and conscious use of the breath in yoga practice, brings
more oxygen to the brain, thus helping focus and concentration and
fostering deep relaxation and healthy sleep patterns. Yoga is not a
competitive activity, nor should it be painful or overly strenuous.
Students are encouraged to listen to their own bodies and only go as far
as feels comfortable to them in any given posture or series of postures.
The idea is not to achieve a posture, but to allow it and relax into it,
by creating the mental and physical space for it, the final goal being to
take the awareness and flexibility of mind and body, created through yoga,
into one’s life in order to deal with situations as they arise, with a
calm mind, an open heart and a sense of humor.
What is the difference between Ashtanga, Vinyasa,
Yengar and Hatha yoga?
Hatha yoga: means
yoga of the body. Therefore all yoga involving the body is Hatha yoga.
Ashtanga yoga: is
based on the teachings of Sri Pattabhi Jois and emphasizes the connection
between movement and breath. It is a dynamic system composed of a
specifically designed series of postures that emphasizes strength and
flexibility, while working to focus and calm the mind. It is especially
well suited for active people that are looking for a workout.
Yengar yoga: is
a method taught by B.K.S. Yengar, focuses on proper alignment and self
awareness through precision in movement. This is a highly therapeutic form
of yoga and postures are modified, often with the use of props, to suit
the needs of the individual. People who want to learn about their own
body, correct bad posture, imbalances and misalignements, as well as
people with injuries, or those that want to avoid injuries in sports
and other physical activities, will greatly enjoy this system, since it
helps acquire an awareness of the architecture and the mecanics of the
body.
Vinyasa flow: This
is a graceful flowing practice that creatively fuses the elements from
other hatha methods, primarily Ashtanga and Yengar, depending
on the approach of the particular teacher. Each class is original and
creative, focuses on the marriage of breath and movement
and blends the artistic expression of the human heart with universal
principles of alignment or bio-mechanics of the body.
As a beginner, will I be able to learn yoga during
a vacation?
It is especially beneficial for beginners to get a
taste of yoga on a yoga vacation.
You will be practicing every day with the same people. The teacher will
get to know you and be able to work with your strengths and limitations,
answer your questions and give you lots of personal attention.
You will be in a conducive stress free
environment with like minded people with
whom to exchange information, thoughts and feelings. Healthy food and
massage will be available, and you will return home with a fit and tanned
body, a relaxed attitude and a basic knowledge of yoga, that will enable
you to attend yoga classes in gyms or yoga studios with confidence, and
the ability to chose the approach that is most suited to your special
needs in order to further develop your practice. |
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