Yoga Benefits

Unlock the power of yoga, an ancient practice designed to promote mental and physical wellbeing. From postures to breathing techniques, discover how you can use this holistic approach for a healthier lifestyle!

What is yoga?

Yoga is more than a workout it’s an ancient practice that brings together physical poses, concentration, and deep breathing. With regular practice, you can experience the many benefits such as improved endurance, strength, flexibility and mental clarity. In
today’s world yoga has become increasingly popular with people of all ages looking to improve their well-being in body and mind!

History

Yoga has been around for centuries, with its origins stretching over 5,000 years back to northern India. The Sanskrit word ‘yuj’ meaning “union” or “to join”, is where the term “Yoga” originates from – first being mentioned in Rig Veda, a collection of ancient texts. 
Fast forward through time and it wasn’t until the late 1890s that Indian monks began to share their knowledge of Yoga in Western countries; finally becoming widely popular by 1970’s!

Philosophy

Philosophy is essential in understanding the connection between mind, body and spirit. Six branches of yoga provide a way to explore this philosophy further – each offering their own unique approach for personal growth.

The six branches
are:

Unlock the mysteries of yoga with its six branches. Cultivate your body and mind through Hatha Yoga; go on a journey to find inner peace via Raja Yoga, take the path towards selflessness and virtue by practicing Karma Yoga. Get in touch with divine love while exploring Bhakti Yoga or become wise beyond measure through Jnana’s pathway of knowledge. Finally, honor relationships as you experience Tantra’s
ritualism The possibilities are endless!

 

Chakras

Chakras are spinning wheels of energy that have the powerful ability to influence our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
Yoga teaches us how these chakras can become blocked with stagnant energy which may lead to a variety of health issues such as anxiety, lethargy or poor  digestion. Fortunately, there’s an answer – special postures known as Asanas in Hatha yoga help unblock this stuck up energy and bring balance back into your body!

 

There are seven major chakras, each with its own focus:

We all have 7 chakras that align with our spiritual, emotional & physical well-being! Sahasrara is located at the crown of your head and symbolizes connection to a higher level. Ajna sits between your eyebrows – it’s known as the ‘third eye’, representing intuition. Vishuddha in, you guessed it –your throat governs immunity & verbal communication. Anahata resides near the heart influencing relationships both professional/personal alike. Manipura radiates from mid area of stomach controlling confidence, wisdom and discipline! Svadhishthana under bellybutton corresponds to pleasure while Muladhara at base ensures vitality through its root energy source.

Types and styles of yoga include:

Engage in a fitness journey that celebrates the connections between body and mind with various styles of yoga! Ashtanga is an ancient practice popularized during the 70s, connecting movement to breath. Bikram Yoga or Hot Yoga, held in heated rooms at 105oF & 40% humidity focuses on 26 poses & sequences of breath exercises. Hatha classes are perfect for beginners with introduction into basic poses while Iyengar encourages proper alignment through props such as blocks blankets straps chairs and bols – enabling you to reap maximum benefits from each pose!

Yoga is a powerful tool for improving physical and mental wellbeing. It has the potential to help strengthen muscles, increase flexibility, promote healthy breathing patterns, support heart health and even assist with overcoming addiction – all while relieving stress/anxiety levelsand reducing chronic pain as well! Plus, it can also improve sleep quality when practiced regularly. Although generally seen as safe under professional guidance (as injuries are rare), it may be advisable to check with your doctor before beginning any yoga practice in order to identify any risk factors which should be addressed.