Practising Yoga is a wonderful way to keep our bodies and minds
healthy and flexible.
Unlike regular exercise, the aim of yoga is not simply to strengthen muscles and increase heart and lung capacity, but also to increase flexibility and relaxation of body and mind. In Yoga we work with the breath, helping to keep our body relaxed, open and revitalised, and our mind more calm. Yoga practice involves deepening our awareness of what is happening within our bodies so that we can listen in to the innate wisdom it offers as we move, stretch and rest. Through this deep listening, we learn to work with our body rather than pushing against it. If we can learn to listen more attentively to our body and mind throughout the day and breathe more deeply then we are likely to keep our stress levels down and are much less likely to strain or injure ourselves in our daily lives. We will also feel more joyfully and vitally alive.
Practising Yoga is a wonderful way to keep our bodies and minds
healthy and flexible.
Unlike regular exercise, the aim of yoga is not simply to strengthen muscles and increase heart and lung capacity, but also to increase flexibility and relaxation of body and mind. In Yoga we work with the breath, helping to keep our body relaxed, open and revitalised, and our mind more calm. Yoga practice involves deepening our awareness of what is happening within our bodies so that we can listen in to the innate wisdom it offers as we move, stretch and rest. Through this deep listening, we learn to work with our body rather than pushing against it. If we can learn to listen more attentively to our body and mind throughout the day and breathe more deeply then we are likely to keep our stress levels down and are much less likely to strain or injure ourselves in our daily lives. We will also feel more joyfully and vitally alive.
Yoga can be practised for many different reasons:
Strength and flexibility
Improved posture
Increased vitality
Calming and focusing the mind
Stress management
A sense of well-being
Spiritual awareness
Yoga originated in the Far East, and is based on ancient Indian teachings, such as the Vedas, which are thought to be up to 7,000 years old. Patanjali's Yoga Sutras date from around 200 years BC. The art and science of yoga was developed from many of the most practical aspects of the ancient Indian sacred teachings, and Hatha Yoga (physical postures) is known to have been widespread 1,000 years ago, and probably considerably longer.
Yoga literally means 'union' or 'joining together'. This can be applied on many levels: uniting body and mind, body and breath; moving from duality into oneness; uniting body and soul, or ego self and Higher Self. This is evident in our yoga practice by combining strength with flexibility, breath with body, and mental calmness with sharp focus. Asana (or yoga posture) by definition involves both strong stability and comfort or ease. In relation to the mind, it can be seen as a state of attention without tension.
The ultimate aim of traditional yoga is to develop spiritual awareness. This is done through conscious use of the breath, meditation, control of the mind, and control of energy flow through the body. It is seen as being as much of an art as a science, because although the yoga scripts offers a clear and proven step by step approach towards physical and mental wellbeing and ultimately spiritual enlightenment, it is also recognised that unless it is practised intuitively and sensitively then it will only yield superficial results.
Yoga literally means 'union' or 'joining together'. This can be applied on many levels: uniting body and mind, body and breath; moving from duality into oneness; uniting body and soul, or ego self and Higher Self. This is evident in our yoga practice by combining strength with flexibility, breath with body, and mental calmness with sharp focus. Asana (or yoga posture) by definition involves both strong stability and comfort or ease. In relation to the mind, it can be seen as a state of attention without tension.
The ultimate aim of traditional yoga is to develop spiritual awareness. This is done through conscious use of the breath, meditation, control of the mind, and control of energy flow through the body. It is seen as being as much of an art as a science, because although the yoga scripts offers a clear and proven step by step approach towards physical and mental wellbeing and ultimately spiritual enlightenment, it is also recognised that unless it is practised intuitively and sensitively then it will only yield superficial results.
Elizabeth did her yoga teacher training in Ananda Yoga at The Expanding Light Retreat in California in 2010. She completed the Yoga Scotland Foundation course in 2002 and has been practising yoga for over 30 years. During this time she has trained with many different yoga teachers.
She currently runs classes in Kirriemuir on Thursday mornings.