Click here for full-size slideshow
Yoga is a complete science of living that dates back many thousands of years & has its roots in India. But like all good strong trees it has grown & its branches have spread out across the whole world.
The word Yoga is drawn from the Sanskrit root "yuj", meaning to join or yoke.
The original yogi practitioners understood that our true nature requires us to live in harmony with our environment, not battle against it. They understood for perfect health and happiness our body, mind and souls need to be in balance. The system of yogic asanas they devised enhance physical health whilst pranayama and meditation encourages peace of mind.
In our western culture where image is so important we are often most concerned with the physical aspect of yoga practice.
Yet - this is like receiving a beautiful gift & only enjoying the wrapping. Yoga is a powerful internal process which unites the body and the mind with the self. Wants, needs, desires, expectations can be brought under control.
Yoga develops the body-mind union which leads to a further and deeper union with the self. Creating a sense of wellbeing and peace.
The five principles of yoga practice are:
- Proper relaxation
- Proper exercise
- Proper breathing
- Proper diet
- Positive thinking & meditation.
Genuine relaxation when body and mind are totally at rest is like the best sleep ever, it leaves you refreshed, restored and revitalised.
Exercise using Yoga Asanas (postures) to unlock your body's full potential. Your body becomes a map which tells the story of your life, our muscles become like armour protecting us from the fear and anxiety we hold inside. Poor posture, too much inactivity and misuse of our body can create imbalances which yoga can correct. The sacred geometry of the asana aligns our skeleton, muscles and organs which will help to bring us optimum health.
Breath is the very source of life, our breath - our pranic energy - is in all living things, it is around us, in us, and is us. Without breath we no longer exist. Learning to harness the power of the breath has the most transforming effect on your physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. Most people breathe in a shallow way, as if they did not deserve this beautiful gift. Breathe deep fellow yogis, open your hearts lungs and cells to the gift of prana. Pranayama (breathing exercises) helps you to direct your breath to use it to its fullest potential.
Diet is a dirty word for many; it screams of starvation, denial and dull tasteless food. The yoga diet is rich and varied. Yogis understand that healthy, natural, unprocessed foods create a healthy vehicle to house the soul. Eat simply, lightly, with awareness, eat varied foods of colour and texture, eat when you are hungry, stop when you are full and give yourself the gift of delicious wholesome healing food from mother earth's kitchen.
Postive thinking and meditation is the key to a full and happy life. All experiences, good or bad, begin in the mind. Illness begins in the mind, your very reality begins in the mind. We create what our internal dialogue ruminates on. What do you surround yourself with? Is it violence, angry people, movies and books? Or is your reality positive, happy, joyful and based in metta (loving kindness)?
Stop right now, take a deep breath, close your eyes and consider - what do I really want from life? Then ask - what do I generally get from life? If the two match up, then well done - you are creating a reality that you are in congruence with; but if not, then change those thought patterns. Meditation helps us to still the mind and focus on the present moment. By doing this we learn to let go of past hurts and fears - we live in the now, where everything is already perfect. This moment is exactly as it should be - after all, you created it!
Iyengar, one of the greatest yogis and teachers of our generation, says, ‘Yoga is a light which, once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame.’
We invite you light your flame and begin a journey into health and stillness by making yoga your path to self-realization.
Blessings
Dawn and Jo