The Benefits of Yoga
Yoga is a spiritual tradition that began in India about 5000 years ago. The word yoga means ‘union’ in Sanskrit. If practised regularly, it is a system that leads to the unification of a person with his/ her true nature and highest self, and with the universe, creating internal balance and harmony – of feminine/masculine qualities, yin/yang, strength/softness, and all other binaries within the body that work best when in perfect equilibrium.
Yoga, therefore, has a whole host of stress-reduction benefits – it shifts the balance of the autonomic nervous system from the sympathetic to the parasympathetic side, calming the mind, lowering the levels of stress hormones , encouraging better mood and concentration, and creating a sense of clarity and tranquillity in the mind. Physically, yoga increases strength and flexibility, improves balance coordination and joint health, heightens cardiovascular conditioning and tones the body, making practitioners feel younger and stronger, as well as more vibrant and supple for longer.
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Modern life is so rushed that we rarely stop to enjoy the beauty in small things surrounding us every day. Consequently, there are ever-increasing numbers of people in society feeling anxious, overwhelmed and inadequate. Yoga is the pause amidst this daily rush.
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As well as being a physical practice, it provides an opportunity to slow down the breath and move in a meditative way. This union of breath and movement releases endorphins and stimulates ‘feel good’ hormones, detoxifying the mind and body and encouraging us to pause and enjoy life’s many simple pleasures.
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Yoga tones and strengthens the body and has also been proven to increase focus, reduce stress, and improve sleep. Importantly, it is non-competitive and introspective which means that it cares for the nervous system, taking us out of the sympathetic ‘fight or flight’ mode and into the parasympathetic ‘rest and digest’ mode. With regular practice, this less anxious, more controlled and mindful state is extended beyond the mat, and as a result, yoga students are able to find more happiness and joy amidst the busyness of modern living.
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There are many different types and styles of yoga, but one thing they all have in common is that they derive from Hatha, and use physical postures, mindfulness and Pranayama (breathing exercises) to create optimum physical, mental and emotional health in the practitioner.
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Yogavana is expanding all the time, so please check this page for updates, or get in touch if you have any questions/ style of yoga preferences/ areas on which you’d like to focus. Currently, the main yoga styles being offered by Yogavana are outlined under 'Class Options'.
