Yoga

Yoga has its roots in the ancient Indian Vedic health system now becoming known as Ayurveda in Western countries. Centuries before the Vedic texts were written (between 1,000 and 3,000 BC), the rituals and rules of yoga were passed down by Vedic monks through story and song. Today, yoga is practiced in much of the Western world in a non-religious and non-cultural manner.

Yoga is a gentle exercise system which is said to create a union between the body, mind and spirit; thereby bringing balance to the person practicing. On the physical level, yoga relaxes muscles, improves suppleness, fitness and function; it then relaxes the mind and teaches us how to deal with stress, destructive emotions and habits. By dealing with these body/mind functions, it is believed that spiritual development occurs. This harmony of body, mind and spirit is achieved through correct breathing, postural exercises and meditation.

While there are many types of yoga, the most common form used in the West is Hatha yoga. If practiced regularly and correctly, yoga has been reported to be able to restore health and wellbeing. Like any other exercise system, it must be practiced regularly to achieve benefits.

Yoga can be practiced in the privacy of your home, in a class guided by a practitioner, or you could receive individualised attention by a practitioner who will use a health system such as Ayurveda to find out your situation or problem and make a personalised recommendation. In an individualised scenario, it is also assumed that your situation is such that you are willing to explore alternatives in order to balance your physical & psychological health with your spiritual purpose and the commitments of your daily life.

Interest in yoga has generated research by various medical establishments with surprisingly powerful results showing benefits to cardiovascular function, allergic reactions and even a change in brain wave patterns associated with relaxation.

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