What is Yoga?
The Sanskrit word yoga is translated as 'union' between mind, body and spirit. In the West, the most widely taught form of yoga is Hatha Yoga with classes offering students exercises to stretch and flex the body, develop breath awareness, relaxation and sometimes meditation. Some classes may be low impact while others can be very demanding.
Relaxation and centring - In a typical class, 10-20 minutes is usually given to relaxation, at the beginning and/or the end. Most students lie in 'savasana' (lying on your back). Various relaxation methods are taught ranging from physical relaxation and simple breathing exercises to visualisation (imagining a scene) and techniques such as 'autogenic suggestion'.
Limbering - Many Yoga classes begin with limbering moves and sequences to warm up the muscles and joints. This prepares the body and mind for asana (posture) work. These exercises may be referred to as 'pawanmuktasana' (wind/energy-releasing postures).
Asanas - Asanas (yoga postures) strengthen and tone the body and improve the flow of energy - regulating physical systems of the body and breath, and stilling the mind for meditation. The asanas used in a class will vary from teacher to teacher and depend on the abilities of the students. The objective in asana work is not how far you can stretch or contort your body, but to combine stability (stira) with ease/relaxation (sukha). Your teacher should modify asanas for individuals with medical conditions ranging from pregnancy to arthritis.
Breath work - Simple breathing techniques are taught to develop awareness and relaxation of the breath. These are then developed into 'pranayama' exercises – controlling and moving prana through the breath. Prana means the 'vital' or 'life force energy'. Not all exercises are suitable for those with respiratory or circulatory conditions, so be sure to advise your teacher if you have a condition before you start a class.
History and philosophy - Some yoga teachers try to include some history and philosophy in their yoga classes by introducing a weekly or term 'theme'. This will help you understand how the yoga you are doing fits within the original spiritual context and history. Don't hold back in asking your tutor questions - in most yoga classes, discussion and feedback is actively encouraged.
Meditation - There are a huge variety of meditation techniques and styles. The ones you're most likely to come across will have the objective of stilling the mind by focussing your awareness on a single object – the movement of the breath, an image or candle, a sound or chant. Not all teachers will include meditation within a class.
Different classes will have a different emphasis – some being more physical, some focussing more on relaxation, breath work and meditation.
Wear clothing that you find easy to move and stretch in. Most yoga is practised on non-slip mats – check with the teacher to find out if they will be provided.
There are a number of different forms of Yoga including:
- Anusara - Concentrating on the physical alignment, the spirit and the power of each yoga pose
- Ashtanga - More energetic, this style is done continuously and uses up more stamina
- Bikram - Performed in a hot room
- Hatha - A physical yoga, as opposed to spiritual yoga
- Lyengar - An athletic style using props to aid and correct posture, emphasising the precision of the alignments
- Kundalini - Where breathing is the emphasis in order to awaken the energy along the spine
- Restorative Yoga - Designed for deep relaxation, using passive yoga poses and props
- Sivananda - A more gentle style that includes 12 basic yoga postures (asanas)
Pregnancy and Post Natal Yoga
Gentle pregnancy and post natal yoga classes in Hadleigh Essex.
www.lindabeach.co.uk
Lakewaters Yoga
Classic Yoga classes including relaxation session - all levels of ability.
www.lakewatersyoga.com