Most people think that Yoga is only for super bendy people or hippie types and it is just another form of exercise.
However, it is so much more than just doing the postures (asanas). Yoga can be a way of life. It has been around for thousands of years and the term ‘ YOGA’ means the joining together of the body, mind and spirit.
Yoga also incorporates the breath (the practice of Pranayama) whereby you breathe in and then out through the breath deep into your abdomen. As you breathe in the life force our PRANA is drawn into the body. This life force energises our body and calms the Chatterbox in our heads. That Monkey mind.
As we breathe deeply in through both nostrils slowly we slow everything down. In a world that is crazily fast, we become more away from ourselves and our bodies and mind. This type of breathing is called ujjayi breathing and is one of many breathing techniques that I will be writing about in this column.
So I have discussed what is Yoga so now I will discuss why do yoga.
Yoga keeps your physical body fit and healthy by stretching out tight muscles and also ligaments and tendons. It calms the nervous system and regulates the body’s endocrine system,(hormone).
Yoga clears your mind and helps to develop a sense of gratitude.
Yoga helps you to live a life of “right living ” so that you live your best life with honesty, integrity and kindness towards yourself and others.
If everyone did Yoga I believe that the world would be a better place.
