What is Yoga?
Literally
translated it means “Union”, “Wholeness” or “Integration”
and all Yoga practice is directed towards this. Disorders occur when one part
of our system is in conflict with another. Practising Yoga promotes integration
and improves health, peace of mind and happiness.
Yoga practices have been developed, tested and refined for thousands of years. They include the study and improvement of breath, posture, relaxation, concentration, contemplation and meditation. Yoga may also be practised in everyday activity through deep concentration on work, self-observation and integrity in both business and personal relationships. This latter is called Karma Yoga. All Yoga practice builds a sound foundation for personal motivation and helps to combat depression.
The class time is divided equally between asanas (postures), relaxation, and concentration or meditation: i.e. two thirds Hat-Ha Yoga and one third Raja Yoga. Each student is encouraged to practise according to his or her own ability. Posture improvement is effected initially through relaxation of muscles, subsequently the muscles are strengthened in more advanced asanas. Asanas are always followed by deep relaxation using both muscle release and guided inner journey images. The mind-body relationship is explored in depth and improved.
Yoga, Religion and Philosophy share the common ground of a search for Truth and pursuit of personal and social well being and integrity. You will find that practising Yoga deepens your experience and understanding of your religion or philosophy. It never conflicts with beliefs that are based on experience; it also brings you close to the experiences of the authors of sacred texts and the great classics of mysticism.
