What is Yoga?

Yoga is one of India’s six great ancient philosophies.  Yoga is believed to have originated  over 5000 years ago in India.  Yoga is not a religion.  Instead, it is a physical and psychological discipline.

The breathing techniques are based on the concept that breath is the source of life in the body.  Yoga students gently increase their breath control to improve the health and the function of body and mind.  This prepares the body and mind for meditation, making it easier for students to achieve a quiet mind and to be free from everyday stress.  Regular daily practice of all components of this structure of Yoga produces a clear, bright mind and a strong, capable body.

One of the advantages of yoga is that it can be practiced almost anywhere, without special equipment, and by people of all ages. 

Benefits of Yoga

• Blood Pressure decreases
• Musculoskeletal flexibility and joint range of motion increase
• Posture improves
• Strength increases
• Energy level increases
• Balance improves
• Anxiety decreases
• Concentration improves
• Self-acceptance increases

Common Styles of Yoga

• Ashtanga – The system is based on six series of asanas (poses) which increase in difficulty, allowing students to work at their own pace.  In class, you’ll be led nonstop through one or more of the series. There’s no time for adjustments but you’ll be encouraged to breathe as you move from pose to pose.
• Power Yoga  - A Western spin to the practice of Ashtanga Yoga, a challenging and disciplined series of poses designed to create heat and energy flow.  It is a rigorous workout that develops strength and flexibility while keeping students on the move.
• Iyengar – In an Iyengar class, poses are typically held longer, so that practitioners can pay close attention to the precise muscular and skeletal alignment this system demands.  The use of props helps to accommodate any special needs such as injuries or structural imbalances. 
• Kundalini – This practice incorporates postures, dynamic breathing techniques, and chanting and meditating on mantras.  Practitioners concentrate on awakening the energy at the base of the spine and drawing it upward through each of the seven chakras.
• Kripalu  - The three stages of Kripalu yoga include:  willful practice (alignment, breath, consciousness); willful surrender (holding of postures, deepening concentration and focus); and meditation in motion.
• Anusara – An integrated approach to Hatha yoga in which the human spirit blends with the precise science of biomechanics.  Includes three key areas of practice: Attitude, Alignment, Action.
• Hatha  - Is usually an eclectic blend of two or more of the styles described above.  Poses may be held for a length of time, or may flow quickly from one to the next (vinyasa flow).