YOGA

YOGA

Hatha yoga, or general Yoga, is the practice of balancing the mind and body. Breath work is the most important part of the practice, helping us to become centred, balanced, release tension and to connect to our movements. The are specific practices, Pranayama, which help to balance our energy and develops efficiency in breathing.
Yoga can help with many problems, chief among which are: body alignment and awareness, flexibility, strength, balance, stress relief, concentration and return to health after illness.

Classically the practice of yoga is divided into a number of paths, all believed to lead to same goal; Self Realisation and seeking balance. It is working with the knowledge that there are different temperaments of people and even within us at various times i.e. lively, quiet, extrovert, introvert that our practice of yoga helps to balance us.

The most recognised path is Raja Yoga, or try here, which is attaining balance through meditation; another is Karma, selfless action, good deeds without the expectation of reward).

Hatha Yoga is considered to be a pathway leading to Raja yoga. Hatha is the yoga of force preparing the body for meditation, balancing our bodies with the mind. Within this practice there are a large number of styles as Hatha yoga recognises that most of us cannot just sit and meditate, there needs to be preparation. The different styles cater to our need for balance.

STYLES

The major Yoga styles are:

• Hatha Yoga is often seen as a style in itself being gentler on the body):

• Ashtanga a flowing, strong yoga which is a set sequence of postures originally taught by Sri Pattabi Jois. Ashtanga meaning 'eight limbs' which are the limbs of yoga practice from philosophy, postures, breath work through to meditation.

• Iyengar originally taught by BKS Iyengar. A precise style of hatha yoga which centres on the body and awareness of the body.

• Bikram from Bikram Choudry. This hot yoga, comprises a set sequence practice in a hot room, said to help release tension and help focus the mind by learning to deal with the discomfort of the heat.

• Restorative Yoga: this was mainly introduced by Judith Lasater where the postures are supported with bolsters, blankets and blocks allowing the body a deep but gentle relaease. It is deeply relaxing.

• Yin Yoga is physically harder practice than Restorative; after warming up the body, postures are held for longer than usual (sometimes up to 8 minutes). The purpose is to achieve a release in harder tissues, tendons and ligaments but also to free energy channels (as in Chinese medicine). This practice also helps to focus the mind by learning to be still in the postures. Paul Grilley and Sarah Powers are both recognised as introducing this style

There are many, many more styles but all will have some familiarity to the above