Synthesis of Yoga

A question was asked to me the other day; the question being:  what are the benefits and the purpose of yoga? My reply was, my yoga journey started a few years ago it was for a healing purpose only as I have lower back issues situated in the lumbar region, when I don’t practice often, but now my journey has changed to now studying yoga.

 Through yoga I feel the difference from when I first started to now, I am able to still my mind and calm my body through Asana poses, combined with relaxation, meditation and pranayama which when practiced regular can assists in lengthening the breath and allow the flow of prana (life force) from the base ( Muladhara Chakra) all the way up the center to the crown ( Sarashasra Chakra)  and therefore being able to be in postures longer.

With regular practice you can unblock any blockages that are inside your inner channels and with this unblocking you are able to become aware of your body, mind and knowing how far you can go in your practice, this is important as yoga is not about bringing harm to you or anyone practicing, it is about learning Ahimsa which means no harm.  

Through regular practice you are able to calm the chatter which can be negative thoughts running through our minds, this is called the manas mind.

In becoming aware of myself inside and out I now understand the core of yoga and practice on a daily basis the 8 limbs of yoga, also known as the path that forms the structure of a yoga practice. I have learnt not to cause harm to myself and others, love myself and others, let things go that are out of my control and I have also learnt how to control my emotions.

Through Yoga I have learnt we have layers or sheaths that work within our bodies, there are five in total and are also known as the koshas, recognized as energy within our subtle system. The five koshas are controlled by three gunas that are Sattva (this has a spiritual quality), Rajas (this has an active quality) and Tamas (this has a dull quality). These Gunas are found in all living things and all three are present in our yoga practices.

Yoga has been life changing for me in many ways and I invite others to embark on this journey too.

Namaste

 What is the Synthesis of Yoga for you?

Magic of Yoga

This is my story down the yogic path, i know Yoga is different for everyone, but for me it is magical and helped me grow from a shy, scared , nervous, even stubborn person into a person who can let go of ego, can now be in front of a class and teach the one thing that has saved her from herself. I had real life issues that we all have in our life and the path to become a yoga teacher wasn't what i was looking for but i needed to find myself and needed a direction for my life and therefore my family.
looking back i see my growth with yoga and as a teacher, pretty much like a tree, where the concept uplifts the interior life to walk tall. The tree – our body – grows up through the root, stem, sap, crown and birdsong, through the seasons.

I have the joy of meeting different people and realizing that we are all coming to a yoga class for different reasons and i have meet numerous students who are in the same situation that i was in when i started my yogic path, we share tails and i see the sparkle in their eyes that there is hope or light at the end of their tunnel as there was for me, and all because they came to a yoga class and meet the amazing many teachers out in the yoga community that have become there saviors and all due to caring, compassion and encouragement through their teaching skills.

I can feel the growth welling up inside me as a teacher and confidence grows with each class i teach, i am more grounded and believe in myself so much more now than when i started my teacher training. All my class mates will know what i am talking about and agree with my words.

I love to able to share with people the one thing i needed to help me find myself and hope that Yoga can be for others the one thing it is for me.

Yoga is a different path to each and every one of us but to me it is a magic light that has been lit inside my mind, body and soul and i am grateful each day that i am am able to do something i love and feel happy inside.

Namaste xxx