What is Yoga?
Originating in India more than 5,000 years ago, yoga is a Hindu system of philosophy that harmonises the body, mind and spirit to promote health and inner peace.
More than just trying to stand on your head or contort your limbs, yoga involves gentle activities designed to maintain fitness, suppleness and muscle tone as well as optimising the body’s own healing powers. Breathing is an important part and this, together with meditation and visualisation (imagining a scene) exercises, is thought to help to:
- energise the body and mind
- reduce stress
- improve concentration and clarity.
There are a number of different types of yoga including Hatha yoga, Karma yoga, Jnana yoga, Bhakti yoga, and Raja yoga. In the West, Hatha yoga is the most widely taught, combining asanas (physical exercises and postures), pranayama (breathing techniques) and dhyana (meditation). Hatha yoga is believed to provide a balanced and wholesome approach to achieving perfect physical and mental health, happiness and tranquility.
