About Yoga
When many people think of yoga, they picture young, slim, flexible bodies holding extraordinary poses that look more suited to Cirque du Soleil. While I admire the strength, grace and dedication behind these postures, they can also give the impression that yoga is only for certain bodies.
It isn’t.
Yoga is for everyone, regardless of age, body type, flexibility or ability.
Yoga has ancient roots in India and a rich philosophical and spiritual history. The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit word yuj, meaning “to join,” “to yoke,” or “to unite.” At its heart, yoga is about the union of mind, body and spirit.
As both a yoga teacher and student, I want my students to understand that what happens on the mat is about much more than stretching or holding postures. A regular yoga practice can improve flexibility, strength, balance, and mobility, and it also incorporates breath, mindfulness, concentration, and meditation.
This combination can help calm the nervous system, reduce stress, cultivate greater awareness and give us tools that extend far beyond the yoga mat.
Yoga Is More Than the Poses
The physical postures, or asanas, are just one part of traditional yoga. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali describe eight components, often called the Eight Limbs of Yoga:
Yamas — how we relate to others and the world
Niyamas — how we relate to ourselves
Asana — physical postures
Pranayama — breath awareness and control
Pratyahara — turning our attention inward
Dharana — concentration
Dhyana — meditation
Samadhi — integration or a state of profound connection
The Yamas and Niyamas include ethical principles that continue to influence how I practise and teach yoga.
One of yoga’s greatest gifts is its ability to help us slow down, become more present and reconnect with ourselves.
So enjoy the stretching, strengthening and movement, but remember that yoga offers much more than a workout.
Think of it as a work in.