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What is Yoga?
Yoga is the ancient Indian art of combining physical and mental exercise to unify mind, body and spirit.
Yoga practice includes stretches, twists, bends and inversions - the basic yoga postures. These postures are combined with breathwork to achieve balance and harmony.
How can Yoga help?
There are many different forms of yoga that have common aims and benefits that help you:
• promote body strength and flexibility
• reduce stress and clarify the mind
• tone, cleanse & detoxify the body
• improve respiratory, digestive & hormonal problems
• generate a sense of inner calm
• encourage postural awareness
• improve circulation
• reduce cardiovascular problems & osteoporosis
• regulate body functions
How do I choose the right yoga class?
Any form of yoga will help. The best thing to do is sample a few different yoga classes before making your decision.
Your choice may depend on which yoga teacher you prefer, which is fine.
Yoga classes vary from 60-90 minutes. Yoga mats are usually supplied although you can take your own. The more yoga you do the better. However, 20 minutes two or three times a week is better than 1hr45 once a week.
The main yoga styles
Hatha - focuses on asanas (postures) and breathwork. Hatha forms the basis of most yoga.
Ashtanga - a series of six sequential positions which increase in difficulty. A more dynamic form of yoga that presupposes knowledge of basic positions.
Bikram - 26 postures in a set sequence carried out in a room heated to approx. 38 degrees C. Suitable for all levels.
Iyengar - emphasis correct alignement and careful positioning of the postures. Ideal for beginners.
Power Yoga - a challenging series of postures that result in a thorough cardio-vascular workout.
Sivananda - combines mantras, meditation and hatha postures.
Kundalini - emphasis spiritual growth and awareness. It combines postures with mantras and breathwork that focuses on the chakras.
Any further questions? Email: info@holisticportal.org
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