Yoga improves your mind-body health and well-being. It has many benefits for one's physiological, mental and spiritual needs through physical strengthening, stretching, breathing and meditation techniques, which calm and balance the mind and bring the body into harmony. Our teacher is a member of the Yoga Alliance RTY 500 and the American Certification on Exercise (ACE). Classes are taught for the beginner, experienced and for those with physical challenges.
Yoga has many benefits including:
1. Great physical fitness..Yoga strengthens, stretches, and elongates the spine for proper alignment of the vertebrae.
2. Breathing Techniques...lower blood pressure, promote relaxation, increase the cardiovascular system, increase lung capacity, releases tension and stress.
3. Meditation...calms the mind, brings emotional balance, mental clarity, focus and concentration.
4. Learning Yoga Philosophy....by experiencing emotional tension release, increasing awareness of what is happening in your own body and mind you will gain heightened awareness of your inner body and mind.
5. Spiritual fulfillment...an awakening of the consciousness through meditation which increases your awareness as you realize you are more than a body or framework.
Guidelines for a Yoga Practice
Yoga is one of India’s six great ancient philosophies. The science of yoga is unique in that it encompasses all types of problems associated with the human condition. It is believed to have originated 5000-6000 years ago. Yoga is not a religion; instead, it is a physical and psychological discipline.
We will practice a Vinyasa style of Hatha Yoga, which means “a flowing style of yoga for health”. It is the physical aspect of the practice. It renews, invigorates, and heals the body—stretching and strengthening the muscles, joints, and spine and directing blood and oxygen to the internal organs. Our practice of Hatha Yoga will help us balance our bodies and minds.
Before beginning our Yoga practice, we must first realize that Yoga is a journey, not a destination. Each day when we wake up, our bodies feel a little different; therefore, they will react differently as we practice. No two days will be the same, and we should accept that. We should remember to breathe, feel, and listen to our bodies. We should accept who we are at each moment. We should let go of competition with, or judgment toward, ourselves and others, so that we may fully experience the joy of movement.
Some little extras:
- We should inform our instructor of any special conditions.
- We should avoid eating one hour prior to our practice.
- We should dress in layers so that we may adapt to our environment as necessary. Our bottom layer of clothing should be snug, (sports bra or stretchy tank) as we will be moving and bending throughout our practice.
- We should practice in bare feet.
- We should practice on a Yoga mat.
- We should bring a towel and water with us to practice.
- We should refrain from wearing perfume to practice.
- We should turn off all cell phones before we begin.
- Let’s do our best to make a commitment to stay all the way through our practice, including Final Relaxation.
Looking forward to the journey together! The light within me, salutes the light within you.
Classes are held Wednesdays, 1 or 7 pm
Namaste’
Bridget
