What is Yoga?

Many people have heard many different things about yoga. But what is it really? Yoga is a 6,000 year old, scientific system of self improvement that encompasses the whole person. Yoga means "union" which is applied to the mind and the body. Series of postures are taught and practiced that positively influence the body and the mind. The postures correspond to energy centers in the body that are called "chakras".

Yoga can lead the person to an ever increasing knowledge of self and the needs of the body and mind. This is necessary in order to achieve good physical and mental health as well as spiritual harmony. Yoga is about strength, flexibility, relaxation, release of tension, focus, staying in the present, stretching, breathing, mediation and increased energy. All of this promotes increased physical and emotional health.

Yoga promotes knowledge of the ever present power of the breath. The breath and breathing techniques are used to increase energy in the body while holding the postures, staying with the tension, sensations and feelings that arise in the body. The use of the breath also helps with the release of tension while encouraging relaxation and inner stillness.

This practice of centering and focusing in the yoga class can transfer into daily life. Many metaphors in yoga can be brought into daily living such as stretching, not straining, awareness and acceptance of feelings, relaxing into the tension and allowing for options. There are levels of experience in yoga. Initially the concentration is on the physical level but there is a corresponding emotional level. Each physical tension has a corresponding emotional tension. Both can be relaxed through the practice of yoga.

Yoga allows for awareness, which is the key to change and wellness.