what can yoga do for me?
strength and flexibility.
lots of people come to yoga because they need a good stretch, it’s long been known that a physical yoga practice can increase mobility within the joints and help muscles to stretch. However it can also help build vital muscle strength to support us as we age. The picture above is a bit of a show off but it beautifully illustrates the balance of strength and flexibility that can be developed over time.
returning to the breath.
connecting with the breath is central to all yoga practice, the benefits of which are profoundly felt within the nervous system. Slow, mindful breathing can help us move out of the sympathetic nervous system (fight and flight) and back into the parasympathetic nervous system (rest and digest). Being able to self-regulate and move between these two states with relative ease is vital for resilience.
a tool for personal growth.
the word yoga is interpreted to mean union, when we practice yoga we are returning to our essential selves by cultivating a union of mind, body and spirit. As we breathe through a physical practice the mind begins to quieten and we turn our attention towards the inner landscape. Developing self awareness and self enquiry on the yoga mat helps us to navigate the world and live as our most authentic self.
yoga is a journey of the self, through the self,
to the self- the bhagavad gita
understanding the scope of yoga
what yoga can’t do.....on a more serious note it is important to understand that yoga is not a substitute for professional assessment, diagnosis or treatment.
please be aware, I am not a medical professional and will never claim that yoga is a cure or treatment for any pre existing medical condition or injury.
it is assumed that you join my classes of your own free will, and choose a class that is suitable for you, I can of course guide you on this but ultimately it’s important that you make the right decisions for your body.
although there are tremendous benefits to overall health and wellbeing, yoga can be physically challenging so carries with it risks that cannot be denied, such as personal injury or exacerbation of pre-existing injuries or conditions.
so if you are at all unsure that you should join an in-person or on-line yoga class I urge you to consult your general practitioner or physiotherapist, particularly if you are pregnant.
any advice given while participating in a yoga class is for information purposes only, within the context of the class.
through my classes I strive to create a space of safety and a feeling of community however yoga is not a substitute for therapy or for living a fulfilling, meaningful, well supported life.
the ancient practice of yoga is the most incredible resource that we are privileged to benefit from and can apply to our modern lives but yoga cannot claim to be a cure all.
l