Why Practise Yoga?
What is Yoga all about?
The intention of yoga is to learn more about yourself; how your body, mind and spirit all work together. This helps to reduce your suffering and learn how reconnect to yourself, helping you have more self-awareness and self- acceptance. What we learn on the mat reflects what is happening in our daily lives, and although learning to create fancy poses is fun, it is about so much more than that. There are 8 limbs of Yoga, and we use these 8 steps as guidelines on how to live a more purposeful life.
What are the eight limbs of yoga?
Yamas (restraints): focuses on how we relate to our environment and comprises of:
Ahimsa (non-violence, non-harming, consideration, compassion). Choosing kind words, thoughts and actions towards ourselves, others, animals, and the environment.
Satya (truthfulness). Learning to be honest with yourself and others. Choosing your words with thought and intention.
Asteya (non-stealing). This involves only taking what we are entitled to take (material objects, people’s time, ideas, attention).
Brahmacharya (using energy wisely and in moderation). Consideration for how we use our attachment to sensory experiences.
Aparigraha (non-attachment). Cultivating an attitude of non attachment to the outcome. Developing non-dependence, trust, and self-reliance and enjoying everything life has to offer, whatever that may be.
Niyamas: focuses on how we relate to ourselves and includes:
Saucha (cleanliness) keeping our body, mind, home, and environment clean and tidy – clearing out the clutter in all sense of the word!
Santosha (contentment) learning to be content with what we have in the moment.
Tapas (discipline) cultivating our inner passion and desire to help us reach our full potential.
Svadhyaya (self study) continual learning to deepen our yoga practise and to learn who we really are.
Isvara Pranidhana (surrendering to a higher power) this might be the Universe, Love, God…
Asana – focusing on physical postures and maintaining comfort and ease.
Pranayama – focusing on breathing techniques in order to steady the mind.
Pratyahara – looking inwards.
Dhyana – maintaining focus and concentration.
Dharana – meditation and one pointed focus.
Samadhi – attaining a blissful state.
What are the physical benefits?
The positive impact that Yoga can have physically on the body is extensive, here are a few of the improvements I have seen in others and myself:
- Improved balance (great for fall prevention)
- Increased flexibility through stretching
- Lowers blood pressure and blood sugar levels
- Calms the nervous system through breath-work and releasing tension
- Reduces stress
- Builds strength
- Increases awareness of the body
- Chronic Pain relief
- Improved brain function
What are the mental benefits?
If you long to get to know yourself on a deeper level and still the mind then practising yoga will help immensely! Benefits include:
- Increased emotional resilience
- Anxiety relief
- Compassion for ourselves and others
- Improved sleep by calming the nervous system
- Tools and techniques for managing stress
- A stronger sense of connection with ourselves and others
- Mindfulness
- Meta-cognition (coming into the witness state)
- Concentration and Focus
- Mental down-time
What are the spiritual benefits?
Yoga is about the union of the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual self.
The practice helps us to release tension from all of these areas throughout our body and mind. As we quieten our chatty, wandering mind, we become more aware of the spiritual benefits:
- Transformation – as we practice we begin to deepen our understanding of our mind and body – noticing how we relate to ourselves on and off the mat; this changes the way we see ourselves and others.
- Acceptance – finding the flow in life. The more we resist, the greater it will persist.
- Discovering – your intentions and desires, so you’re more aligned with your true nature and heart’s desires.
- Connection – we are not separate from each other.
- Detachment – not getting caught up in the minor issues and staying open to the unfolding mystery of life.
Any questions? Please get in touch at nadiya@restorativebeing.co.uk or call/message 07800 712998