Yoga is the most complete and wonderful form of mental and physical exercise. It develops a flexible, strong and healthy body and a calm clear and focused mind. Yoga - with practice - will also help you control your emotions; give you peace of mind and inner strength. Yoga requires no special clothing or equipment, apart from a few optional props, which enable you to extend a little further and to improve the alignment of your joints. Yoga can be done anywhere, by anyone, and at any level of fitness. It does not matter where or when you begin, all it requires is a desire to improve on what you have and a will to practice what you learn. Some people are attracted to yoga for the physical benefits such as weight loss, suppleness and muscular strength. Many want the benefits gained by better breathing, improved posture, balance, poise and co-ordination, or a general feeling of well-being and youthfulness. Others are looking for the mental benefits of a calm, quiet mind; the ability to relax, let go of tension and negativity and hope to experience the many benefits that meditation can bring.

History Of Yoga

When yoga first appeared in the west, most people associated it with standing on your head, twisting yourself into a knot or lying on a bed of nails. It iWhen yoga first appeared in the west, people associated it with Hinduism and strange feats such as lying on a bed of nails, standing on your head or twisting the body into a knot. Nowadays it is quite usual to see yoga featured on television or in popular magazines. It is no longer considered strange to be a yogi or a vegetarian and the benefits to be obtained from practicing meditation and yoga have been medically and scientifically researched and proven. Yoga probably originated in Persia and moved to India several thousand years ago. It was taught by word of mouth. There were no written yoga records until a sage called Patanjali wrote a brief treatise known as the Yoga Sutra. In it he outlined the eightfold path, which is designed to lead the yogi to enlightenment, or liberation and he defines yoga as "a suspension of the modifications of the mind" or 'stilling the waves of the mind'; to be obtained through various techniques such as control of the vital energy (breath control) and a steady (meditative) pose.

Hatha Yoga

The yoga associated with physical exercises, postures or asanas is called Hatha (Ha-tha) Yoga. In the original yoga texts there were 84 classic or traditional postures; now there are more than 84,000. Postures range from easy and very simple to extremely difficult, demanding and complex but even those can be simplified and modified to cater for individual limitations. It is important to remember that force usually results in resistance. There are many styles of Hatha yoga, some are named after, or by, the Guru who originated the style, such as Iyengar, Satyananda, and Sivananda or Astanga Yoga and Power Yoga. Some forms can be extremely demanding and it is very important to make enquiries about the experience of the teacher and the style that is taught. Find a teacher you feel comfortable with and a form that suits you. A good teacher will encourage you to extend your limits but will never force you to go beyond them unless you are willing. Remember, it is your body and this is your journey!

Yoga Philosopy

Yogis regard the body as a temple of the soul and yoga philosophy teaches you to listen to the wisdom of the body and care for it with awareness and intelligence. It encourages you to understand yourself and the world you live in; to be content, self-disciplined and true to your innermost self. To live mindfully and honour the higher principle, the divine self within you. From the very young to the very old, yoga is a wonderful way to maintain all those abilities we fear losing as we age, and to develop a balanced mental attitude to the whole process of living. Yoga is a way of life and your experience of yoga should be something you enjoy and look forward to - for the rest of your life.