Yoga
“MY BODY IS MY TEMPLE,
ASANAS ARE MY PRAYERS”
– B.K.S. Iyengar
(Founder of Iyengar Yoga. One of the greatest contemporary authorities on Hatha Yoga)
A holistic set of practices, known and practiced for thousands of years, uniting the body and mind through physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation. The word ‘yoga’ is derived from Sanskrit, where ‘yuj’ means ‘to join’ or ‘to unite,’ reflecting the main goal of this practice – achieving inner harmony.
༄ RELAXES, RELEASES ACCUMULATED MUSCULAR, MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL TENSIONS
Yoga is so much more than just physical exercise. It is a holistic practice that releases tensions and blockages from your body and mind, bringing more lightness and peace into your daily life.
Our body responds to all of our emotions. They can cause both – tension and contraction as well as relaxation and openness. By improving the flow of blood and energy in the body, yoga reduces not only muscular tension but also the related traces (blockages) stored in the body from past emotions and traumas.
At the same time, by slowing down your brain activity, yoga allows you to reach a state of deep relaxation, peace of mind, quieting the stream of thoughts and opening your mind to new solutions.
༄ SUPPORTS NERVOUS SYSTEM REGULATION
Through mindful breathing techniques and carefully selected sequences and asanas (poses), yoga supports the process of balancing the autonomic nervous system, leading to a reduction in cortisol and adrenaline levels and ultimately decreasing stress and anxiety.
༄ IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF YOUR SLEEP
Regular practice supports healthy, restorative sleep, which is essential for your overall well-being.
༄ INCREASES BODY AWARENESS
Mindfulness of various body parts during asanas helps build a deeper awareness of your body, its needs, and the signals it sends. Each practice brings more awareness, more mindfulness and more possibilities. It’s amazing to observe how the body gradually opens up with regular practice.
༄ STRENGTHENS THE BODY
Yoga is a unique practice which, by combining a wide range of intentional asanas, engages the body in a holistic way. A well-structured practice activates nearly every muscle and joint in your body. The muscles of the back and abdomen, which are crucial for our functioning, are strengthened. Most joint and spine problems, on the other hand, stem from joint inactivity, a sedentary lifestyle, and insufficient movement.
SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE?
REGULAR PRACTICE HELPS WITH:
༄ Improving Posture
Strengthened back and abdominal muscles help maintain proper posture and reduce pain associated with prolonged sitting.
༄ Supporting Circulation
Yoga promotes unobstructed blood circulation in the body, counteracting stagnation and swelling often experienced by individuals with a sedentary lifestyle.
༄ Enhancing Overall Well-Being
By reducing muscle tension and improving circulation, yoga positively affects overall physical and mental condition, helping to combat fatigue and stress.
PREPARATION FOR MEDITATION
In the yogic tradition, the main goal of practicing asanas and pranayama is to prepare for meditation.
Through controlled, mindful breathing during physical practice, our mind slows down its activity, allowing for a more effective and deeper entry into a meditative state.
Therefore, I love to combine yoga with the other practices I share in this space.