Yoga
Yoga is a sankript word which can be simply translated as ‘union of mind and body’. The philosophy of Yoga can be traced back thousands of years to the ancient texts of the Vedas, the pillar of the Hindu religion whilst it’s history may be broadly divided into four time periods : Vedic, Pre Classical, Classical and Post Classical.
The 200 scriptures of the Upanishads describe explain three subjects: the ultimate reality (Brahman), the transcendental self (atman), and the relationship between the two. The Upanishads further explain the teachings of the Vedas and mark the Pre Classical period.
Aproximately 500 B.C. the Bhagavad-Gita was written and is currently the oldest known Yoga scripture being entirely devoted to Yoga. The central premise of the Bhabavad –Gita is that we need to devote our active lives to being exceeding our egos and underlying ‘negative’ traits we have as human beings and concentrate on the positive aspects which are beneficial to ourselves and mankind.
Yoga is a sankript word which can be simply translated as ‘union of mind and body’. The philosophy of Yoga can be traced back thousands of years to the ancient texts of the Vedas, the pillar of the Hindu religion whilst it’s history may be broadly divided into four time periods : Vedic, Pre Classical, Classical and Post Classical.
The 200 scriptures of the Upanishads describe explain three subjects: the ultimate reality (Brahman), the transcendental self (atman), and the relationship between the two. The Upanishads further explain the teachings of the Vedas and mark the Pre Classical period.
Aproximately 500 B.C. the Bhagavad-Gita was written and is currently the oldest known Yoga scripture being entirely devoted to Yoga. The central premise of the Bhabavad –Gita is that we need to devote our active lives to being exceeding our egos and underlying ‘negative’ traits we have as human beings and concentrate on the positive aspects which are beneficial to ourselves and mankind.
The Gita is a conversation between Prince Arjuna and God-man Krishna and it basically stresses the importance of opposing evil.
Around the second century B.C (reports seem to differ on the exact time period) the Yoga Sutras were written by Patanjali and were consequently passed down verbally from teacher to student marking the Classical period. It is composed of 195 sutras which identify and explain the underlying principle of Raja Yoga as being split into ‘Eight Limbs’ (the Eight Fold Path).
1. Yama, which means social restraints or ethical values;
2. Niyama, which is personal observance of purity, tolerance, and study;
3. Asanas or physical exercises;
4. Pranayama, which means breath control or regulation;
5. Pratyahara or sense withdrawal in preparation for Meditation;
6. Dharana, which is about concentration;
7. Dhyana, which means Meditation; and
8. Samadhi, which means ecstasy.
Around the second century B.C (reports seem to differ on the exact time period) the Yoga Sutras were written by Patanjali and were consequently passed down verbally from teacher to student marking the Classical period. It is composed of 195 sutras which identify and explain the underlying principle of Raja Yoga as being split into ‘Eight Limbs’ (the Eight Fold Path).
1. Yama, which means social restraints or ethical values;
2. Niyama, which is personal observance of purity, tolerance, and study;
3. Asanas or physical exercises;
4. Pranayama, which means breath control or regulation;
5. Pratyahara or sense withdrawal in preparation for Meditation;
6. Dharana, which is about concentration;
7. Dhyana, which means Meditation; and
8. Samadhi, which means ecstasy.
This focus and meditation on the spiritual and philosophical aspects of yoga shows a marked reduction in the emphasis of physical (asana) practice in Raja Yoga.
The Post Classical yoga is different to the other three ‘periods’ in that it concentrates more on the present and encourages a person to live for the moment as opposed to freeing oneself from the restraints of reality.
During the Post Classical period and especially the last two hundred years since yoga was introduced to the West many systems of Yoga have developed and each has it’s own particular characteristic. For instance Raja yoga places an emphasis on the integration and balance of the 8 fold path whilst Ashtanga has come to emphasize the practice of Hatha Yoga (the physical practice of asanas or body postures) with unique breathing patterns to link the movements together. In fact it is the distinct movement patterns of Ashtanga which is responsible for the boom in popularity of various names such as ‘Flow’ and ‘Power’ Yoga over the last few years.
The Post Classical yoga is different to the other three ‘periods’ in that it concentrates more on the present and encourages a person to live for the moment as opposed to freeing oneself from the restraints of reality.
During the Post Classical period and especially the last two hundred years since yoga was introduced to the West many systems of Yoga have developed and each has it’s own particular characteristic. For instance Raja yoga places an emphasis on the integration and balance of the 8 fold path whilst Ashtanga has come to emphasize the practice of Hatha Yoga (the physical practice of asanas or body postures) with unique breathing patterns to link the movements together. In fact it is the distinct movement patterns of Ashtanga which is responsible for the boom in popularity of various names such as ‘Flow’ and ‘Power’ Yoga over the last few years.
It should be noted that Hatha yoga is not a particular style or system but just means to practice the physical postures (asanas). In fact all ‘styles’ of Yoga incorporate various amounts of Hatha practice in their respective systems. In fact one might say that the popularity of Yoga today is due mostly to the beneficial effects of practicing the ‘Hatha’ component alone. At Bodyworks we use the name Hatha as a generic term for a class which incorporates movements and postures from various distinct systems of practice.
The following is a short introduction and explanation of the various classes.
Please note : We fully advise that anyone suffering from back, joint pain or other musculo-skeletal pain should refrain from participating in the Ashtanga and Flow classes.
The Iyengar method of Yoga
Is initially learnt through the in-depth study of asanas (posture) and pranayama (breath control). Mr Iyengar has systematised over 200 classical yoga Asanas and 14 different types of Pranayamas (with variations of many of them) from the simple to the incredibly difficult.
The following is a short introduction and explanation of the various classes.
Please note : We fully advise that anyone suffering from back, joint pain or other musculo-skeletal pain should refrain from participating in the Ashtanga and Flow classes.
The Iyengar method of Yoga
Is initially learnt through the in-depth study of asanas (posture) and pranayama (breath control). Mr Iyengar has systematised over 200 classical yoga Asanas and 14 different types of Pranayamas (with variations of many of them) from the simple to the incredibly difficult.
Iyengar cont....
These have been structured and categorised so as to allow a beginner to progress surely and safely from basic postures to the most advanced as they gain flexibility, strength and sensitivity in mind, body and spirit. Iyengar style of practice is well known for the use of props such as ropes ,chairs and bolsters making it a very safe form of practice and especially beneficial to persons who suffer from musculo-skeletal problems.
Flow
Flow yoga is based on ashtanga yoga with the linking of one asana to the next in a fluid movement. Its more than a simple set of physical maneuvers. It is a dynamic marriage of our internal and external worlds. A balance of strength and flexibility, lightness and heaviness, movement and stillness.?Eventually, the practice may become a rhythmic dance with a calm mind.
Ashtanga
Also called eight limb path yoga Ashtanga is a series of yoga postures combined fluently into a set of movements, among which every posture is in harmony with breath, and breath assists to finish every posture.
These have been structured and categorised so as to allow a beginner to progress surely and safely from basic postures to the most advanced as they gain flexibility, strength and sensitivity in mind, body and spirit. Iyengar style of practice is well known for the use of props such as ropes ,chairs and bolsters making it a very safe form of practice and especially beneficial to persons who suffer from musculo-skeletal problems.
Flow
Flow yoga is based on ashtanga yoga with the linking of one asana to the next in a fluid movement. Its more than a simple set of physical maneuvers. It is a dynamic marriage of our internal and external worlds. A balance of strength and flexibility, lightness and heaviness, movement and stillness.?Eventually, the practice may become a rhythmic dance with a calm mind.
Ashtanga
Also called eight limb path yoga Ashtanga is a series of yoga postures combined fluently into a set of movements, among which every posture is in harmony with breath, and breath assists to finish every posture.
Ashtanga cont...
The order of the postures is designed elaborately and can improve the health of your body leading to a good state of mind. This exercise helps to balance force and flexibility and improve cardiovascular function and is considered to be rigorous to practice.
Yin yoga
Yin Yoga contains the ancient, and some say original, form of asana practice. The sages who pioneered the path of yoga used asanas to strengthen the body, so that they could sit for long periods in contemplative meditation. If you have ever sat for a long time with legs crossed, you know the hips and lower back need to be strong and open. The sensations you feel are deep in the connective tissues and the joints. These are the deep yin tissues of the body, relative to the more superficial yang tissues of muscles and skin. Yin Yoga opens up these deep, dense, rarely touched areas. Consistent practice of the Yin postures will maintain and improve the free flow of qi in these pathways.
Hatha yoga
A form of yoga practice which uses physical means for purposes of self-development, teaching that it is possible to
The order of the postures is designed elaborately and can improve the health of your body leading to a good state of mind. This exercise helps to balance force and flexibility and improve cardiovascular function and is considered to be rigorous to practice.
Yin yoga
Yin Yoga contains the ancient, and some say original, form of asana practice. The sages who pioneered the path of yoga used asanas to strengthen the body, so that they could sit for long periods in contemplative meditation. If you have ever sat for a long time with legs crossed, you know the hips and lower back need to be strong and open. The sensations you feel are deep in the connective tissues and the joints. These are the deep yin tissues of the body, relative to the more superficial yang tissues of muscles and skin. Yin Yoga opens up these deep, dense, rarely touched areas. Consistent practice of the Yin postures will maintain and improve the free flow of qi in these pathways.
Hatha yoga
A form of yoga practice which uses physical means for purposes of self-development, teaching that it is possible to
Hatha cont...
attain a certain grade of psychomental abstraction and to develop some of the lower vital-astral powers, by means of a set of physical exercises and postures, by the regulation of the breath, or by certain other psychophysical methods.
Hot Yoga
Hot yoga is a series of yoga poses practiced in a heated room. The room is usually maintained at a temperature of 38°c--42°c which produces profuse sweating and is reputed to help rid the body of toxins. This system of yoga has 26 poses with a class lasting one hour or one and half hour. Hot yoga for is particularly suitable for beginners.
attain a certain grade of psychomental abstraction and to develop some of the lower vital-astral powers, by means of a set of physical exercises and postures, by the regulation of the breath, or by certain other psychophysical methods.
Hot Yoga
Hot yoga is a series of yoga poses practiced in a heated room. The room is usually maintained at a temperature of 38°c--42°c which produces profuse sweating and is reputed to help rid the body of toxins. This system of yoga has 26 poses with a class lasting one hour or one and half hour. Hot yoga for is particularly suitable for beginners.
