Yoga is an ancient discipline using postures, breathing techniques, and meditation.
Becoming mindful in our moment to moment living
What is Yoga?
The word “yoga” is a Sanskrit word for “yuj” meaning “to unify” or “to yoke”. Yoga is the union of the body, mind, and spirit, allowing you to connect with your inner self, leading to contentment.
Yoga is not a religion.
The Origin of Yoga.
Developed by the ancient sages of Northern India, yoga dates back more than 5000 years. Yoga was passed down from teacher to student for thousands of years, and was only organized and written down 2000 years ago by, a philosopher named Patanjali. He is known as the father of yoga, and his book is called Yoga Sutras.
What is Hatha Yoga?
Hatha Yoga is a physical discipline, and the most commonly practiced in the western world. It supports taking care of your body to be healthy.
“Hatha” is a word from two Sanskrit words “ha” meaning “sun” and “tha ” meaning “moon”. Hatha yoga promotes balance between the sun and the moon, balancing the opposites in us, the right and left sides of the body and brain, and the masculine and feminine sides of our self.
Notes from Tanya
I myself agree with Rodney Yee “Yoga means learning how to be present with everything that arises, whether it is pain or pleasure, sadness, or joy, failure, or success.” When we are in the present moment we are able to respond with grace and beauty, instead of react in frustration.
I agree with H.David Coulter ” the most important issue in hatha yoga is not flexibility and the ability to do difficult postures, but awareness-awareness of body and breath”. To practice again and again on holding our concentration on breath, on moving in and out of postures with ease, on the physical sensation of holding each posture, this helps us train the mind and body with living in the present moment.
Reflective Yoga- Created by Tanya
A mindful practice, using deep breathing, and inward observation to hold postures longer. The practice allows the body to sink deeper in the posture, remain in the present moment, while calming nervous system and mind. Followed by restorative relaxation. Using bolsters, blankets, and breath work guiding the body into comfort, allowing students to use kindness to look inward, in observing mind, body and emotions. Restoring nervous system and emotions, accessible to everyone, and therapeutic for all layers of self.
Benefits
Asanas/Postures:
Standing postures, balancing postures, inverted postures, twisting postures, forward bending/back bending postures, sitting postures, relaxation postures
- Increasing strength
- flexibility
- circulation
- nervous system
- bone mass
- digestion
- metabolism
- hormonal system
- agility
- coordination
Pranayama/Breathing:
Learning diaphragmatic breathing, the yogic breath, ujjayi breath, nadi shodhana breath, Bhastrika breath, and many more
- Increasing lung capacity,
- Strengthens diaphragm/organs/muscles/liver/kidney
- Calms nervous system
- Improves digestion
- Purifies the blood
- Increases good metabolism
- Improves immune system
- Releasing tension in the body, relieves stress, anxiety
Dharana/Concentration:
Concentration on moving into and out of postures, being in awareness while holding postures, concentrating on breath, or the physical/emotional sensation in the physical body
Concentration or focusing your mind on one thing. For example, holding your focus only on a flower for a period of time. You are conscious and aware of” you” who is focusing on the flower.
- Helps us sense inner awareness, to feel peace and contentment.
- Increasing memory
- Concentration
- Clarity of mind
- Mental alertness
Savasana /Relaxation:
Being still and receptive. The asanas, and pranayama prepare the body physically for relaxation. Relaxation is experienced at the end of each yoga practice, to allow the body to receive healing.
- Relaxation activates the Parasympathetic Nervous System. It focuses on rebuilding the body, nourishing, healing and regeneration. The nerves stimulate the digestion, immune system, and elimination system. It is important that the body gets to the parasympathetic system for healing the body physically, and emotionally. If it is not in this state it is in sympathetic state, fight or flight state. The body is under a great deal of stress, and it uses up all the energy of the body.
Dhyana/Meditaion
Concentration leads to meditation. Meditation is not experiencing nothingness, it is a heightened awareness of holding our concentration with less and less distracting thoughts. When we are pulled away by our thoughts, and become aware of it, we are practicing meditation. Simply congratulate yourself of the awareness, of the distracting thought and come back to what you were concentrating on.
Samadhi/Contemplation:
Information sourced from
Anatomy of Hatha Yoga, H. David Coulter
Maran Illustrated Yoga, MaranGraphics
Moving Towards Balance, 8 weeks of Yoga with Rodney Yee
