28 May 2015 in Theory, Training

Yoga

Yoga is a Hindu philosophical system propagating the idea of body and mind unity, underlying the necessity of living in accordance with ethics, promoting meditation as a pillar of spiritual development, and appropriate body exercises (Hatha yoga) as a way leading to self-discovery.

In Europe and the USA yoga was popularized by master B.K.S Iyengar a disciple of Śri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya – “the father of modern Hatha yoga”.

Yoga influences our health a lot and in a positive way through asanas and breathing practice (pranayama). Each particular asana (a yoga posture) has a healing effect on practitioner’s body in its own way. Not only muscles but also internal organs are healed. When we practice yoga, we increase our body awareness, we can feel the energy flowing through our bodies, we understand better the role of breathing in our lives.

By practicing yoga we build our self-awareness and feel part of nature. Yoga teaches patience and calms down. It does not take energy from you, it rather gives you more of it. It lets you get rid of stress, calm down and live more carefully and fully. Some yoga practitioners are interested only to practice asanas treating yoga as another form of physical activity.

For those especially impatient Ashtanga yoga has been invented. This yoga system offers performing asanas at a fast pace. This form of exercising is also beneficial because it makes our bodies more flexible. Yet, I would like to encourage you to practice the full yoga system with an experienced instructor. After a few years you can practise yoga on your own.