Good Yoga Overview
Together, we'll be exploring a variety of ways in which yoga can improve your physical health, calm the mind and emotions, reduce stress, and open us to new possibilities for optimal health. We'll be practicing a series of simple, safe and highly effective skills based in yoga for reducing stress and improving overall well-being. These skills include body awareness, breathing, stretching and movement, meditation, and deep relaxation.
To begin any journey we first need to know from where we're starting. This is true of the journey towards health and healing. Through the body awareness exercises that are a component of each class, you'll learn where you hold stress, dis-ease and tension in your body. This is important because becoming aware of an issue is the first step in reducing it. These body awareness skills also enhance the connection between your mind and body and, therefore, allow your body’s natural healing process to function more effectively.
Breathing is another key element. The oxygen that you inhale when you breathe is a major source of nutrients for your body. Breathing more effectively improves your entire health picture. Through the yogic breathing exercises your lung capacity will increase and you'll also learn how smooth, steady breathing will bring greater health to every part of your body. Your circulation will improve; you'll have more energy; greater mental clarity; waste products will be removed more effectively; and your emotions will be calmer. You will also be able to recognize when you are not breathing, which is a sure indication of stress buildup.
Stress tends to accumulate as muscle tension in certain areas of the body such as the neck and shoulders or lower back. Over time this accumulated tension can become a factor in discomfort and pain. Through stretching and movement you'll learn to release and relax these areas of tension. In this way the muscles can learn to relax, and you can let go of stress in every part of the body. The stretching will also tone and strengthen every major joint and muscle in the body. As stress is released, reserves of energy that have been used to fuel the stress response will be available for a more vibrant, relaxed approach to living. As the body relaxes, the mind will also begin to relax and you will come into a state of deep peace in which the healing processes of the body functions optimally.
Relaxation integrates the experience of the class and allows you to soak in the benefits. This is a time to completely let go. In this class you'll learn some very effective deep relaxation techniques. Please allow yourself to fully rest in this state of deep relaxation during each class.
Meditation is different from relaxation in that you are both restful and alert at the same time. It is coming into a place of stillness and connection with the deepest part of yourself. When we meditate, the physiological functioning of the body is improved, the mind becomes calm and clear and deep healing can occur (YOGA). In the type of meditation we'll be doing in this class, you'll be guided step by step, so you can just relax and allow the meditation to happen. Allow yourself to become comfortable with the various elements of the class at your own pace. Be gentle with yourself and be aware of your own body’s limitations in each exercise. Never strain or force any of the movements. Rather, let your own body guide you to an experience that is safe and comfortable. Above all, relax and enjoy the class. Let it be an opportunity to learn new skills that will enhance your health in a safe, enjoyable and effective way.