YOGA

Yoga teaches you how to relax and release tension as well as helping to strengthen and stretch your muscles. It also helps balance and integrate mind, body and spirit, to enhance energy flow and stimulate the body's own natural healing processes. Yoga can ease symptoms of stress and anxiety as it promotes a focus on the present moment, guiding thoughts away from anxiety or worry about future events, shifting the balance from the sympathetic nervous system (or the fight-or-flight response) to the parasympathetic nervous system.

Dozens of scientific trials of varying quality have been published on yoga. Modern science is starting to provide some concrete clues as to how yoga works to improve health and wellness. So you have even more motivation to step onto your mat and give it a try!

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Listed below are some of the many benefits of yoga

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Improves your flexibility and builds muscle strength

Releases tension in your limbs

Perfects your posture and protects your spine

Prevents cartilage and joint breakdown

Improves your bone health

Supports your connective tissue

Increases your blood flow

Drains your lymph glands and boosts immunity

lowers your blood pressure and blood sugar

Regulates your adrenal glands

Improves your balance

Maintains your nervous system

Boosts your mood and reduces anxiety as you focus on the present

Gives you peace of mind and helps you sleep better

Boosts your immune system

Gives your lungs space to breathe

Keeps allergies and viruses at bay

Helps or prevents digestive issues

Guides your body's healing response and helps avoid need for drugs

Connects you with your inner-guidance and gives you inner strength

Promotes a healthy lifestyle and encourages self care

Increases your self-esteem and builds awareness for transformation

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Most studies agree that yoga is a safe and effective way to improve your overall health and wellness as it increase physical activity, improves strength, flexibility and balance and also promote mental well-being.

There are many different styles of yoga, such as Ashtanga, Bikram, Hatha, Iyengar, Sivananda and Vinyasa. Some styles are more vigorous than others, while some may have a different area of emphasis, such as posture or breathing. No style is necessarily better or more authentic than any other. The key is to choose a class appropriate for your fitness level.

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Yoga classes can vary in duration but typically last between 45 and 90 minutes. A longer class will give you more time for learning breathing and relaxation techniques. It's worth speaking to a teacher about their approach before you sign up for a class to see if it best fits your ability and needs.

No specific qualifications are required to teach yoga in the UK, but it is generally accepted that teachers need to be insured. Some teachers may have a teaching certificate and accreditation from a yoga association.

The main UK yoga associations are:

British Wheel of Yoga (BWY), the Sport England-recognised governing body for yoga

Independent Yoga Network

Iyengar Yoga (UK)

Yoga Alliance Professionals

These associations all list teachers and classes near you on their websites.

There may well be classes listed in your local paper.

It is advisable to join a class to ensure you are getting into the correct posture to avoid injury.

However,  if you are not keen to join a class or there are none local to you, there are many yoga classes on the internet. Adriene Mishler is a personal favourite, search www.yogawithadriene.com and you will find yoga to suit your mood and fitness levels from beginner to more advanced.

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Namaste

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