Yoga
What yoga is, our approach to it and how to start practicing it.
What yoga is
Movement, stillness, breath and unity of being
Many people associate yoga with advanced physical poses performed by experienced and highly flexible individuals. The physical part is definitely a crucial part of yoga but isn’t everything. Having been practiced in the east for thousands of years, Yoga as an tradition arose in ancient India to train both the mind and the body. The essential goal of yoga is to unite the physical with the spiritual.
Yoga contains different parts that tackle different areas of ones immediate reality. The physical positions and exercises are generally referred to asanas and the breathing techniques are known as pranayama. Alongside the manipulation of the body and breath, there are also various meditation and relaxation techniques to liberate and unite the physical with the mind and spirit.
All Articles on Yoga
Different Types of Yoga Clothes for Women
Most people believe that yoga is only about complex body postures, breathing exercises and meditation. While this may be mostly true, there is an area that is sometimes overlooked by some - the issue of proper yoga attire. In some cases having the right clothes could...
Six Benefits of Sitting in Lotus Position
In Hinduism and Buddhism, the lotus flower has been associated with beauty, purity, enlightenment, abundance and rebirth since ancient times. The Sanskrit word Padmasana is a combination of padma (lotus) and asana (pose, seat or throne). The lotus flower is a sacred...
15 Types of Yoga and their Benefits: Which Suits You Best?
The modern yoga world offers an extensive array of diverse teachings, teachers and styles that is both amazing and bewildering. Someone who is new to the practice could easily feel overwhelmed by the excess of options. For the purposes of this article, we’ll delve...
Anatomy Basics for Yoga Practitioners
The study of the complex and wonderful human body is an ongoing process. For yogis, the key is to hone in on the anatomy that is the most relevant to the practice. That way, you can start applying the information to your practice right away. Everyone comes to yoga...
The Meaning of Om (Aum)
Om, also known as Aum (ૐ, ॐ) is a holy sound, symbol and word of great power and meaning. Regarded as sacred in most Indian religions, especially Hinduism but also in Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism, Aum is a holy sound that resonates the primal sound of the universe....
4 Simple Yin Yoga Exercises to Help You Relax
When we think about yoga we most often think about complex movement and poses that require considerable flexibility and strength. Relaxation as an aspect of yoga often gets a overlooked, though it perhaps is equally important, especially when you associate relaxation...
The Meaning of Namaste (Gesture & Word)
Namaste, pronounced nah-mas-tay, is a word and gesture that has increasingly gained popularity in the west with the advent of meditation and yoga these last past decades. If you've ever been to India or any Buddhist country for that matter or even a yoga class in a...
The Difference Between Yoga and Meditation
Many people get yoga and meditation confused as if they are one and the same thing. Though they are both intimately related, there is one key distinction between the two, namely, yoga is a system of practices, philosophies and a way of life developed in ancient India,...
17 Buddhist and Yoga Mudras for Wellbeing & Relaxation
If you look at images of the Buddhas, their hands are always in one mudra or another. Hands folded in the lap signify meditation; a palm held up facing outward signifies the act of teaching; and an open palm pointed downward represents generosity. Basically, a mudra...
Pranayama: 9 Breathing Techniques to Balance Your Energy
The importance of the breath in spiritual practice cannot be overstated. For centuries, countless Buddhists, yogis, and Eastern healers have turned the simple act of breathing into the foundation of their daily practice. For this reason, most meditation styles and...
9 Best Yoga Positions for Better Posture
Good posture is more than merely standing up straight so you can look good. It is a key part of your long-term health. Ensuring that you have a good posture—whether you are standing, seated or moving—can prevent pain, injuries, and other health problems. “Posture” is...
How and Why to Practice Yoga in Nature
Yoga’s ancient tradition is a modern-day treasure. The goal of the practice is to balance the body-mind connection. Yoga was developed in nature and through the observation of nature’s laws and by observing animals, plants and the elements. We are well aware of the...
9 Best Yoga Poses for Better Digestion
Did you know that yoga not only improves muscular flexibility, it can also improve our internal systems? Certain poses actually massage our internal organs and intestines and help improve digestion -- as well as circulation, coordination and much more. Finding ways to...
The Differences & Similarities Between Pilates and Yoga
These two wonderful, hugely popular low-intensity workouts are accessible for all in gyms, studios, schools, leisure centres, some hospitals and of course on YouTube! This last one was a blessing for me during lockdown this year… Love for both has increased...
How to Combine Yoga with Self-Massage
Yoga and self-massage are two great ways of taking care of our wellbeing. In an age where most people routinely sit on rigid chairs for the biggest part of their day, being able to move and to bring comfort to our bodies has become essential to our overall health and...
6+ Yoga Poses & Techniques for Better Sleep
Dealing with sleep deprivation or just have bad sleeping habits? Well you're not alone, in fact, insomnia and bad sleeping habits are one of the most common reasons why people in todays society seek medical treatment. Now, before one resorts to pills and other...
6 Best Essential Oils for Yoga and How to Use Them
Smell is an underrated sense organ. There are many cases in our lives where the nose literally shows us the way, i.e. where to go and what to avoid during the day. Essential oils and aromatherapy in general are natural ways for those that wish to enhance their lives...
5 Simple Yoga Stretches You Can Do at the Desk
It’s been said that sitting is the new smoking. And not just on the couch or in the car- the culprit is also long hours spent at a desk. Whether you work long hours from a desk at home or in the office, it is imperative to move and stretch your body during small...
How to Choose the Right Yoga Clothing & Props
Yoga is practiced by over two billion people around the world. From fast-paced, cardio workout for body, mind and spirit to slow flow, there is a yoga style out there for everyone. The array of variations of modern yoga’s diverse teachings, teachers and styles, is at...
7 Ways to Combine Mindfulness and Yoga
Mindfulness and yoga are like two peas in a pod. Although they come from separate teachings with different origins (though both originally from India ), both of these practices can be combined for maximum effectiveness. Yoga is much more than just a fitness regiment...
10+ Gifts for Yogis and Avid Meditators
The holiday season is upon us. No matter what holiday you’re celebrating this month, and regardless of whether you are a religious, spiritual or secular person, chances are you’re celebrating. December is a month to reflect upon all the highs and lows of the year that...
The Latest on Yoga
Different Types of Yoga Clothes for Women
Most people believe that yoga is only about complex body postures, breathing exercises and meditation. While this may be mostly true, there is an area that is sometimes overlooked by some - the issue of proper yoga attire. In some cases having the right clothes could...
Six Benefits of Sitting in Lotus Position
In Hinduism and Buddhism, the lotus flower has been associated with beauty, purity, enlightenment, abundance and rebirth since ancient times. The Sanskrit word Padmasana is a combination of padma (lotus) and asana (pose, seat or throne). The lotus flower is a sacred...
15 Types of Yoga and their Benefits: Which Suits You Best?
The modern yoga world offers an extensive array of diverse teachings, teachers and styles that is both amazing and bewildering. Someone who is new to the practice could easily feel overwhelmed by the excess of options. For the purposes of this article, we’ll delve...