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For more than five thousand years, Yoga has been an art that combines the strengthening of body and mind through deep breathing, meditation and relaxation...

- Its philosophy -

Everything done in Yoga, whether it is a posture, meditation, a mantra or a breathing technique (pranayama), is intended to encourage us to connect our body to the mindfulness. Yoga comes from a desire to understand ourselves and to free ourselves physically and emotionally.

As we practice, Yoga teaches us to link postures of various difficulties with greater ease, coordinated with our breathing, with the most serene mind possible.

- Its different forms -

There are over a hundred different forms of Yoga. And although there are many books and DVDs on the subject, it is worth investing to attend a few classes, with a good guide that can correct our postures.

The most famous yoga practices are :

HATHA : It is a set of basic movements, performed individually or in series.

VINYASA : It is a harmonious sequence of series of positions.

POWER YOGA : It is a fast and intense practice that strongly targets muscle strengthening.

ASHTANGA : It is a series of poses combined with specific breathing sequences.

IYENGAR : This form requires the use of props such as blocks, straps and chairs to help us bring our bodies into proper alignment.

BIKRAM : It is a series of twenty-six poses, of difficult level, to be performed in a room heated to high temperature. Please note that this practice is not accessible to everyone, and it will always be necessary to be well hydrated before and after a session.

- Its benefits -

Yoga has many physiological and psychological benefits…

FOR THE BODY :

Flexibility : To get started in practice, it is not necessary to be very flexible. It is its practice that will gradually improve our elasticity and fluidity. Likewise, when we begin to practice, we will notice areas where we hold tension in our body and weaknesses in some of our joints (wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, etc.).

Muscle tone : By maintaining our balance through the various positions, we simultaneously develop our deep muscles and our stabilizers.

The correct posture : Yoga can help us keep our spine flexible and correct our possible arch often caused by maintaining a prolonged sitting position.

Blood flow : Each cell of our body needs oxygen and nutrients and like other sports activities, Yoga brings us precisely this oxygenation.

FOR THE MIND :

Concentration : An important part of the practice is to focus/anchor ourselves in the present moment, to allow us to be in the « here » and the « now ».

Relaxation : Its practice encourages us to control and deepen our breathing. Breathing through the nose is essentially favoured, because by filtering the air we inhale, it will bring us peace and the feeling of rebuilding ourselves.

Inner strength : In the course of our experience, we will go through feelings that we may not have been aware of. Whether there are demons from the past or gratitude, once on the table, these feelings can be addressed, we will then find, in our daily lives, the inner strength necessary to face our anxieties/anger, and the emotional intelligence to show/accept gratitude/compassion.

- Its practice -

Sessions usually last between 45 minutes and 2 hours. Most instructors will offer us alternatives for difficult postures. As with all thing’s fitness, the more time we put into it, the more it will benefit us, so practicing a routine (three times a week) will help keep us going, while seeing improvements over time.

We can practice anywhere : at home, indoors or outdoors. Yoga is done barefoot on a (Yoga) mat. Even the most basic stretching requires clothing that will allow us to stretch, move, and get into position easily (without being bothered by them or revealing our entire underclothes anatomy). Not insignificant, we will have to leave our ego at the door, it is neither a competition nor a fashion show. If we wish, we can get a balance ball or Yoga circle, a block or two, and straps to help us pull our feet/legs, but these accessories are optional.

Certain things are expected of us, and even if these seem logical to the common mortals, here is a little reminder :

we must arrive before the session to prepare and settle in.

we should never wear strong perfume. And on the contrary, refreshing ourselves a little bit before, can be a good idea and will be appreciated by those who will have to practice near us.

the instructor must not be interrupted. Questions can be asked before or after the lesson.

pain should never be welcomed positively. Where discomfort is acceptable, pain is our red flag telling us to stop.

Each instructor has a unique approach :

Some focus on physical postures, others on meditation ;

Some do mantras, others don't ;

Some adjust the positioning of their students, others do not.

Our experience, from one class to another, can be radically different, without especially being a different style of Yoga. So, let's not give up if we didn't enjoy our first session. Let's try to find a place and someone who makes us feel comfortable and confident.

A Yoga class is a time and a place where we are not judged : it does not matter if we do not achieve this or that movement, because it is more important to go at our own pace to make sure we do things right, than trying to impress everyone.

It is not necessary to know the names of the postures to participate, most instructors provide clear explanations, as well as advice for positioning and breathing to join.

At the end of the session, it is common to see people do without Savasana, on the pretext that we are just lying on the ground. Savasana is important because this is when our body and nervous system relax and rejuvenate, before we plunge back into the hustle and bustle of our lives.

- Physical condition -

If we are a beginner, if we have health problems, if we suffer from hypertension, diabetes or heart problems, we must consult our doctor before starting, because some postures and practices may not be indicated for us.

If we are pregnant, prenatal Yoga (not hot Yoga) can help us stay relaxed, strong and fit. Some adjustments may be necessary as our baby grows. Also, it should not be forgotten that our centre of gravity will shift throughout pregnancy. And we shouldn't try to stretch further than we did before pregnancy, because as the pregnancy hormones relax the joints, we could hurt ourselves.

Conclusions

When we practice, we are in our body, on our mat, in our personal experience and we explore the different layers of our person. Ideally, this trip is to be lived with open arms, mind and heart.

And while it's true that it takes years of practice to master a full sequence, yoga is still an excellent choice if we want a holistic approach to strength our body and our mind.

What do you think?