yoga

Yoga is an Indian system of body movements that combines exercise and meditation in order to improve flexibility, strength, and peace of mind. From the Sanskrit word “yuj” meaning yoke, it is designed to enhance the connection between mind, body and spirit. It is a slow, gentle form of exercise, which makes it appropriate even for seniors and the disabled.

A Yoga session is divided into breathing, relaxation, meditation and posing phases. Controlled, deep, rhythmic breathing helps settle the mind. The student then conducts a kind of mental bodily inventory to go deeper into a state of relaxation, which prepares the mind for meditation.

The poses are slow, gentle stretching movements which resemble an athlete’s warm-up exercises, but positions are held for longer periods and vary greatly in simplicity, from standing straight to headstands.

Yoga has a number of beneficial effects; it induces a strong relaxation reaction, which has many physiological as well as psychological effects; it is also a good physical workout, which stretches and strengthens muscles and improves cardiovascular health.