Wear any light clothing that will not restrict your movements, Tights, Leotards, etc. are not essential. Any loose, comfortable and modest clothing will always be appropriate. Socks or Tights should not be worn for yoga practice, bare
feet ensure a good grip, avoid slipping, and give intimate contact with the
ground.
Have warm clothing available for the relaxation period, the body soon cools down
when relaxing after exercise.
Ideally you will require a yoga mat of some description, whilst a non slip mat is ideal, it is by no means essential at first.
Any exercise mat, towel, or picnic rug will suffice in the beginning.
Most yoga teachers will be able to supply specialist yoga mats and foam blocks once you decide that you wish to
continue with the class.
It is advisable to avoid heavy meals for 4 hours prior to the yoga class. After heavy meals the body diverts energy to the digestion of food
Light meals taken about 2 hours before the class should not cause any problem.
This could be the subject of a whole web site in itself.
We have included a page showing the different types of yoga that you may find locally with brief descriptions
Click Here to go to this page.
Yoga is a life of self discipline based on simple living and
high thinking. It is a way of life, it seeks to integrate the material and the
spiritual and helps one to become a more honest, decent, and useful person. The
word Yoga means Yoke, referring to the joining or holding together of the
physical body and its spiritual aspects.
There are 5 essential aspects of yoga:-
Proper Exercise the Asanas or Postures - these lubricate
the body promoting increased circulation and flexibility and increase Strength
& Stamina - Allows energy to move freely throughout the body - Prepares the
body for sitting in meditation.
Proper Breathing the Pranayama aids the body to recharge
its batteries and release this energy for physical and mental rejuvenation.
Proper Relaxation (Savasana)
helps to cool down the body, relaxation is natures way of recovering. If body
and mind are continually overworked their efficiency diminishes.
Proper Diet provides the correct fuel for the body in
correct quantities. Many yogis are vegetarian but this is not essential.
Positive Thinking and Meditation puts you in control. The
intellect is purified, steadiness and concentration are developed - Aids
concentration by focusing the mind.
Yoga is not just for stretching muscles but is for stretching
the whole being, Body, Mind, and Spirit.
No Yoga is suitable for virtually all fitness levels, Yoga
can be modified so that virtually anyone can take part. It is not unusual for
the Elderly to take part in Yoga sitting in chairs or in Wheelchairs, there are
on the other hand styles of yoga which are suitable for the very fit and all
levels in between. It is a case of finding a yoga class that suits your own
circumstances.
Yoga should help to alleviate stress, it helps with
flexibility of the body, it can help with strength of the body and it can help
with stamina, but that is only the physical benefits. Yoga also works on the
mind and on the subtle energies within the body, it helps to promote a feeling
of well-being, of calmness and helps with relationships with other people.
Yoga is not a religion, many people, including some church
leaders, feel that yoga is teaching the Hindu religion. This is certainly not
the case, Yoga pre dates all religions, it can be practiced by members of all
religions, or those without religion without causing any conflict.
Many Hindus do practice Yoga and this is probably where the confusion occurs,
Yoga originated in the Indian Subcontinent and thus it was natural for the
people of this area to be involved in yoga.
There are many members of the Christian Church and members
of other religions who are actively involved with yoga without feeling any
conflict.
This is the popular view of yoga classes but is far from
reality. The physical side of yoga does involve working towards various yoga
postures. Non of these in themselves are essential, each person in the class
works at their own level and a good yoga teacher will give guidance on
modifications that can be made to postures which that student finds difficult so
that they can progress towards them. Yoga is non competitive and that includes
avoiding competing with yourself, it is far better to accept where you are now
and slowly progress will be made.
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