Yoga
Yoga
Yoga is an ancient yet living and evolving collection of practices linked to physical, mental and spiritual development. Its theory base includes ideas and principles relating to health, fitness, psychology and spirituality. Yoga recognises that humans are multi-dimensional and that health and being at ease with oneself is a multilayered holistic process. Yoga practices reflect this and though we may focus more at times more on the body ,or the breath, or the mind or how we live our lives - the effect will always be on the whole of us. My teaching explores the main contemporary practices in yoga of asana (postures), pranayama (breathing practices), body centring and meditation as a creative means to bring ourselves to a place of calm, quiet and inner exploration. It is not complicated in one sense , but there is much to explore ! Appreciation of all that it has to offer takes time and practice.
My Approach to Yoga Teaching and Teacher/Student Empowerment.
Whilst I'm respectful of the historical yoga tradition and wisdom that has been handed down to us, I am equally interested in a yoga practice that is realistic and relevant in our current 21st Century context. I wouldn't place myself particularly in one style or another - I teach yoga as I understand it after 25 plus years practice and study of various traditions as well as Thai massage and Thai yoga (Reusi Dat Ton). The nature of classes depends on the group, but in general I teach a structured slow flowing approach to the asanas (postures) and variously include pranayama (breathing practices), relaxation, physical and mental centring practices, and meditation.
For me as a teacher the most important element of yoga is that the individual is empowered to trust their own inner reference systems in both practice and life. Whilst we all need guidance from those who have practiced longer in order to gain an understanding of the practices and technicalities involved, ultimately for me the role of the teacher is to empower the student to understand and trust themselves on many levels both in their practice and in life. This in essence is a potential of yoga to uncover our inner teacher and guide.
Something of my development in Yoga is illustrated in this blog here
Yoga, Meditation and Spirituality
Yoga philosophy in essence carries the message that at a deep level all of life is interconnected through conciousness and nature. Yoga practice, study and inquiry provide the means to directly realise this for ourselves beyond conceptual doubt; practice may in turn influence and support our deepest values and how we choose to live. More on this here
Why do Yoga?
Even those of us who have practiced this for decades find ourselves asking this question. We may all need reminding what we're practicing and why ! The answer is perhaps best summarised by one yoga teacher wit friend of mine who in response to the question 'how often should I practice? ' put it: 'you only need to practice yoga on the days you want to feel better'. This is one thing I find consistently to be true in life - when I practice I feel better! (That doesn't mean that we will always do that such are the quirks of hiuman beings)
Here are a few reasons why I think I have stuck with it for over 25 years now.
- It keeps me healthy, fit, strong, centred and tension free in proportion to the amount I practice.
- This gives me more energy to live my life.
- It helps me to take responsibility for my life and how it's going.
- My relationships with family, friends, nature and beyond are enriched due to it.
- It keeps me in touch with the bigger perspective.
- It gets more interesting the longer I do it.
- It prevents me getting injured when playing competitive table tennis (seriously!).
- It makes dancing more fun.
Yoga for Beginners
As a beginner in yoga it can be best to start without too many assumptions , yoga is fun and interesting to start for the joy and freedom of movement, to relax or for no good reason at all. But if you decide it's for you, and are prepared to practice, it can really support your life.
