The Sanskrit word yoga means ‘union’ or ‘to unite’. In a class environment this can be interpreted as a union between the mind, body and breath as we flow through our practice. But on a much deeper level the practice of yoga is intended to be a way of life, a way of helping each of us achieve our highest potential and experience a life that brings great happiness, freedom and contentment by uniting us with our true selves, with all that is, with the universal.

For many the practice of yoga begins with asana (or postures), which is a great place to start as through the practice of asana our bodies start to come into balance. We increase flexibility, strength and stamina and begin to get to know our bodies. We start to cleanse our energies, refine the nervous system, open and release on both a physical and mental level. We learn how to breathe fully and freely and to create a sense of calm in the mind. Whether you only ever come to yoga as a ‘physical practice’ the positive side effects of getting in touch with your true self, boosting self-esteem and creating a sense of wellbeing and calm are catching!

Asana practiced alone gives us amazing benefits but asana is just one small part of the practice of yoga, just one of eight limbs of yoga as presented to us by the sage Patanjali in 300 B.C.E. In his Yoga Sutras Patanjali gives us a guide for living and shows us how through the practice of yoga we can take the inner journey of awakening.

These eight disciplines are:
1) Yamas – universal ethics (Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha)
2) Niyamas – personal practices (Saucha, Santosha, Tapas, Svadhyaya, Ishvarapranidhana)
3) Asana – practice of physical postures
4) Pranayama – control of the breath
5) Pratyahara – refinement of the senses
6) Dharana – concentration
7) Dhyana – meditation
8) Samadhi – inner bliss