About Yoga

What is Yoga?

Yoga is a Sanskrit word which translates as ‘union’. Yoga can be thought of as the union of body, mind and spirit which is characterised by a feeling of balance, harmony and well-being. Through practising Yoga, the mind settles into a state of increased calmness and clarity and the body is able to relax, strengthen and heal. Originating in India, the holistic system presented by Yoga has been tried and tested over thousands of years.

In Yoga, the individual is treated as a number of inter-connected layers of being. The practices and ideas associated with Yoga operate on all levels to bring about a re-integration of these various layers leading to a sense of wholeness. Through working on the physical body we can make real, positive changes not only to our physical health, but also start to gain a sense of mental and emotional wellbeing and a quieter mind. Working with breathing practices we are able to balance our physical, mental and spiritual energy levels.

Through the deep relaxation reached during meditative practices, we are able to attain a sense of inner stillness, the effects of which radiate outward promoting a sense of wellbeing for ourselves and those around us. Yoga provides lifestyle guidelines, ideas and philosophy from both ancient texts and contemporary sources, which are timeless and compatible with any belief system or stand alone as a framework for ethical living. As a holistic system Yoga brings us back to a natural state of balance and harmony.

Benefits of Practicing Yoga - Holistic Wellness

Benefits of Practicing Yoga
Holistic Wellness

Physical Health:

Improved Posture: A mindful approach to yoga postures and movements can help improve functional movements and promote better alignment. Enhanced Flexibility and Strength: Strength and flexibility are improved naturally which in turn promotes joint health and reduces muscular tension which is no longer serving us.
Pain Relief: Many people report their yoga practices eases aches and pains.
Better Respiratory Health: When tension in the body is released we allow a more efficient functioning of all the muscles of respiration; breathing exercises further enhance lung capacity and overall respiratory function.
Improved Circulation and Digestion: Moving through a yoga practice will naturally and gently have a positive effect on the functioning of the body’s systems.
Appropriate Energy Levels: When we listen to our body, breath and mind and nurture ourselves with the yoga practices that are right for us in the moment we leave the practice energised and vibrant.

Mental Health:

Reduced Anxiety and Stress: Practising yoga reduces the physiological stress responses, fostering feelings of calmness and relaxation.
Improved Mental Clarity and Focus: When we practice awareness of feelings in the body, the senses, the breath and our inner world we improve mental focus and clarity which in turn enhances cognitive function.
Better Sleep: Many yogis report more restful sleep patterns as a result of practice.
Enhanced Patience and Equanimity: The culmination of a balanced yoga practice can leave us with an experience of harmony and wellbeing, and the confidence to handle life’s challenges calmly.
Community and Connection: Yoga classes offer a sense of community; over time, friendships are made and the class becomes a place of sanctuary and emotional support.

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How Does Yoga Work?

The combined effect of practising Yoga is a reduction in the unwelcome physiological effects which arise as a direct result of the stresses and strains of everyday life. Yoga practitioners report:

Yoga poses work on the physical body, easing through muscular tension and helping us to reach a balance between strength and flexibility thereby maintaining joint health. By approaching the postures with an attitude of mindful awareness, we are able to work sensitively with the body and find new ways of moving which will help us in our everyday life. When practised appropriately and under proper guidance, Yoga may allow the body’s natural healing processes to function so that aches and pains such as low back pain and joint discomfort are relieved. Apart from the positive effects on the musculo-skeletal system, the Yoga postures have direct, positive effects on our breathing, digestion, circulation and the functioning of many of our internal organs.

The emphasis on breathing during Yoga poses along with separate, dedicated breathing practices, work directly to improve respiratory health and also help to reverse the physiological responses to stress which we all encounter in everyday life. Learning to control, direct and slow down the breathing has a profound effect on the mind, leaving us feeling calmer and more balanced.

The inner stillness achieved through meditative practices and deep relaxation builds upon the sense of calm achieved through working on the body and the breathing, providing a sense of harmony, clarity and peace, the effects of which enhance the sense of physical relaxation and balance experienced in the body.

What Yogis Say

I have attended Lucy's weekly yoga classes for several years, and I can thoroughly recommend them for anyone looking for a refreshing, beneficial experience which combines mobility exercises, breath-work, meditation, and relaxation. Lucy is very attentive and aware of the differing needs of everyone in her classes, without being at all intrusive or over-bearing. The new Sunday morning workshops in Little Comberton Village Hall are a welcome addition to her offerings, and provide an opportunity to go deeper into some of the more subtle aspects of yoga. All in all, if you're looking for authentic yoga taught by an expert teacher, this is it. - JC

I wanted to say how much I’ve been enjoying this last term. I’ve surprised myself in that I’ve really loved the detail we’ve been looking at re the spine (most unlike me as I’m usually a big picture person) but I have found it so useful for my back and how it’s enhancing my yoga practice. - YR