What is Yoga?
Yoga isn’t something we can explain, it’s something that is personal to each and every one of us with our own journey. Yoga is seen as a more spiritual practice which is why the tool of yoga supports more of our mental health not just through meditation or the poses, but through the breathing techniques we use as well.
Yoga goes back thousands and thousands of years ago, no one actually knows when yoga was found as they believe it to be in ancient texts, however Yoga isn’t just practiced on the mat with poses we often see others in, it’s practiced off the mat as well, bringing the 8 limbs of yoga into place (Yamas: self-restraint, Niyama: observance, Asana: poses, Pranayama: breath, Pratyahara: withdrawal of the senses, Dharana: concentration, Dhyana: meditation and Samadhi: union).
There are many types and styles of yoga which can be found in the blog on this website.
In more physical terms, Yoga asanas (poses) are practiced on the mat or even without, using the breath with the movement of the body, building strength in certain areas of the body, along with a more emphasis on gaining more flexibility, balance and relaxation helping our mental health.