What is Yoga?

Yoga is an harmonious, inspiring and transformative holistic practice that includes postures (asanas), breathing (pranayama), meditation (dhyana), spiritual awareness and disciplines that draw on the wisdom and philosophy of the ancient yogis.

Yoga helps release energies that no longer serve you and instill a deep sense of joy, compassion and inner-peace. Yoga reconnects you with your inner-wisdom and the power you hold to, in each present moment, courageously stand in your truth. It helps you overcome the obstacles that may keep you from finding freedom, gratitude, acceptance and beauty even when things aren’t always perfect.

The word yoga, comes from a Sanskrit root meaning to join, unite – the union of “Ha” and “Tha”, the sun and the moon, our light & shadow sides, our masculine and feminine qualities, but above all, the realisation of non-duality. It allows us to experience beyond our perceived individuality and ego, instilling a profound sense of bliss, love and interconnectedness; a higher awareness that in our divine essence we are all one.

Yoga strengthens and brings flexibility to both body and mind allowing for more grounding in the present moment and a resourceful approach to every day challenges. During your practice high vibrational energy channels, called nadis, are cleared and opened, helping you heal any dis-ease or imbalances.

Yoga is a big high for all us “natural junkies” out there as it makes you feel instantly  revitalised and rejuvenated and more confident in your ability to cope with any situation coming from a place of compassion, acceptance and love. Yet as wonderful as it feels, it is not a quick fix; to experience the true exhilarating depths of yoga, it involves courageous self-reflection, mindfulness, transformation, healing and growth, which for most of us is a life-long spiritual journey. (read more in ‘My Yoga Story’)

Patanjali, the father of modern yoga, defined yoga as: Yogas citta vrtti nirodha  – its main purpose being to control or still the fluctuations of the mind, which we know today as “mind chatter” or “monkey mind”. I consider this one of the most powerful concepts of yoga as it compels you to be in the present moment, in stillness, connecting with your breath, realigning with your soul’s purpose and essence of pure love.