Yoga Is For Everyone!

Yoga is an ancient Eastern philosophy, a practice rather than a religion, of a harmonizing system of development for the body, mind, and spirit.  It is based on Patanjali’s Eight Limbs, only one of which is Asana, or the physical postures we focus on in the West. The other seven limbs focus on lifestyle, ethics, breathing and meditation, with a goal of enlightenment, or true inner happiness and contentment.

Yoga asanas (postures) consists of a series of poses including standing, balance, inverted, backbending, forward bending, seated, twists and lying down (supine) postures.   Each category has particular health and well-being benefits.

There are many different styles of Western Yoga, including Anusara, Forrest, Baptiste Power, Vinyasa, Yin, Hatha, and more. They offer a range from restorative to bootcamp so individuals are encouraged to sample many different class styles to find the one that resonates most with their body, mind and soul.

Yoga is non-competitive and adaptable to anyone, from children to seniors, from underweight to overweight individuals, from weightlifters to those with chronic pain, injury or illness. Multiple levels can easily be taught in a single class as individuals can adjust their pace and pose to suit their own development.

Yoga is an inner journey as much as a physical practice, therefore individuals are encouraged to delve into any resistance that surfaces, whether it be to holding a pose or to a feeling of competition with, or comparison to, another. Everyday yoga practitioners have the opportunity to travel outside their comfort zone to their "edge" and that edge changes daily, just as life's lessons change daily.

The benefits of a having a consistent yoga asana practice are far and wide. It makes the body strong and flexible, it improves the functioning of the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and hormonal systems and brings about emotional stability and clarity of mind.

Yoga's Physical Benefits

Yoga Increases
• Flexibility & strength
• Joint’s range of motion
• Cardiovascular efficiency
• Respiratory efficiency
• Grip strength
• Energy level
• Endurance
• Immunity
  

Yoga Stabilizes
• Weight
• Nervous System
• Endocrine function
• Gastrointestinal function

Yoga Decreases
• Pulse & Respiratory rates
• Aches and Pain

Yoga Improves
• Eye-hand coordination
• Reaction time
• Dexterity skills
• Balance
• Posture
• Excretory functions

Yoga's Psychological Benefits

Yoga Improves
• Mind/Body neuro connection
• Cognitive function
• Learning efficiency
• Depth perception
• Concentration
• Attention
• Memory
• Mood

Yoga Increases
• Self-actualization
• Self-acceptance
• Social skills
• Well-being

Yoga Decreases or Eliminates
• Depression
• Hostility
• Anxiety