Yoga Explained by Vanessa Graham
There are many misconceptions about what yoga means today and you might be confused by the variety on offer. It is not just a form of physical exercise. It is based on ancient teachings, which have been handed down over thousands of years. They are written in sanskrit, which is a beautiful sounding alphabet and lyrical when spoken. Although adopted by the Hindu religion, it is attached to no specific religion and encompasses all.
In ancient times yoga was the preliminary exercise to enable the body to sit in meditation. It relaxed and quietened the body to enable it to sit for long periods. We all know how difficult it is to sit still in our very busy lives and this is where practising yoga can reap many benefits.
When practising you work on all levels of the body, mind and spirit. I expect you have seen many pictures of people contorted into difficult positions and thought this is not for you. Yoga is for all ages and all abilities, where you work to your own comfort capacity. Yoga starts by gentle stretching, easing the body into simple positions. It can even be done on a chair or in bed.
An important aspect of yoga is breathing, learning to breathe properly. By breathing correctly you can eliminate toxins and fatigue from your body. Deep breathing allows the body to calm and by following your breathing you can calm you mind at the same time. As the body and mind are slowed down, healing can take place.
Breath is not just only about breathing air, there are universal energies called prana that are carried on the breath. So by breathing properly the prana is carried around the body as a healing force. As a reiki master I use the universal energies in a more proactive way to encourage healing. Healing is not just physical, it involves our mental and emotional levels as well. I encourage people to take healing into their own hands by using these energies.
So after simple, easy postures with concentration on your breathing there is a period of relaxation, which allows the good work of the postures to be done, as by gently squeezing and stretching internal muscles and organs, toxins and fatigue can be released from the body. Following relaxation of the body and mind, a deeper state of relaxation naturally develops and this is where meditation begins. This simply is resting in the silence and space that have been created which it is where the spiritual or Divine aspect of ourselves can be revealed.
I have been practising yoga for over twenty years and I have been teaching it for two. My main focus is teaching meditation where I have studied it with teachers in Argentina, Spain and regularly in London.
Yoga is for everyone and to gain the maximum benefit it is beneficial to practice at home regularly. It can be used to deal with difficult health problems, pain and tiredness.
If there was enough interest, a small group could be formed to regularly meet at the Utilitarian Hall in Henfield. I regularly hold meditation groups from my Henfield home on a Monday evening and yoga classes on a Tuesday evening. One to one and reiki treatments are by arrangement. For more information you can phone 01273 495554 or email Vanessa
For details of other yoga groups please go to the Classes Page and see where other classes are taking place.
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