Stress is any factor which affects mental or physical health; when stressed muscle tension increases and this causes poor posture [for example hunched shoulders or a clench jaw] and stiff joints.

Through Yoga we help to alleviate the problems and train ourselves to check in with our body during the day so that we can hopefully alleviate the stress level as we progress through the day. 

Yoga means union or yoke – the union between mind/body/soul and can provide perfect harmony and balance.  It is often suggested that yoga originated in India circa 2000 BCE. 

Meditation is a technique for training and exploring the mind by using various systems and methods which encourage “one-pointed” concentration or focus. 

There are many different types of Yoga, but I practice Hatha Yoga which is generally interpreted as the yoga of [physical] action and is practiced in most Western Yoga Classes. 

A general class would consist of the following elements: 

• Relaxation
• Limbering  postures
• Asana/posture work
• Some pranayama/breath awareness
• Some meditation
• Yoga Nidra/deep relaxtion

There is always time in a class to discuss any points or queries you may have, and if a student wishes to do this in a private nature this is available also. 
  

Through practicing Hatha Yoga one’s entire being is made fit and strong and this then helps to deal with the effects of pain/stress.  Stress brings about an imbalance in the  body which then has the knock on effect of feeling unwell, lethargic and having to deal with the problems that then arise. 

In Patanjali Yoga Sutra there is a narrative that describes the action of the thought-waves – “if the surface of a lake is lashed into waves, the water becomes muddy and the bottom cannot be seen.”  The lake represents the mind and if through Yoga practices you can still the waves the journey through life would be much easier. 
 
 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

• That which we persist in doing becomes easier, not that the nature of the task has changed, but an ability to do it has increased.
• This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.
• [People] measure their esteem of each other by what each has, and not by what each is …Nothing can bring you peace but yourself

Sir Edmund Hillary

• It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.