"The Mind is everything. What You think, you become"

Yoga is an ancient and complex practice, rooted in Indian philosophy. It began as a spiritual practice but has become popular as a way of promoting physical and mental well-being.

Although classical yoga also includes other elements, yoga as practiced in the United States typically emphasizes physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation (dyana). 

There are many different yoga styles, ranging from gentle practices to physically demanding ones. Differences in the types of yoga used in research studies may affect study results. This makes it challenging to evaluate research on the health effects of yoga.

Yoga and two practices of Chinese origin—tai chi and qigong—are sometimes called “meditative movement” practices. All three practices include both meditative elements and physical ones.

• Help improve general wellness by relieving stress, supporting good health habits, and improving mental/emotional health, sleep, and balance.
• Relieve low-back pain and neck pain, and possibly pain from tension-type headaches and knee osteoarthritis.
• Help people who are overweight or obese lose weight.
• Help people quit smoking.
• Help people manage anxiety or depressive symptoms associated with difficult life situations.
• Relieve menopause symptoms.
• Help people with chronic diseases manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.(NCCIH)

 Yoga is generally considered a safe form of physical activity for healthy people when performed properly, under the guidance of a qualified instructor. However, as with other forms of physical activity, injuries can occur. The most common injuries are sprains and strains, and the parts of the body most commonly injured are the knee or lower leg. Serious injuries are rare. The risk of injury associated with yoga is lower than that for higher impact physical activities.

Older adults may need to be particularly cautious when practicing yoga. The rate of yoga-related injuries treated in emergency departments is higher in people age 65 and older than in younger adults.

To reduce your chances of getting hurt while doing yoga:

• Practice yoga under the guidance of a qualified instructor. Practicing yoga by self-study without supervision has been associated with increased risks.
• If you’re new to yoga, avoid extreme practices such as headstands, shoulder stands, the lotus position, and forceful breathing.
• Be aware that hot yoga has special risks related to overheating and dehydration.
• Pregnant women, older adults, and people with health conditions should talk with their health care providers and the yoga instructor about their individual needs. They may need to avoid or modify some yoga poses and practices. Some of the health conditions that may call for modifications in yoga include preexisting injuries, such as knee or hip injuries, lumbar spine disease, severe high blood pressure, balance issues, and glaucoma.(NCCIH)
• ** Always check with your doctor before starting a new exercise or fitness program, especially if you have any medical problems or are an older adult. **

Hatha yoga is always recommended for beginner yogis as it's considered a gentler form of yoga. It is, traditionally, a slower-moving class where you hold each pose for a few breaths while maintaining a focus on improving posture. 

  Restorative yoga is also a great place to start when you’re dipping your toes in the world of yoga because anyone can do it.

This type of yoga taps into the parasympathetic nervous system and is great for people with anxiety. Props like blankets, bolsters, and pillows are available to make sure you’re leaning into the poses as comfortably as possible because they are typically held for longer periods of time in order to experience deep relaxation.

.

• Your Root Chakra focuses on stability and security. It helps you feel grounded and able to withstand challenges.
• Your Sacral Chakra rules sexual and creative energy. It also influences how you relate to your emotions and the emotions of others.
• Your Solar Plexus Chakra is all about confidence, as well as helping you feel in control of your life.
• Your Heart Chakra is linked to self-love and love for others.
• Your Throat Chakra is a place of speaking truth and ensuring your inner truths are properly communicated.
• Your Third Eye Chakra governs your intuition. It's also linked to imagination.
• Your Crown Chakra is all about your connection to spirituality. It also plays a role in your life’s purpose.

Symbol: The Root Chakra symbol consists of a 4-petalled lotus flower, a square, and a downward-facing triangle. Each element is said to represent the 4 aspects of the human mind, uniting to form the birth of the human consciousness. 

Color: Red

Element: Earth 

Location: The Root Chakra also known as the Muladhara Chakra is located at the base of the spine, between the anus and the genitals. It is characterized by the emotions of survival, stability, ambition, and self-sufficiency. 

Symptoms of a blocked Root Chakra: When this chakra is out of balance, a person starts feeling unstable, ungrounded, lack of ambition, lack of purpose, fearful, insecure and frustrated. 

Signs of a balanced/imbalanced Root Chakra: However, when the Root Chakra is balanced, these are replaced by more positive emotions, and you feel stable, confident, balanced, energetic, independent, and strong. 

Mantra: The seed mantra (beej mantra) of Muladhara Chakra is ‘Lam’.

Yoga poses to balance the Root Chakra: Tree Pose (Vrkshasana) and Mountain Pose (Tadasana)

Symbol: The symbol for the Svadhishthana Chakra or Sacral Chakra is made up of multiple circles, a crescent moon, and six lotus flower petals. The circles and crescent moon represent the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth, while the 6 petals portray the 6 negative aspects of our nature that we need to overcome to open this chakra. 

Color: Orange

Element: Water 

Location: The Svadhishthana Chakra, more commonly known as the Sacral Chakra, is located in the lower abdomen, about four fingers below the navel. Its attributes include the basic need for sexuality, as well as creativity and self-worth. 

Symptoms of a blocked/imbalanced Sacral Chakra: When the Sacral Chakra is imbalanced, a person may feel emotionally explosive and irritable, sense a lack of energy and creativity, feel manipulative, or obsessed with sexual thoughts. 

Signs of a balanced Sacral Chakra: When balanced, it makes one feel more vibrant, happy, positive, satisfied, compassionate, and intuitive.  

Mantra: The seed mantra (beej mantra) of Svadhishthana Chakra is ‘Vam’.

Yoga poses to activate the Sacral Chakra: You can work on balancing the Svadhishthana Chakra by practicing poses like Crow Pose (Kakasana) or standing poses like Triangle Pose (Trikonasana).

Symbol: The Solar Plexus Chakra symbol consists of a downward-pointing triangle within a ten-petalled lotus flower. The ten petals symbolize ten negative character traits that we have to conquer, while the triangle is the Agni tattva or fire of kundalini energy which signifies our inner strength. 

Color: Yellow

Element: Fire 

Location: The Manipura Chakra is located at the solar plexus, between the navel and the bottom of the rib cage. It is characterized by emotions like ego, anger, and aggression. 

Symptoms of a blocked/imbalanced Solar Plexus Chakra: An imbalance of the Solar Plexus Chakra can manifest physically as digestive problems, liver problems, or diabetes. On an emotional level, one might struggle with depression, lack of self-esteem, anger, and perfectionism. 

Signs of a balanced Solar Plexus Chakra: By balancing this chakra, we feel more energetic, confident, productive, and focused. 

Mantra: The seed mantra (beej mantra) of Manipura Chakra is ‘Ram’.

Yoga poses for Solar Plexus Chakra alignment: Working on Manipura Chakra can be done in poses like Classical Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana), Classical Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana), and Bow Pose (Dhanurasana).

Symbol: In the Heart Chakra symbol, two triangles intersect to form a yantra which represents the balance of yin and yang, or upward and downward forces. Outside, there is a lotus flower with 12 petals symbolizing the twelve divine qualities associated with the heart. 

Color: Green

Element: Air 

Location: As the name implies, the Anahata Chakra is located in the heart region. This chakra is the seat of balance, and it is characterized by emotions of love, attachment, compassion, trust, and passion. 

Symptoms of a blocked/imbalanced Heart Chakra: When the heart chakra is imbalanced, a person may deal with emotional issues like anger, lack of trust, anxiety, jealousy, fear, and moodiness. 

Signs of a balanced Heart Chakra: By harmonizing this energy center, a person begins to feel more compassionate, caring, optimistic, friendly, and motivated. 

Mantra: The seed mantra (beej mantra) of Anahata Chakra is ‘Yam’.

Yoga poses to balance the Heart Chakra: Heart Chakra can be balanced by practicing poses like Half Bridge Pose (Ardha Setubandhasana), and Fish Pose (Matsyasana).

The symbol of the Throat Chakra consists of a 16-petalled lotus flower surrounding an inverted triangle which holds a circle within. This represents spiritual growth and the purification of the body, mind, and spirit.

Color: Blue

Element: Space 

Location: The Vishuddha Chakra is located at the base of the throat, coinciding with the thyroid gland. It is associated with inspiration, healthy expression, faith, and the ability to communicate well. 

Symptoms of a blocked/imbalanced Throat Chakra: A blockage in the throat chakra may be experienced as timidity, quietness, a feeling of weakness, or the inability to express our thoughts. 

Signs of a balanced Throat Chakra: When this chakra is balanced, it enables creativity, positive self-expression, constructive communication, and a sense of satisfaction. 

Mantra: The seed mantra (beej mantra) of Vishuddha Chakra is ‘Ham’.

Yoga poses for Throat Chakra balance: Throat Chakra is stimulated in poses like Shoulderstand (Sarvangasana) and Plough Pose (Halasana) 

We will be offering the following classes for those interested, after a consultation:

•  Kundalini Yoga (Challenging)
•  Restorative Yoga (Gentle)
•  Vini Yoga (Gentle)
• Chair Yoga (Gentle)
• Hatha Yoga (Gentle)