Yoga, Movement & Breath
An Introduction to Yoga
Yoga is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India and aim to control and still the mind, recognising a detached witness-consciousness untouched by the mind and mundane suffering.
Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, famously said: “If you can breathe, you can do yoga!"
Simply put, it will enable you to learn how to still the mind allowing flexibility into the physical and mental body. A fantastic form of stress relief and rejuvenation.
There are many forms of Yoga available, it’s not a one size fits all but a case of trying different forms and seeing which fits you best. In this section, I will begin by sharing 3 different forms. My wonderful teachers have provided videos especially for you so that you can try them in the comfort of your own home. They can be used alongside your 21 Day Reset programmes too. Just 20 minutes to start your day can help bring balance and strength to your body and mind.
Vinyasa- One of the figures of modern yoga, If you’re looking to move and build strength and stability in your body and mind, then Vinyasa yoga is a great place to start. This is a form of yoga that is always moving, and the sequence of poses is called a ‘flow’ linking poses together in movements set to the pace of your breath.
Kundalini yoga- This physically and mentally challenging practice looks very different from your typical yoga class. You’ll perform kriyas — repetitive physical exercises coupled with intense breath work — while also chanting, singing and meditating. The goal? To break through your internal barriers, releasing the untapped energy residing within you and bringing you a higher level of self-awareness.
Yoga Nidra- literally means yogic sleep. From the comfortable position of savasana with the eyes closed, the instructor will guide you through a relaxation script All you have to do is focus on the instructions and allow them to be your guide, you will learn to relax the body and still the mind, Inducing a state of consciousness between waking and sleeping.
The benefits of Yoga
Learning to move with your breath can help us on so many different levels:
Increases mobility - breathing and moving ensures that blood is circulating around the body so that we can move better and with ease.
Builds strength - Vinyasa yoga can move at a fast pace, and when we breathe in rhythm with our movements, it helps build our endurance and strength in physical challenges.
Improves balance - getting used to breathing and balancing in yoga poses helps to improve your balance off the mat, reducing the risk of falls and increasing stability.
Creates body awareness - breathing consciously and with control means we’re bringing attention to what’s happening inside. So that we can listen to our bodies and notice where we need to back off, or where we can push further.
Calms the mind - when you breathe deeply, it sends a message to your brain to calm down and relax. Practising Yoga and breath work activates our parasympathetic nervous system and helps to reduce stress and anxiety. It’s really good to try meditating straight after a class when these effects are at their height.
Increases focus - having the breath to focus on helps us to override the ‘mind-chatter’. When our emotions are soothed, we’re less distracted. When we match our breath with movements, we can create a feeling of moving meditation.
Releases traumas - we often hold trauma in our bodies. The poses help to move stuck energy or emotional blockages to release what we no longer need.