Why has yoga become so popular in recent years, why do we practice? 

The most simple answer is because yoga makes us FEEL GOOD and heals and balances body, mind and soul. 

Yoga is a system of self-care, self enquiry and physical, mental and spiritual development. It increases strength, flexibility, balance and immunity. It reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, helps with sleep disturbances and insomnia, strengthens the bones, improves heart function and co-ordination, helps people lose weight, balances hormonal health, promotes a positive outlook and a healthy sex life and creates a general sense of well-being and equanimity. 

So what reason is there not to practice yoga? 

It does all of the above and so much more! We can often feel disconnected or ‘cut off’ in life. Yoga, meaning ‘Union’, literally reconnects us with the source of health and vitality, nature, our own essence and ‘source energy’. We can enter into a state of joy and belonging and find once again who we really are, our true authentic selves, empowered and enLIGHTened, to do what we LOVE and follow our life purpose or Dharma. 

The science of Yoga originated many thousands of years ago in India and is a complete healing system combining physical postures (asanas) and breathing exercises (pranayama) in a mindful practice to enhance, energise and nourish the functions of the body and mind.
Our physical posture affects our health, vitality and awareness. The mind-body complex consists of various interrelated channels- from those which carry food to those which carry thoughts. The channels are held together on a physical level by the musculo-skeletal system, the shape of which is determined by our posture. Wrong posture and poor breathing creates various stresses, causing contractions that impair or block the proper flow through the channels. It inhibits the circulation of energy and nutrients while allowing toxins and waste materials to accumulate. Such blockages cause discomfort and reduce functioning, resulting in pain and disease. As mind and body are interconnected, physical blockages intertwine with mental and emotional blockages and hold various addictions, compulsions and attachments.

Benefits of Yoga

• develops muscular and skeletal strength
• helps with weightloss 
• Slows down the aging process
• helps tremendously relieving  the symptoms of menopause (before, during, after) 
• reduces stress, tension, anxiety and depression
• focuses the mind and improves concentration
• creates core strength and stability for a heathy back
• improves flexibility and mobility of the spine and keeps joints healthy
• enhances nervous, endocrine and digestive functions
• can help with medical conditions such as high blood pressure
• provides deep rest and relaxation and helps disturbed sleeping patterns and insomnia 
• encourages positive feelings of peace, stillness, calm
• Acceptance and forgiveness 

Mahatma Gandhi