What is yoga?

In the past, the more specialized disciplines would be available only at private gyms but of late, they have been introduced into our mainstream health clubs.  This makes it then more accessible to clients that might not have had the opportunity to attempt them.

I often get asked what exactly happens in a Yoga class and what the benefits are and find it so difficult to put it into a few sentences.Let's first look at the different types of Yoga.  Again there are too many to mention in one article but there are a few that are more often presented in our larger health facilities;

• Hatha – is a foundation of yoga incorporating postures, breathing, and meditation and are probably the most available style of yoga in our gyms
• Ashtanga – classes are more athletic and demanding
• Kundalini – should be 90 minutes long and might include singing and chanting along with postures, meditation and breathing techniques
• Vinyasa – again, a more physically challenging class and normally run for 90 minutes
• Bikram – these classes are taught in a heated room and consist of 45-minute standing work and 45 minutes on the mat/ floor

In our very busy lives, most people only have an hour, perhaps, to spend at a gym and therefore want to choose the best form of exercise for them. They will then ask why Yoga instead of perhaps 55 minutes of weight training or cardio vascular work.

As mentioned, the benefits of Yoga are many, amongst these are;

• Increased flexibility
• Increased muscle strength and tone
• Balanced metabolism
• Improved circulation
• Posture correction
• Lymph drainage
• Increased concentration ability
• Improved balance
• Core strength
• Improved breathing techniques

Making Yoga one of the most well rounded form of exercise and definitely an hour well spent