What Is Yoga?

In a brief way...

Yoga is an old discipline from India, both mental and physical practice. Yoga uses breathing techniques, exercise and meditation to get through the breath and body into the mind. It is defined as ‘The cessation of the modification of the mind’.

A set of specific exercises called poses, combined with specific breathing techniques and meditation principles are the building blocks of a yoga class. If a pose causes pain or proves too difficult, some variations and modifications can be made to help students. Props like blocks, blankets and straps — even chairs — can be used to help you get the most benefit from the poses. Yoga is not one-size-fits-all: The best yoga workout for you will depend on your individual needs and goals.

The benefits of a regular yoga practice are wide-ranging like: can help keep your back and joints healthy, improve your overall posture, stretch and strengthen muscles and improve your balance. In addition, yoga’s focus on the breath can calm you and help you learn to be more mindful of your body, and that can help you to move with greater ease.

Mindfulness with Yoga

In a yoga class, as you learn to do yoga poses, you will be instructed to notice your breath and the way your body moves during the practice. The is the foundation of a mind-body connection.

A well-balanced series of yoga exercises allows you to scan your entire body, noting how you feel as you move through the poses. You may begin to realize, for example, that one side of your body feels different than the other during a stretch, or that it’s easier to balance on your right leg, or that certain poses help ease tension in your neck.

This is how yoga turns physical exercises into tools to help students become more mindful and even learn to meditate. Learning to be aware of your posture at your desk or when you walk, for example, can be the first step to making improvements that will make you move more easily and feel better all the time.