There are different styles and approaches to yoga these days, some focus on physical alignment, some push students to the edge of physical capacity, some involve resting in simple poses, others offer a heart-centered approach.
All these approaches share a quality that inspires people to practice them: they all work.
You may have asked yourself why you feel better when you walk out of class than when you walked in. One reason is the asana (posture) practice that leaves you feeling good and that activates your parasympathetic nervous system. It is the part of the nervous system that slows you down, tells muscles to relax, boosts immunity, helps you sleep better, improves digestion and assimilation, and lowers heart rate and normalizes blood pressure.
After the practice of yoga postures and breathing exercises, relaxation follows. Most people think of this pose as nap-time, but it is more than that. "Shavasana" or "Corpse pose" is simple but important. It benefits you physiologically and physically: creates greater awareness, energy, memory and focus, helps in the repair of tissues and cells, and in releasing stress.
In this pose, you are encouraged to find a comfortable position, adjust your clothing, and remain awake while the body releases tension and the mind relaxes while receiving the benefits of the yoga practice.
After the practice of postures and relaxation, you are prepared to sit for meditation, drawing your attention to the present moment, your breathing and your body.
Gena
PS- Join me on Mondays at 5:30-6:45pm for Gentle Yoga class.
