YOGA
with Zabeth Macfarlane
What is yoga?
Yoga is simultaneously: self-diagnosis, healing, prevention, and maintenance.
The majority of yoga classes in the west cover Hatha yoga. Hatha yoga sessions include: asanas (physical postures), breathing practices, concentration, balance and meditation.
Yoga originates from India and the asanas, the physical yoga postures, are ancient tried-and-tested exercises, developed in India over thousands of years. They help improve general well being, flexibility, balance, breathing, memory, co-ordination, concentration and self-awareness; they also help focus and quieten the mind.
The asanas have taken their present form over centuries of practice through trial and error to its present day fine tuning. They help to open, clear and alter the subtle energies of the body, encouraging the flow of energy, building general energy levels (prana/chi). The muscles are trained to stretch and lengthen out of their usual tense, shortened holding patterns, allowing weaker areas to strengthen and the whole body to align and balance out.
The asana yoga practice has the effect of a body massage, not just working on the muscles, but also on the deeper tissues and all the internal organs, improving the flow of blood, cerebrospinal fluid circulation and lymphatic drainage, helping digestion and elimination.
Yoga practice helps to harmonise mind, body and spirit, it becomes a state of being. Yoga teaches us concentration, to quieten the mind and observe 'being in the now'. It teaches us patience and humbleness as we overcome the challenges that learning and progressing in yoga offers us. It opens and expands our heart, giving us a sense of wholeness and peace.
Yoga classes:
- Hardington WI, Hardington Mandeville Village Hall, Tuesday evening, from 6pm - 7:30pm
- Yeovil, Friday evening, St Michael Church Hall, St Michael road, from 6pm - 7:30pm
The sessions are aimed at beginners and improvers and are paid by term which range between 10 to 12 weeks, taking breaks at half-term and during holiday times. If a session is missed for any reason, participants can catch it up in the other class anytime during that same term. If you would like to join a yoga class, please give Zabeth a ring and she will send you an enrolment form.
Zabeth also teach tai chi, chi-kung, healing and Reiki. If you would like to know more about yoga and the other subjects Zabeth covers, please check her website or give her a ring: 01935 891569.