WHY and WHAT?
ABOUT YOGA
The word yoga comes from a Sanskrit word which means “union”. Yoga is a practice to move into stillness. Yoga has been around for thousands of years. Yoga blends the body movement, breath and mental focus to create an inner peace. Yoga meets the individual as he is and where he is working with that individual’s unique needs. Our world is more fast-paced, stress-filled more than ever these days. Yoga gives you an escape from your hectic life to focus on yourself; mind, body, breath. By focusing on the “here and now” in your practice you build an awareness and mindfulness to appreciate your present moments. After all that is ultimately all we really have; present moment after present moment. There are a vast number of asanas (postures) which help to unblock stuck energies in the nadis (energy paths) in the body. We can get stuck by sitting too much (desk job), thinking too much (anxiety/depression) and various bad habits. Yoga is for everybody and anybody. You start where you are and move forward as you practice. You don’t need to be flexible or strong to start yoga—it will help you build strength, balance, flexibility, self-love, self-trust, confidence, stamina, inner peace to grow into a better you. Yoga is energizing and relaxing. With regular practice yoga can help you feel better and see the world through enthusiastic eyes filled with hope and optimism. Yoga has been proven to help with many health issues; anxiety, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, insomnia, menopausal symptoms, obesity, PMS, back disorders, to name a few. Get your doctor’s approval to start any new program. Yoga can make you feel clean and new inside like brushing makes your teeth feel clean and new!
about qigong
The word Qi means life force energy. Qigong can be described as an internal energy practice which is over 5000 years old. Through the forms and flows Qigong activates the body’s self-healing abilities by working with and building the energy you already have within you. Your body runs on bio-electricity which creates that energy. There is no pushing or straining in Qigong practice. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that the body has energy pathways which vital energy or Qi flows through. We have habits that create tension and blockages whether physical or mental and Qigong can help remove those blockages and stagnant energy to help create healthier habits, happier mind and a comfortable strong body. Once I experienced Qigong it felt like Yoga amplified!