Yoga
Hatha-Yoga
Yoga is a tried and tested practice system from India that is thousands of years old and includes several yoga paths. One of them is Hatha Yoga, which we want to practice. In addition to the Indian healing art Ayurveda and Chinese Taoism, yoga is one of the oldest sciences that deals with the human being in its entirety.
Ancient knowledge - timelessly valid!
The word 'yoga' comes from the ancient Indian language Sanskrit and can be translated as 'unity, connection and harmony'.
Even thousands of years ago, people longed to bring opposites together. Yoga is a practical philosophy of life that lets you live more consciously and healthily and that goes as deep as you want and allow it. Yoga speaks to us in our entirety.
In Hatha Yoga, the most famous part of yoga in the West, the body is viewed as the temple of the soul and it is accordingly important to treat the body well and to take good care of it. But that doesn't mean that it's about training muscles or the external appearance of the body, as it is in a gym, for example. The healthy and harmonious function of our glands, organs, the nervous system etc. and the mind - that is what the regular practice of Hatha Yoga gives us. If we engage with him and allow the exercises and mental alignment to take effect in us, then he can transform us. Incidentally, Ha = sun (male principle) and Tha = moon (female principle). As with Qi Gong (Yin & Yang), the seemingly opposing poles come together here and become one.
Hatha Yoga consists of postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), relaxation (savasana) & meditation. Healthy eating is also part of what we do not practice in the course.
Since yoga has existed, there have been a wide variety of methods and traditions in which yogis practice. Some are challenging, powerful and sweaty, while others are gentle and meditative. In addition, every yoga teacher has his own way of teaching.
With the help of regular hatha yoga we can influence the life energy (prana) and direct it back into 'the right path' (just like with Qi Gong). However, this requires regular practice. A little every day is better than now and then and then a lot. If you understand how to build yoga into your life, it can actually transform you.
My yoga style and the way I teach
I completed my yoga training in the Yoga Vidya style in the tradition of the Indian doctor and yoga master Swami Sivananda (1887-1963). This yoga style includes in its work yoga in its entire spectrum, both classical and modern developments. He is flexible and adaptable.
As a movement and relaxation trainer with over 30 years of experience, I also bring my own way of doing yoga. I'm on my way myself and I'm always learning new things. Since I'm not 20 myself and now more than ever know that constant excessive demands do not create harmony and joy in us, I practice GENTLE YOGA and only do what is good for my back.
Therefore, practice mindfulness & gentleness. With GENTLE YOGA you take the time again to perceive yourself and to feel what is good for you and also what is not good for you. And maybe you will get to know yourself again, get a new body awareness and can improve your quality of life decisively with the simple exercises and techniques and become more self-confident and responsible through the positive experiences.
Headstand and the like, which put too much strain on the cervical spine, do not exist in my lessons!
Tips for yoga practitioners
- It is good not to eat anything or anything heavy before the gentle yoga class (1-2 hours). Take good care of yourself while doing yoga! Do the exercise as best you can, but don't force anything! If an exercise is not doing you well, instead do an exercise that is good for you, or go into the relaxation position or the child's position. Each exercise can be modified and aids can be used. Of course, yoga exercises can also be exhausting, especially if you are not practiced. With a little practice, your muscles will strengthen, you will become more flexible and the exercises will become easier and easier for you. Be happy that you have set out to take time for yourself to do yourself good. Breathing in yoga is particularly important, so be careful (without putting yourself under pressure) to inhale and exhale deeply through your nose. But don't worry, it was really difficult for me at the beginning of my yoga practice and soon it came all by itself!
Breath is life - without breath there is no life!
The breath plays a crucial role in the overall human system. How we breathe not only has a physical impact, it also has a massive impact on our psyche. We take in oxygen through the breath, but also prana (= life energy) from a yogic point of view. We often unconsciously breathe too shallowly (due to stress, tension, habit, posture) and our system receives too little oxygen as a result. The consequences are then rapid fatigue and the associated exhaustion.
Prana means energy and Ayama means control. So we learn to consciously perceive the breath again, to take time for it and to control it consciously. Pranayama creates a regulation of the nervous system. There are relaxing breathing exercises (long exhalations) and stimulating breathing exercises.
There are wonderful, simple breathing exercises that are worth integrating into everyday life. I also want to keep it simple here on purpose. We start with conscious abdominal breathing, buzzing bees, alternating breathing and let's see what comes next. One thing is for sure, conscious breathing is part of yoga. In my opinion, yoga is not yoga if the conscious breath is not with it.
By the way, we always breathe in and out through our nose during physical exercises / asanas. This filters the air and prevents the mouth from drying out. Nasal breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, the part that is responsible for relaxation and regeneration and the 'old' masters say that Prana can only be absorbed through the nose and by exhaling through the nose the energy stays in balance. This can take some getting used to at the beginning - but it is worthwhile to stay tuned. Without pressure and without tension!
Those who know me know how often I point out the conscious breath. Not to annoy you guys, but because I know how good it was for me to reprogram myself here.
Meditation
In meditation we sit upright - also on a chair. This ensures that you do not fall asleep and remain fully awake and present. The energy / prana can flow freely.
Just as the waves on the surface of the lake stir it up and cloud it, so thought waves make our mind restless. If, on the other hand, the surface of the lake is calm, we can look into the depths and recognize the real treasure there.
In meditation we let the mind become calm. With the help of concentration exercises (e.g. breathing) we collect ourselves, perceive the thoughts and let them move on. They are allowed to be, but they do not affect us. One of the best-known definitions of yoga is probably that of the wise yogi Patanjali, who wrote in his Yoga Sutras: YOGA CHITTA VRITTI NIRODHAH "YOGA IS BRINGING THOUGHTS TO CALM IN THE SPIRIT"
