What is Yoga?
Mention the word Yoga and many will visibly recoil at the idea with visions of impossible contortions. The truth is that Yoga is so much more than unusual looking positions! The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit ‘yui’ (to bind) and is often interpreted as “union” and can be seen as the coming together of body and mind. Yoga brings about a sense of balance to your whole being. It just makes you feel good!
The Indian sage Patanjali is believed to have collated the practice of yoga into a book called Yoga Sutra an estimated 2,000 years ago. The Sutra is a collection of 195 statements that serves as a philosophical guidebook for most of the yoga that is practised today. It also outlines eight limbs of yoga, which include physical practice, breathing techniques, concentration and meditation amongst others.
Hatha Yoga refers to a set of physical exercises known as asanas (postures). Performing sequences of these asanas align muscles and bones and calm the mind. Hatha can also be translated as ha meaning “sun” and tha meaning “moon.” This refers to the balance of masculine aspects—active, hot, sun—and feminine aspects—receptive, cool, moon—within all of us. Hatha yoga is a path toward creating balance and uniting opposites leading to a balance of strength and flexibility in our physical bodies. We also learn to balance our effort and surrender in each pose exerting an equal amount of effort and ease at all times. Yoga is without the excessive strain that often is associated with exercise and therefore avoids injury.
What to expect in class?
I teach Hatha Yoga (as explained above) and classes that take the participant through flowing movements and classical postures which help to strengthen and re-align the body but also increase flexibility. Some will be standing postures, others will be carried out whilst seated on the mat. Props (blocks, bricks and straps) will be used if necessary to help the participant find comfort in each asana. Each session will also include some focus on breathing and relaxation techniques.
During the class, I can make physical adjustments should the student be comfortable with this. This often helps the individual to gain a sense of how the posture should ‘feel’ and is useful in re-training the body and mind so that new and correct alignment and movement patterns can be obtained. This helps the body move away from pain causing misalignments.
About Ellie
I first began a consistent Yoga practice in 1999 and started teaching three years after that. I have undergone various trainings including a two month Hatha Yoga course in Nepal and then two years at Synergy School in Sydney Australia (a fusion of Ashtanga and Hatha Yoga utilising principles of physiotherapy and Ayurveda). In 2006 I achieved a 2:1 BA Degree in Indian Medicine (Ayurvedic Studies), which included a six-month Internship in India healing hospital patients with Yoga Therapy. I first started in the world of health and well-being at the age of nineteen when I qualified as an Aerobic instructor. Since then I have also gained qualifications as an Aerial Yoga Instructor, Personal Trainer, Gym Instructor, Sports Massage Therapist, Rieki Therapist, Animal Flow Instructor, Insanity Instructor and Reflexologist.
In 2008 upon the birth of my child I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and have used Yoga therapy and Ayurvedic medicine to manage the condition. I have amazed doctors by remaining on a amount of medicine that is one third of the recommended dosage of Western medicine. This is the power of Yoga and Indian medicine.
I acknowledge that my life challenges have become manageable by the implementation of Yogic techniques. The experience of difficult lessons in life and finding Yoga as a tool to overcome these equips me well to empathise with others and offer workable solutions.
I truly love teaching Yoga as I can inspire others to new heights. There is a direct correlation between the development of Yogi’s/Yogini’s body and mind and soaring confidence. To guide students through this process is a blessing.
