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February 2023

vinyasa yoga

What is vinyasa?

By Food for thought

Vinyasa-style yoga necessitates breathing in time with movement. It is commonly referred to as a flowing or dance-like form of yoga because of the fluid transitions between poses. The vinyasa method is widely used to boost body heat and energy due to the constant flow of movement. The poses and sequences used in vinyasa sessions can be altered to meet practitioners with a variety of abilities and levels of expertise. In addition to enhancing the body’s strength, flexibility, and awareness, vinyasa yoga frequently emphasizes on the breath and the connection between the breath and movement.

These are the top five benefits of vinyasa yoga for the body and the mind:

  1. It works out the entire body. In vinyasa lessons, the constant flow of movement helps to boost cardiovascular endurance while also strengthening and enhancing muscle flexibility. Vinyasa sessions feature a variety of poses and movements that can enhance balance and coordination.
  2. It can aid in stress relief and mental clarity. In vinyasa classes, the emphasis on the breath and the present moment can assist to calm the mind and lower stress, and the practice’s physical challenges can also aid to ease tension and encourage relaxation.
  3. It can make breathing easier. Vinyasa sessions stress deep breathing and movement together, which can assist to improve lung capacity and respiratory health.
  4. It can be changed to accommodate various skill levels. Even though vinyasa sessions can be physically challenging, they can be altered to accommodate practitioners with varying levels of skill and experience. Due of this, it is available to individuals of different fitness levels and backgrounds.
  5. It may be a pleasurable and entertaining kind of exercise. It is a joyful and satisfying kind of exercise because of the fluid, dance-like motions, which may be enjoyable and rewarding.

Overall, vinyasa yoga is a fantastic form of exercise that has many positive effects on both the body and the mind. It is accessible to people of all fitness levels and abilities and has the potential to be an efficient approach to increase strength, improve flexibility, and reduce stress.

Person Holding Sound Bowls - Why do we "om"

Why do we “om”

By Food for thought

Om is a sacred sound and a symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It is also transcribed as “Aum.” It is thought to be the primordial sound that created the universe and is regarded as the sound of the cosmos. Om is frequently recited in power yoga at the start and end of a practice as a way to connect with the divine and to foster calmness and clarity in the mind.

However, why is Om said throughout yoga? Here are some of the causes:

  1. Om stands for the supreme reality and the supreme truth. It is regarded as the greatest and most sacred syllable in Hinduism since it is thought to be the sound of the divine. By repeating Om, we are uniting with the highest reality and truth and attempting to make contact with the divine.
  2. Om promotes mental calmness as well as clarity and focus. We use the sound of Om to turn inward and concentrate on the here and now when we chant it. This can bring tranquility and clarity and assist to stop the mind’s incessant chatter.
  3. Om facilitates our connection to collective awareness. Om is chanted to unite oneself with the awareness of the universe, which is thought to resonate at the same frequency as the sound. This may contribute to a feeling of cohesion and kinship with something bigger than ourselves.
  4. The mantra Om stimulates and harmonizes the chakras. We might feel more rooted, centred, and at peace when the chakras—energy centres in the body—are in harmony. A sense of total well-being and equilibrium in the body can be attained by chanting Om, which can help to energize and balance the chakras.
  5. Om encourages the development of dedication and submission. We are giving ourselves over to the holy and developing a sense of devotion as we chant Om. As a result, we may be able to let go of any ego-driven aspirations and experience a greater sense of serenity and acceptance in our life.

We recite Om in yoga for a variety of reasons, as you can see. It stands for the highest reality and truth and promotes mental calmness, clarity, and connection to the universal consciousness. It also energizes and balances the chakras and fosters a sense of dedication and submission. A potent tool for fostering a sense of serenity and connectedness in our lives is the Om mantra.