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Starting with the physical body through the practice of asanas you learn about your strengths and weaknesses, thoughts and habitual patterns. It is whatever you want it to be really. You just need to ask yourself what it is you want to gain from a yoga practice. It might be greater flexibility, greater strength, alleviation of chronic pain, clarity of mind, relaxation. You do not need a reason to practice the reason lies at your core and will reveal itself in time. Regular practice of Hatha Yoga culminates in a form of connectedness. Feeling disconnected causes stress. When we feel good about ourselves our inspiration and creativity flows in all aspects of our lives. On the physiological level yoga increases flexibility; strengthens bones; (good for osteoporosis) and lubricates our joints; (good for arthritis). Balancing poses instil concentration– bringing clarity of mind; twisting poses nourish the discs of the spine; backbends increase our spinal mobility and eliminate the chances of stiff and fused spinal segments, kyphosis, and rounded shoulders. Overall posture is improved. Heres why……..... The pelvis is the foundation of the spine. When muscles are tight they are shortened and as a consequence will pull on the pelvis altering the natural curves of the spine. For eg, tight hamstrings cause a posterior pelvic tilt, ie they pull the top of the pelvis back and downward causing a rounded back (kyphosis). Conversely the iliopsoas (hip flexors) if tight cause an anterior pelvic tilt where the top of the pelvis tilts forward altering the spine in an exaggerated lumbar curve (lordosis). Misalignment of the spine can irritate spinal nerves as they emerge from the spinal column and impinge the flow of nerve impulses. Hatha Yoga and chiropractors work towards preventing this by straightening the spinal column. However the muscular system overrides the skeletal system and if the muscles are not stretched the spine can easily and quickly misalign again. This is usually why frequent visits to the Chiropractor are required. Physiotherapists and Yoga work more on the muscular system with long term benefits. Breath and alignment signify the basic fundamentals of a hatha yoga practice. If you can remain present in unison with mind and body you will gain a greater understanding of yourself. This leads to consciousness, consciousness leads to truth. It is a fact the practice of yoga asanas build a strong, agile body and a concentrated and clear mind – a resource available to everybody. |
