Yoga is an ancient discipline which promotes mental and physical health and well being. You will learn movements to discover strength, suppleness and poise and to become at ease with your body and yourself. No special abilities are needed to start; many minor tensions, aches and pains will disappear.

The practice of Yoga has been around for about 6,000 years in India. The word ‘Yoga’ means union. It has the same root as the English word, yoke. The union referred to is the union of one’s true self with the universal - in modern language - "to be at one with the world".


ASHTANGA YOGA (The Eight Limbs of Yoga)
Yoga practice includes physical, mental, and ethical disciplines. In about 3rd Century BC, the sage Patanjali defined eight aspects of yoga.

These are:
1. Yama - morals
2. Niyama - personal conduct
3. Asana - posture
4. Pranayama - breathing
5. Pratyahara - sense withdrawal
6. Dharana - concentration
7. Dhyana - meditation
8. Samadhi - bliss

In some schools of yoga these aspects are taught seperately, but in IYENGAR YOGA, all aspects are incorporated into the way postures are performed, so that the student comes to his or her practice from a life of treating themselves and others well; in the correct alignment of each pose the natural breathing is enhanced and the student can become absorbed in the action so that a quiet, meditative state of mind is achieved.

® Used with permission of BKS IYENGAR. Trade Mark Owner