The word yoga means to yoke or join, union. Yoga is a technology or tool for bringing your physical body through asana (postures) and pranayama (breath) and your manas (mind) together in balance . It is seen as a philosophy on how to live. We are encouraged to take care of our physical bodies, our spirit and our energy.
A sage named Patanjali created a philosophical guidebook called the Sutras. In it he describes an 8 fold or limbed path to living using the yamas (restraints) niyamas (observances), asana (postures),pranayama (breathing), pratyhara (withdrawal of senses), dharana (concentration), dhyani meditation , and samadhi (absorption). As we explore these eight limbs, we begin by refining our behaviour in the outer world, and then we focus inwardly until we reach samadhi (liberation, enlightenment).
When we think of yoga these days, we often only think about the physical practice.
The beautiful result of practicing is a strong and flexible, balanced body. A sense of calm and stress relief. And a deeper connection and understanding of yourself.
It promotes good posture and balance. Yoga can increase concentration and focus. It can help to ease pain and help you sleep better. Yoga can help you build resilience and mental wellness
The practice of yoga is more than just about touching your toes. It’s about what you learn on the way down as the saying goes. Flexibility is a nice bonus of having a yoga practice. Your body will feel better and you will be able to move with more ease. But the benefits of yoga are many and go beyond the physical People of all levels are part of the Connected Living community.
There are many ways to practice yoga that don’t involve getting down on the floor. At Connected Living, there are dedicated classes where the class is done in a chair. And many of these classes use props like blocks and chairs to support you and your body.
No. Yoga is for EVERY body. This is a practice that is respectful of individual needs.
No. You only need your body, your mind and sense of curiosity. You can practice in clothes that feel comfortable for you. Leggings or shorts and a tshirt can make it easier to move. No special shoes as we practice in bare feet. Depending on the style of your practice you may want a mat and a towel.
There is no such thing as getting it “wrong”. And there is no such thing as getting “right” either for that matter. Yoga is not about seeing someone doing a pose and you trying to mimic it. Yoga is profoundly personal. Your practice is about discovering how it feels for you, how you get there and what your experience is along the way. Connected Living is a judgment free zone where you are encouraged and supported on your journey and destination.
Yes. There are many different styles of yoga. You might want to use props such as blocks or cushions during your practice to support and cushion your knees. You may want to try chair yoga where you wouldn’t go down onto the mat on your knees. Many people find that the strengthening and stretching aspects of yoga make their knees feel better. The same is true for many injuries or tender spots. Many physiotherapists, chiropractors and doctors recommend yoga for issues like back pain, knee and hip pain as well as shoulder and neck pain.
Talk to a yoga teacher to find a practice that suits you.
Yoga is practiced in so many different ways.Many of us struggle with chronic pain, disability, injury, or limitation The Connected Living community is full of diverse people of all ages, sizes and abilities.
Yoga is a profoundly personal practice. There are many different styles of yoga and different class types. You might want to try a few different classes to find one that feels good for you. At Connected Living we create a safe space to practice the way you need to practice and find the class that fits you.
Yoga’s benefits can be experienced even if you only practice for an hour a week. If you can do more than that, you will certainly experience more benefits. If you can only do 20 minutes per session, that’s fine too. Don’t let time constraints or unrealistic goals be an obstacle—do what you can and don’t worry about it. You will likely find that after a while your desire to practice expands naturally and you will find yourself doing more and more.
No. Being a vegetarian is completely a personal decision. It should be based on your own health and activity needs. For some this is a philosophical decision as well.
The first principle of yoga philosophy is ahimsa which means non-harming to self and others. Some people interpret this to include not eating animal products. Being a vegetarian should not be something that you impose on others—that kind of aggressive action in itself is not an expression of ahimsa.
I get it! As a solo business owner, I have a full plate. I have put my to -do- list ahead of self care many times. But I always regret it. My body hurts. My head feels spinny and my anxiety gets carried away.
Paying attention to ourselves is difficult, and lots of us have gotten the message at some point in our lives that self-care is selfish. If you have ever been on a flight, you will have experienced the safety demo at the beginning. The one that tells you to put on your own oxygen mask first so you can be helpful to someone else. You deserve to have this care for yourself. Your very survival depends on it “Rest and self-care are so important. When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.” -Eleanor Brown
