Wellness Programs

What is Yoga?

Yoga contains the ancient holistic wisdom of India. It is a practical, methodical and systematic discipline for unfolding the unlimited potentialities of humankind, handed down to us in the form of Living Tradition and systematized around 200 BC by the Sage Patanjali in the form of Yoga Sutras commonly known as ASHTANGA YOGA. The term YOGA is derived from the Sanskrit root “YUJ '' which means to unite, integrate, and restrain. There are many definitions of Yoga including:

  • Caraka: To create balance in mind, body and senses. 

  • Patanjali Yoga Sutra: Cessation of all mental modifications

  • Gita: Perfection in action

The Ashtanga Yoga practice of Patanjali encompasses almost all the procedures available in different Yoga forms and can be practiced by a person of any faith, and is relevant for us even in modern society.


Why Yoga?

Yoga is a 5000-year-old ancient practice that originated in India. Backed by clinical research, yoga benefits and balances physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual aspects of our lives. It helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as improve heart health by decreasing BP, HR and lowering cholesterol. Yoga also helps to increase strength, flexibility and balance, decrease chronic pain, and reduce inflammation. By engaging in yoga practice, we are able to promote healthy eating, increase the quality of sleep and improve breathing thereby benefiting overall quality of life.


Yogic Practices Taught in our Classes

Our classes are 100% free, and happen over Zoom on several days in the week.

  • Asana, Sanskrit verbal root “Aas” means “to sit” ‘state of existence’ or “Asi” means “To be”. Asanas are certain special patterns of postures that stabilize the body and mind. They aim at establishing a proper rhythm in the neuromuscular tonic impulses and improving the general muscle tone. Asanas help in the healthy functioning of the body and also leads to suppleness and ease of movement. Asana benefits the physical body and brings in emotional stability. They teach poise, balance, strength and calms down the mind in preparation for meditation.

  • ‘Prana’ -- vital energy or life force or Qi and ‘Ayama’ -- extension or expansion. (i.e. dimension of Prana). Pranayama are practices that are designed to bring about voluntary control over respiration. The main purpose of Pranayama is to gain control over the autonomous nervous system through breath control and by its influence on the mental function. It is useful in higher Yogic practices like Meditation. Pranayama brings you into harmony with your own energy. Working on your energetic body is the logical outgrowth of working on your physical body.

  • Dhyana -- dhi and yana, Dhi means to perceive, think, reflect, wish, or desire. Yana means path, course, or a journey. Dhyana would mean a process, path, or vehicle to properly think or reflect.

Yoga and Fitness Styles