"Yoga aims to remove the root cause of all diseases, not to treat its symptoms as medical science generally attempts to do. "
- Swami Vishnu-devananda
Since Keith and I decided to stay here in Hong Kong during our 2 week Easter holiday break, I have been taking advantage of the time by getting ahead with my yoga practice. I have been taking 2 classes each day at the Anahata Yoga studio and have now completed 19 of the 30 free classes that I have in my training course.
One surprising thing is how sore, strong and toned I feel from taking all these classes. I also have a lot of energy and realize I am eating lighter meals because of all of my practice. I realize that taking classes with master instructors is very different than practicing alone at home. At home, yes, I go at my own pace but I don't have someone correcting my form and pushing me with trying more challenging poses. I also was shocked at how much I sweat from the classes!
I have now tried countless classes with various teachers, who all have their own style of teaching. Here are some of the classes I've taken: power yoga, hatha flow, hatha vinyasa, pranayama and meditation, yin yoga, destress yoga, yoga therapy, back care yoga, core yoga, detox yoga, ashtanga vinyasa, patanjali yoga, slimming yoga, restorative yoga and even prenatal yoga!
In addition to feeling the physical and mental benefits, I'm intrigued with the yoga therapy benefits, understanding how stretching and balancing your body can help cure any disease or sickness! It's very interesting to read about. I just bought the books, Thirumoolar's Ashtanga Yoga: A Therapeutic Approach to Good Health by Dr. Asana Andiappan and Sundara Yogic Therapy by Yogacharya Sundaram. I also bought blocks and a belt for my home practice. I'm so excited about this journey that I'm seriously considering getting my 300 hrs. advanced yoga teacher training course after completing my current 200 hrs. beginner course. We will see!
Here are some of the main reasons why you should try yoga:
The benefits of Practicing Yoga
1. Increases your life span
2. Improves memory power
3. Helps the mind work well
4. Increases virility
5. Shows the path to a disease-free life
6. Makes the body beautiful
7. Cures all diseases
8. Drives out tiredness and laziness
9. Gives peace of mind
10. Makes life eternally young
11. Makes body parts strong
12. Controls obesity
13. Strengthens heart and lungs
14. Strengthens the body
15. Makes the brain strong and the face attractive
16. Regulates blood flow
17. Makes us forever active
18. Stills an angry mind
19. Eliminates pain and helps forget it
20. Increases our knowledge and helps us succeed
21. It inspires us to read and think more
22. Gives us energy to work without being tired
23. Increases the immunity of the body
24. Makes body nerves strong
May help the following conditions:
“Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.”
“Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured and endure what cannot be cured.” ~ B.K.S. Iyengar
“The most important pieces of equipment you need for doing yoga are your body and your mind.” ~ Rodney Yee
“For me, yoga is not just a workout – it’s about working on yourself.” ~ Mary Glover
“Submit to a daily practice. Your loyalty to that is a ring at the door. Keep knocking, and eventually the joy inside will look out to see who is there.”