YOGA
The word Yoga as translated from the Sanskrit language means"union", but also "discipline". First and foremost, Yoga is the discipline of conscious living. It is also a means of self discovery, due largely to the focus on breath and posture. This joining of the body, mind and personality is the key to a successful Yoga experience.
Prana refers to vital air energy, and yama is the control and direction of that energy. Pranayama therefore, is the control and direction of vital energy via steady breathing. Steady breathing increases the prana in the body. In this way, Yoga with it's focus on specific postures (asanas) and the use of breath (pranyama) as a tool for release and union, is able to accomplish much in the way of relaxation enhanced well being.
The practice of Yoga provides a way to temporarily withdraw from the chaos of the world, to find a quiet space within. The asanas provide opportunities to build physical strength, flexibility, and poise, but additionally, when performed with a recognition of the present moment, these gently, but powerful movements help to break the self perpetuating stress cycle.
The orgins of Yoga are shrouded in the mists of time. The oldest archaeological evidence of it's existence is provided by a number of stone seals showing figures in yogic postures excavated from the Indus valley, and thought to from around 3000 B.C. Yoga came to the United States when it was presented at the World Fair in Chicago by Swami Vivekananda in 1893. In today's age of mass communication, the teachings of yoga are openly presented in books, tapes, on the internet, and in classes taught in studios, schools, recreation programs, and health spas. Yoga, it seems, has come of age for those of us living in the brink of the twenty-first century.
Prana refers to vital air energy, and yama is the control and direction of that energy. Pranayama therefore, is the control and direction of vital energy via steady breathing. Steady breathing increases the prana in the body. In this way, Yoga with it's focus on specific postures (asanas) and the use of breath (pranyama) as a tool for release and union, is able to accomplish much in the way of relaxation enhanced well being.
The practice of Yoga provides a way to temporarily withdraw from the chaos of the world, to find a quiet space within. The asanas provide opportunities to build physical strength, flexibility, and poise, but additionally, when performed with a recognition of the present moment, these gently, but powerful movements help to break the self perpetuating stress cycle.
The orgins of Yoga are shrouded in the mists of time. The oldest archaeological evidence of it's existence is provided by a number of stone seals showing figures in yogic postures excavated from the Indus valley, and thought to from around 3000 B.C. Yoga came to the United States when it was presented at the World Fair in Chicago by Swami Vivekananda in 1893. In today's age of mass communication, the teachings of yoga are openly presented in books, tapes, on the internet, and in classes taught in studios, schools, recreation programs, and health spas. Yoga, it seems, has come of age for those of us living in the brink of the twenty-first century.
Joseph was born in Dusseldorf, Germany in 1880. He was a sickly child, born with asthma, rickets and rheumatic fever, and wanted to overcome his frailty. Joseph's forceful personalty was beginning to emerge; he refused to let his physical health stop him. He decided to become as strong as physically possible, and became multi-skilled as a boxer, gymnast, diver and martial artist. When he was fourteen years of age, he was so fit that he modeled for anatomical charts!
Joseph moved to England in 1912 where he became boxer, circus performer and self-defense teacher of English detectives. Later, in WWI Joseph become a nurse in Lancaster. He trained the other interns and worked with injured men in the hospital. He improvised the rehabilitation equipment by using bedsprings attached to walls, so patients could exercise while laying in bed. His rehabilitation was 80% more effective than techniques used by other nurses. His rehabilitation work is the basis for Pilates exercises.
In 1926, Joseph migrated to the U.S. On the ship back to New York he met Clara, a nurse, who became his wife. He set up a studio in New York and began teaching his exercises and philosophy-primarily to ballet clientele. Joe was one of the first holistic teachers. He said "Not too little, not too much." He blamed the fast pace of life of many mental and bodily challenges. "This too fast pace is plainly reflected in our manner of standing, walking, sitting, eating and even talking, and results in our nerves being on edge from morning to night." This applies more then ever to life in America today.
Joseph moved to England in 1912 where he became boxer, circus performer and self-defense teacher of English detectives. Later, in WWI Joseph become a nurse in Lancaster. He trained the other interns and worked with injured men in the hospital. He improvised the rehabilitation equipment by using bedsprings attached to walls, so patients could exercise while laying in bed. His rehabilitation was 80% more effective than techniques used by other nurses. His rehabilitation work is the basis for Pilates exercises.
In 1926, Joseph migrated to the U.S. On the ship back to New York he met Clara, a nurse, who became his wife. He set up a studio in New York and began teaching his exercises and philosophy-primarily to ballet clientele. Joe was one of the first holistic teachers. He said "Not too little, not too much." He blamed the fast pace of life of many mental and bodily challenges. "This too fast pace is plainly reflected in our manner of standing, walking, sitting, eating and even talking, and results in our nerves being on edge from morning to night." This applies more then ever to life in America today.
Purpose and Benefits of Yoga and Pilates:
Purpose:
*Fluidity and awareness of movement
*Mental focus and control over movement
*Posture- a body that thinks for itself (posture becomes 2nd nature)
*Ease in performing daily tasks
*A uniformly developed body
*Fluidity and awareness of movement
*Mental focus and control over movement
*Posture- a body that thinks for itself (posture becomes 2nd nature)
*Ease in performing daily tasks
*A uniformly developed body
Benefits:
*Reduces stress
*Alleviates Chronic Pain
*Improves quality of sleep
*Balances body to your healthy weight
*Postural improvement
*Longer, leaner muscles
*Improves flexibility physically & mentally
*Improves range of motion (ROM) while conditioning the overall body
*Increases productivity at work & home
*Works on balance & coordination on & off the mat
*Enchances all athletic activity
Go to class schedule/fees for days & times when Teresa teaches & info on private & group sessions
*Reduces stress
*Alleviates Chronic Pain
*Improves quality of sleep
*Balances body to your healthy weight
*Postural improvement
*Longer, leaner muscles
*Improves flexibility physically & mentally
*Improves range of motion (ROM) while conditioning the overall body
*Increases productivity at work & home
*Works on balance & coordination on & off the mat
*Enchances all athletic activity
Go to class schedule/fees for days & times when Teresa teaches & info on private & group sessions
Pilates
