Change how you feel with Yoga
If you want to change how you feel? Do Yoga! I love how Yoga makes me feel! As a seasoned exerciser, I have experienced the many beneficial effects of regular exercise. My main driver to exercise is, and always has been, the feel-good factor I experience mainly post-exercise. A boost in the mood, lifting the spirits that help me manage my ‘Eeyore’ state of mind.
However, my experience of yoga is that I can achieve much more variety and subtlety of feeling. Yoga can help me to relax me when I am overstimulated, invigorate me when I am fatigued, and lift my spirits almost to the point of euphoria. I can influence my digestive processes, support my hormonal health, manage stress and feel powerful in body and mind,
If at first, you don’t succeed
I first tried Yoga in my 30s but I felt like it wasn’t vigorous enough. How wrong I was! Fast forward to my late 40s and Peri-menopause was playing me like a fiddle. My nemesis at the time was interrupted sleep, exhaustion (makes sense) and mood disturbance. A good friend was starting to teach Yoga and she persuaded me to give it another try.
Learn more about Yoga for Menopause
Yoga is for flexible people
This is a common misconception. Yoga appeals to flexible people because they can achieve the Yoga postures with ease and very quickly feel that they are succeeding. But my advice is if you are feeling stiff do Yoga.
It turns out that I am at the supple end of the flexibility spectrum which is why working on core stability helped my back so much and why I have to take care with yoga not to overstretch. But by incorporating the Pilates Principles of Core engagement I found that I could perform the Yoga postures without aggravating my back.
Yoga for Mind and Body
I discovered a whole new world of breathwork and meditation which sets Yoga apart from other movement approaches. After a few months of practice, I noticed that the Yoga class had made a significant difference to my sleep, stress and quality of life overall. This was the beginning of my Yoga Journey and I have since undertaken a 200-hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training and Meditation Teacher Training. I now teach private clients and a regular Online Class and I make sure to incorporate a Yoga Practice into my schedule every week.
What is Yoga?
Yoga is an ancient practice originating in India. It involves physical poses, deep concentration and breathing exercises. The word “Yoga” itself, derived from the Sanskrit word “Yuj,” means to yoke or unite. Practising Yoga can promote physical endurance, muscular strength, tranquillity, flexibility, and well-being. Yoga is a popular form of exercise but it is much more than just a physical practice.
At its core, yoga is an ancient practice that unites the body, mind, and spirit, fostering a deep connection that can transcend the physical realm. To truly understand what yoga is, we need to explore not just the movements and postures, but the philosophy and evolution of the self that this practice nurtures.
What is Hatha Yoga?
Hatha Yoga is often thought of more as the physical aspect of yoga. It involves adopting various postures, or asanas, that require both strength and flexibility. But Hatha Yoga is more than just movement; it integrates breath control and mental focus, creating a harmonious flow between body and mind.
Through Hatha Yoga, we are asked not only to perform poses but to engage in a dialogue with ourselves. Yoga poses the questions, but the answers lie within us, evolving as we deepen our practice and continue through the stages of life. As someone who has had the privilege of guiding others on their first steps into yoga, I can attest to the profound transformations that this journey can inspire.
The Philosophy Behind Yoga
To truly grasp the essence of yoga, we must delve into its philosophical roots. The Samkhya philosophy, a theory of creation acknowledged by both Yoga and Ayurveda, offers a fascinating perspective. According to this tradition, the universe is composed of two primary elements: Purusha and Prakriti.
Purusha is the soul, the eternal witness within us that remains unchanged. It is our true identity, the aspect of ourselves that is always observing but not engaging. For most of us, Purusha remains dormant, overshadowed by the constant flux of life. However, through dedicated yoga practice, we can awaken Purusha, allowing us to reconnect with our true essence.
Prakriti, on the other hand, represents the material world, and the ever-changing nature of our experiences. It encompasses everything we perceive and interact with—our bodies, our environment, and our thoughts. Prakriti is the creative force, the energy that fuels our lives and our evolution.
The Evolution of the Self Through Yoga
Yoga is not just about achieving balance within the body’s systems but also about facilitating a profound shift towards enlightenment. This transformation is rooted in the concept of Sattva, one of the three Gunas or essential qualities that make up all of creation, according to the ancient teachings of yoga.
The Three Gunas
Tamas, Rajas, and Sattva—are the fundamental aspects of nature, influencing everything we experience.
Tamas: This Guna is characterised by darkness, inertia, and lethargy. When Tamas predominates, we may feel stuck, unable to change our circumstances, or even disconnected from our true potential.
Those dominated by Tamas might struggle to initiate change, finding it difficult to engage in activities like yoga that could lift them out of their current state.
Yoga for everyone
Energising poses such as sun salutations, standing postures, and backbends can help to awaken and invigorate a Tamasic individual. Inversions help to raise the energy and flowing sessions which change from pose to pose are beneficial.
Rajas: Rajas is the energy of passion, desire, and activity. It drives us to take action, often with enthusiasm and a sense of urgency. However, when Rajas is in excess, it can lead to restlessness and agitation.
Rajasic individuals might be drawn to dynamic, vigorous yoga practices that match their energy levels. To balance this, it’s beneficial to incorporate calming poses and mindful transitions towards the end of a session, guiding them gently towards a state of peace.
Sattva: The most desirable of the three Gunas, Sattva represents purity, harmony, and enlightenment. It is associated with clarity of mind, kindness, and a deep sense of inner peace. Sattvic individuals are naturally drawn to activities that foster spiritual growth, such as meditation, reading, and connecting with nature. Yoga practice aims to cultivate Sattva, guiding practitioners towards a state of balance and enlightenment.
Yoga as a Tool for Transformation
Yoga offers us the unique ability to consciously shift the balance of these Gunas within ourselves, leading to personal transformation. While we cannot jump directly from Tamas (inertia) to Sattva (enlightenment), yoga helps us navigate through Rajas (activity) to ultimately achieve a state of Sattva.
This journey is deeply personal and ever-evolving. By recognizing the Gunas within ourselves—whether in our daily lives, our interactions, or our yoga practice—we can honour where we are and make conscious choices that guide us towards greater harmony and clarity.
Yoga is not just about mastering poses or achieving physical flexibility; it is a lifelong journey of self-discovery and transformation
Whether you are just beginning your yoga practice or have been on this path for years, the wisdom of yoga invites you to explore the depths of your being, uncover your true self, and move towards a state of Sattva—purity, light, and harmony.
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Got Questions? I have Answers
Contact PhillipaAuthor: Phillipa Butler, Chartered Physiotherapist
