Do not look at yoga in the form of a practice, but as a life process. ~ Swami Niranjanananda |
 |
 |
 |
|
||
 |
|
 |
|
||
Yoga at Shiva Rooms, Kingston-upon-Thames
At Shiva Health we believe that yoga is for everyone regardless of your age, gender, nationality, colour or creed.
Yoga does not postulate any political or religious beliefs. It provides everybody, regardless of social background, with tools for health, peace of mind and an inspired vision for their lives. People who practise yoga are of all ages, levels of fitness and come from many walks of life. Both men and women are welcome!
Currently, we offer Satyananda, Sivananda & Integral Vinyasa classes. We also offer Pregnancy & Post-natal Yoga and Yoga for Kids in the Satyananda Yoga tradition.
What is Satyananda Yoga?
It is an internationally renowned system of yoga developed by Swami Satyananda Saraswati and his lineage, which incorporates practices derived from ancient and traditional sources. Satyananda Yoga uses practices in a classical way, asana (postures) to balance the body and mind through the physical body, pranayama (breathing practices) to work on the energy of the body and meditation to calm and focus the mind. It also takes a broader outlook by teaching and encouraging yogic lifestyles. Through the practice of hatha (physical) yoga the body is purified, preparing it for the more advanced stages of yoga.
How does Satyananda Yoga work?
Satyananda Yoga incorporates the whole person, not just the physical body – it promotes the balance between body, mind, emotions and spirit. There is an emphasis on awareness and students are encouraged to learn about all aspects of their personality through yoga. Through awakening individuals’ awareness and inherent self-healing powers, physical diseases and mental stress can be managed and relieved. By steadying the emotions and calming the mind, a sense of perspective can be gained, bringing a feeling of peace, freedom and inner strength.
About Abhijeeta...
What is Integral Vinyasa Yoga?
This is a style of Hatha yoga born out of the inspiration of great yoga gurus such as Swami Sivananda, Professor Krishnamacharya, and Paramahansa Yogananda. Yogananda was a great emissary in bringing yoga to the West. He taught that “self-realisation” is possible for everyone including the ordinary householder.
“Integral” yoga involves an integrated approach to all peoples and religions of the world. It involves practising all the limbs of Yoga at the same time from ethical code of conduct to the asanas (physical postures) and pranayama (breathing exercises). “Vinyasa” is a synchronization of breath, movement and mind. It is teaching and learning yoga through a carefully constructed series of postures flowing together with the use of breath.
The goals of practising asanas are to detoxify and rejuvenate all systems of the body, to purify thoughts and emotions and to promote deep stress release. Almost all of the yoga postures are woven around the spine to ensure its flexibility and strength. If the spine is healthy, the central nervous system is strong and steady, and energy can flow freely in the body preventing disease and well-being. Asana practice is a means to deepen our self-awareness in order to bring about self-transformation.
Thus Integral Vinyasa incorporates the mind, body and spirit in yoga and is a beautiful blend of teachings from all these great gurus.
What is Sivananda Yoga?
By closely observing the lifestyles and needs of people in the west Swami Vishnu-devananda synthesised the ancient wisdom of yoga into five basic principles that could easily be incorporated into one’s own lifestyle to provide the foundation for healthy living. It is around these five principles that the activities at the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre are based.
The Five Points
Proper Exercise (Asanas)
acts as a lubricating routine for the joints and muscles and other parts
of the body by increasing circulation and flexibility. The asanas not only
produce physical benefits, but are also mental exercises in concentration
and meditation, promoting optimum good health.
Proper Breathing (Pranayama)
connects the body to the solar plexus, where tremendous potential energy
is stored. Through specific breathing techniques this energy is released
for physical and mental rejuvenation.
Proper Relaxation (Savasan)
is a vital part of keeping the body and mind healthy. Yoga teaches three
levels of relaxation – physical, mental and spiritual.
Proper Diet (Vegetarian)
is eating with awareness. A yogi takes food which has the most positive
effect on the body and mind and the least negative effect on the environment.
Positive Thinking and Meditation (Vedanta and Dhyana)
relieves stress and replenishes energy. Meditation is well-known to improve
concentration and to bring peace of mind and spiritual strength. Meditation
is beneficial for everyone, especially those with a hectic, stressful life.
Hari OM Tat Sat