The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word “Yuj” meaning to Yoke, Join or Union, Unity, Oneness, Wholeness.

Yoga basically has two parts:

The first part - Principle can be defined as: Yoga is the Union of the Individual Spirit with the Universal Spirit. A Path to Self-Realisation or Self Mastery, Liberation, Nirvana, Moksha.

The second part - Practice can be defined as: A Path of Meditation, Selfless Work, Devotion or Path of Knowledge. All the practice regardless of name or where we are on the path is a combination of these four paths.

Ultimately it is the joining or integrating of all aspects of the individual – body, mind and soul. In the world this means we live a balanced and fulfilled life. Spiritually it means the individual unites once again with the Supreme.

There are many branches of Yoga but all have their roots in history stretching back thousands of years. Most of the teaching of the ancient philosophy and practice of yoga was not written down but passed down orally from Guru - spiritual teacher to Sisya - student. Early Indian society wrote a set of scriptures known as Vedas these contained all the practices and methods to attune people to the elements and natural forces of the Universe. Later teachings known as Upanishads were added to the Vedas, these became known as Vedanta.

Approximately 2,500 years ago the Great Sage Patanjali wrote the Yoga Sutra, a manual of yoga explaining the physical and subtle aspects to the practice of yoga that leads to self-realisation.

Patanjali’s Eight Limbs of Yoga

Yamas – restraints, abstinence, living with regard for others
Niyamas – observances, principles of self conduct, self surrender
Asana – practice of the postures
Pranayama – the science of breath and life force
Pratyahara – withdrawal and control of the senses
Dharanam – concentration, focus of the mind on one thing
Dhyana – meditation and concentration
Samadhi – state of higher consciousness, super conscious, self realisation, bliss

The eight limbs of yoga are sometimes symbolically represented in the form of the Dancing Shiva, god of yoga, having four arms and four legs. Yoga is therefore the dance of the eight limbs where the physical "dance" is the manifestation of the teachings of Patanjali leading the practitioner to self-realisation.

In the modern age, particularly in the west much of the deeper teachings of Yoga have been ignored and it is most often practiced for physical reasons. Consequently Hatha Yoga is the most well known and practiced. Hatha Yoga is a blanket term used to described the ancient Indian system of physical postures and breathing exercises of yoga but in actual fact the word Hatha means force and symbolises the union of two words Ha – Sun – Masculine and Tha – Moon – Feminine and the balance of these two opposing forces in the body.

Whatever approach is taken in truth there is only one yoga. The different styles and traditions are merely different routes to the same destination and suit different people.

The Yoga classes I offer are centred on a powerful but gentle approach to individual health and healing and spiritual growth. Emphasis is placed on the participation and personal experience of yoga.  Classes include asanas/postures and sequences, pranayama/breathing techniques, mudras/hand gestures, relaxation, meditation, aspects of INFINITE CHI yoga and DRU yoga, chanting, and spiritual readings and teachings.

"One who has control over the mind is tranquil in heat and cold, in pleasure and pain, and in honour and dishonour; and is ever steadfast with the Supreme Self" - Bhagavad Gita