Health by Yoga
By Hersha Chellaram
For more information on how to get started, contact Hersha Chellaram at: 617 573 183 or email: info@hershayoga.com and together you can find the yoga class and style perfect for you.
For many women who have relocated to Spain, Hatha Yoga is one activity that helps you stay healthy, manage the stress of a big move, meet other like-minded women, and even learn Spanish.
What is Hatha Yoga?
“Yoga began with one person wanting to be happy and healthy all the time.”
-- Sri Swami Satchidananda
Hatha Yoga is the physical practice of yoga consisting of: Asanas (a sequence of postures), deep relaxation, Pranayama (breathing techniques), Kriyas (cleansing processes), and meditation. Though not strictly an exercise, yoga strengthens the physical body and enhances flexibility. What’s more, the stretches are designed to massage your internal organs, clearing the body from toxins and improving their function. There are many style of Hatha Yoga, each with a different name (e.g., Integral, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, etc.), however these names simply indicate a different tradition of Hatha Yoga, where you practice the same postures in different sequences and variations.
Contrary to popular belief, you do not need to be flexible to practice yoga. A good yoga teacher will accommodate all levels in his or her class. In fact, many of the women that come in to my yoga classes complain of stiffness or injured body parts, yet they walk out feeling relaxed and refreshed. The benefits come to the body regardless of how advanced you are.
The Health Benefits of Yoga:
Poor circulation of the blood can cause symptoms of old age, such as stiffness, wrinkles and poor complexion. Poor circulation leaves a lot of toxins and other waste matter in various parts of the body. Once blood circulation is enriched, this foreign matter is washed out and eliminated, giving the body a revived look and feel. When you practice Hatha Yoga and Pranayama blood circulation is improved and individuals will be able to experience a more supple and relaxed body, increased vitality, radiant health and help in curing physical illness.
Before coming to yoga, I lived a hectic city life, working hard and playing hard. I smoked, loved my cosmopolitans, and enjoyed four to five nights out each week. No doubt, it wasn’t long before I felt completely burnt out. I turned to yoga to feel better and relax. After practicing regularly, I dropped all my unhealthy habits quite easily (without any effort), and as a result lost about 10kgs. Many people have said that I look five years younger.
Additional Benefits of Yoga:
While Hatha Yoga focuses on enhancing the physical body, practicing deep relaxation, breathing and meditation calms the mind and reduces stress. The discipline of yoga strengthens your inner-self, developing your self-esteem and will power. Some women who have joined my yoga class have suffered some life challenge or tragedy. They started taking yoga to calm their minds. For one hour and fifteen minutes, they forget about their problems.
When needed, my yoga classes are bi-lingual giving newcomers the chance to learn a little bit of Spanish at the same time. After the class, the students and I all go to a café to relax and talk about upcoming events, introduce new friends, and even to practice Spanish.
This wonderful group of friends provide a support system, allowing us to make new friends, network and integrate into the new culture more easily. All the ladies that attend my class truly look out for one another. This has made a world of difference for many of us, and has been the key factor for integrating into Spanish life.
How to Begin?
The Costa del Sol has a wide range of yoga classes and courses. Before beginning any new class, ask your neighbours or your friends if there are any regular yoga classes in your area. This might be the easiest option if you don’t own a car. There are several studios and spas that offer yoga in Marbella, Nueva Andalucia, Estepona, Sabinillas, Manilva, Sotogrande, and Gibraltar.
Many instructors offer both group and private classes. They key benefit of a private class is that your yoga programme is tailored specifically around your ability and goals, as well as your schedule. Although they cost much more than attending group classes, this can be very beneficial if you have any special needs.
If transportation is not an issue, you might want to look at a style of yoga to suit your level and temperament. Here is a list of different yoga styles that are popular along the Costa del Sol:
• Integral Yoga is a classical form of yoga designed to develop every aspect of the individual: physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual. It integrates the various branches of Yoga in order to bring about a complete and harmonious development of the individual. The class includes yoga postures, deep relaxation, breathing techniques, and meditation, focusing on the mind as much as the body. It is a gentle yet complete style of yoga, ideal for beginners, intermediates, and those who may suffer from injuries.
www.hershayoga.com
• Seven Stars Yoga takes its name from the seven major joint locations of the body: the neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles. Where as most styles of yoga are derived purely from Indian sources, Seven Stars Yoga also draws much of its influence from Chinese health practices (chi gung), especially those concerned with developing chi (life energy force).
www.yoga-taichi.co.uk
• Vinyasa Yoga links or joins the breath with movement in a graceful flowing form. The Yoga postures are sequenced in different ways with respect to poses followed by counter poses, using the breath to lead the body from one posture to the next. It is a stronger style of yoga, designed for those who like to be more active.
www.yoga-in-marbella.net
• Ashtanga Yoga is sometimes called “Power Yoga” as it is an intense style of yoga, practiced by many celebrities such as Madonna and Sting. This method of Yoga involves synchronizing the breath with progressive series of postures—a process producing intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs.
• BKS Iyengar Yoga is a very precise form of yoga with emphasis on precision and alignment. This style of yoga uses accessories such as wooden gadgets, belts and ropes to aid the practitioner in achieving ‘perfection’ in all the postures. In addition, classes include various groups of sequences.
• Prenatal Yoga is a very gentle style of yoga designed specifically for expectant mothers. Regular yoga classes can be too strenuous, especially for those that have never taken yoga before. The class focuses on developing strength and flexibility for the legs and the hips, breathing exercises to prepare for labour and quiet moments of relaxation and connecting with your baby.
For those who have any medical conditions, it is important that you get your doctor’s permission before participating in any yoga programme. Also, before starting a class, it is wise to inform your instructor of your physical health, just in case there are some postures you should avoid.
Most yoga centres provide yoga mats and accessories but it is wise to bring a small towel and a bottle of water and wear comfortable clothing so you can stretch easily. All the traditions share common goals and students experience similar results: a healthy body, a tranquil mind and a great life!