Life Balance Yoga

Yoga can be used as a therapy that benefits people with many conditions. It can help provide balance to any number of systems within the body: the immune system, respiratory system, muscular and skeletal systems, nervous system including the vagus nerve (which affects how our bodies internalise stress), endocrine and exocrine systems, lymphatic systems, digestive system, cardiovascular system and reproductive system. (HYVITC, 2014)

Yoga according to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras comes from (ashtanga) eight limbs and the asana, physical practice, is one limb. Other limbs involve the yamas (ethics) and niyamas (self-discipline) which encourage living a life of good moral and ethical character. Pratyahara is the withdrawal of attention from the physical world and turning your attention inward.

This allows to observe individual habits, judgements, behaviours, patterns, triggers and reactions. Pranayama, ‘prana’ meaning life-force, this is practiced through breathing exercises. Dharana which is concentration. Dhyana which is meditation. Practicing all these seven limbs with view to reach Samadhi, the eighth limb which is Enlightment, a state of euphoria, internal bliss.