Yoga is not about

the shape of your body,

but the shape of your life.

Shall we discover

what shapes your life?

Yoga is a holistic practice that combines physical postures, breath control, meditation, and ethical principles to promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Originating in ancient India, yoga is more than just a form of exercise; it is a comprehensive system aimed at achieving harmony between the body, mind, and spirit. The physical aspect of yoga, known as asanas or poses, helps to build strength, flexibility, and balance, while the breathwork, or pranayama, regulates energy flow and calms the nervous system. Meditation and mindfulness practices within yoga cultivate mental clarity, emotional stability, and a deep sense of inner peace. Beyond these practices, yoga also encompasses ethical guidelines that encourage a compassionate and mindful way of living. Whether practiced for physical health, stress relief, or spiritual growth, yoga offers a pathway to greater self-awareness and connection to the world around us, making it a transformative practice for people of all ages and abilities.

Yoga originating out of ancient India are rooted in both spiritual and physical practices that have evolved over thousands of years. The foundational forms of yoga include:

1. Raja Yoga: Often referred to as the "royal path," Raja Yoga focuses on meditation and the control of the mind. It is based on the eightfold path (Ashtanga) outlined by the sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. These eight limbs include ethical disciplines (Yamas and Niyamas), physical postures (Asanas), breath control (Pranayama), sensory withdrawal (Pratyahara), concentration (Dharana), meditation (Dhyana), and ultimately, enlightenment (Samadhi).
2. Karma Yoga: Known as the path of selfless action, Karma Yoga emphasizes performing one's duties and actions without attachment to the results. It is the practice of serving others and performing work as an offering to the divine, which leads to spiritual growth and purification of the heart.
3. Bhakti Yoga: The path of devotion, Bhakti Yoga is centered on the love and devotion towards a personal deity or the divine in general. It involves practices like chanting, prayer, and rituals, aiming to cultivate a deep sense of connection and surrender to the divine.
4. Jnana Yoga: Jnana Yoga, or the path of knowledge, focuses on intellectual inquiry and the pursuit of wisdom. It involves deep study, self-reflection, and meditation to realize the true nature of the self and the universe. It is often considered the most direct but also the most challenging path, as it requires a disciplined mind and a commitment to understanding profound philosophical concepts.
5. Hatha Yoga: While many people today associate yoga primarily with physical postures, Hatha Yoga is one of the original forms that emphasizes physical practice as a means to prepare the body and mind for deeper spiritual practices. It includes asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), and meditation. Hatha Yoga forms the foundation for many modern styles of yoga practiced worldwide today.
6. Tantra Yoga: Tantra Yoga involves rituals, visualization, and sometimes mantra practices aimed at awakening the dormant spiritual energy (Kundalini) within the body. It is often misunderstood in the West but traditionally involves complex practices that aim to transcend the ordinary consciousness and unite the individual with the divine.