The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit language meaning to yoke, bind or create union or focus ones attention on. Yoga is meant to create a yoking of Mind, Body & Spirit in union with source - which can be whatever higher power you connect with or a connection with all things.
The knowledge of yoga was collected and codified by Patanjali (an ancient Indian scholar and sage) in a text called the Yoga Sutras around 500BCE. The sutras (a Sanskrit word meaning thread or bare bones) are 196 aphorisms which are designed to help the practitioner, ‘Quiet the fluctuations of the mind’ (Sutra 1.2) and find liberation from the ego or ‘enlightenment’. Said another way, the wisdom from this ancient text outlines steps to bring about a higher awareness of spiritual & self knowledge through conscious focused attention on body and breath. Yoga goes about creating this balance of the mind, body and spirit by practicing physical asanas (poses) while also cultivating breath and present moment awareness.
All classes start with an opening called ‘centering’ which is a time to help you become fully present on your mat and ready for the practice. At it’s most basic, ‘centering’ is a time to be still, slow down the constant chatter of the mind, and tune in to your body’s sensations. A few minutes into the centering process, many students will notice that their breathing has slowed, blood pressure has lowered, and begin to sense an overall feeling of calm - giving your nervous system a change to catch a break.
From there, your teacher will guide you through a series of poses (asanas) where you will work to maintain an awareness of the sensations you’re feeling and the pace of your breath. Classes follow an arc in structure moving from the opening centering process, through a warm up that leads into a practice that might include a climax to a key pose or peak. That is followed by a cool down to ease you into a more relaxed state so you can enjoy Savasana or final resting pose (aka - adult nap time;-). Hopefully, leaving you to return to your day feeling more balanced in your mind, body & spirit and reaping the benefits of a yoga practice.
At Southern Lotus Yoga in McDonough, GA, we seek to create a community where we nurture practicing yoga with kindness and compassion while encouraging others to share in this spirit both on and off mat. We strive to cultivate an enriching yoga practice that balances, mind, body and spirit. Our students leave their mats feeling grounded by a well-rounded experience through our programs, classes and events. Call Us or Register Now!
At Southern Lotus Yoga, we seek to create a community where we nurture the practice of yoga with kindness and compassion to serve the greater McDonough area.
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