What is Yoga?
by Suzanne Gray

Yoga is an ancient system of practice originating in India over 5.000 years ago. The traditional translation of yoga is “union”, and yoga promotes union of body, mind and spirit. This leads to a greater sense of harmony & peace within ourselves, and within our interactions with others and the world around us.

Yoga uses physical exercises (asanas) breath awareness (pranayama) focus & meditation (dharana & dhyana) as well as internalisation (pratyahara) and ethical observances (yama & niyama) to reach that state of union or harmony called “samadhi”.

Although Samadhi is an ultimate goal, we first experience better health, ease in our body, we begin to feel more relaxed, and naturally calmer and more centred. This leads naturally to a more meditative way of being, and a desire to live in a way that supports that calmness rather than disturbs it, and we begin to experience the flavour of samadhi, even in our daily life.

Yoga can be adapted to all bodies, minds, ages & shapes. Everyone who practices it will benefit in some way. Alleviating back pain lets you feel more relaxed and at ease. Athletes will find their training is maximised and injuries heal faster. Mums will find they are able to stay more centred and loving towards their families, no matter what is going on! Artists will find their creativity will flow more easily, and students will find it easier to focus and businessmen will share that focus and not feel so stressed by work challenges and problems. Solutions will come more easily.

At first you experience the physical and mental benefits, then you begin to notice something deeper, that underlying sense of peace that you have been looking for without even knowing it! Some call this happiness, enlightenment or realisation. Each person's experience is unique and their own.

Yoga offers a philosophy/way of living but is not a religion & does not require specific beliefs. Anyone can practice yoga, whatever faith they are.

MORE BENEFITS OF YOGA

PHYSICAL:
Strength, flexibility, back pain relief, enhanced injury recovery, stronger immune system, maximised sports/physical training, increased metabolism, strong digestion, build stronger bones & protect against osteoporosis, lower blood pressure, maintain youthfulness, improve  symptoms of arthritis & diabetes, support pregnancy, menstruation & menopause.
 
MENTAL:
Stress relief, increase focus & concentration, quieten down a busy mind,  feel more calm & relaxed, let go of conflict/worries more easily, find solutions, build strength of character, reduce anxiety & depression, increase confidence and peace of mind, let your creativity flow.

SPIRITUAL:
Live more consciously, live in harmony with your ideals and values, feel connected to something greater, feel a greater sense of purpose, feel a greater sense of acceptance and contentment, feel more peaceful within yourself, see things more truthfully, increase awareness of self and others, let go of stories of the mind and see things from a place of centred observation,  respond more, react less, recogise the interconnectedness of all things.

YOGA SUITS PEOPLE WHO:

• want to feel well physically and mentally, and want to be in tune with their bodies.
• want to feel more calm and relaxed
• need to relieve stress and tension
• want to improve sports performance or training
• need to relieve pain from structural injuries/problems such as back, neck or knee pain
• feel pretty good but have a sneaking suspicion there's “something more”
• want real wellbeing, physically, mentally & spiritually
• want to feel more at ease within themselves, with each other and with the earth itself

SO NOW YOU KNOW HOW GOOD YOGA IS...WHY THE GOLD COAST YOGA CENTRE?

• We have a wonderful team of highly trained teachers.
• They are mature and have a lot of life experience behind them with backgrounds as diverse as athletics, media, trades, theatre, nursing, adventure sports, secretarial, public service, parenthood, martial arts, Zen priest & buddhist meditation.
• They have also practiced and lived yoga for many years.
• This means they have experienced not only the benefits of yoga for wellbeing and health, but also how yoga has helped to meet many life challenges, with greater ease, and being able to integrate the wisdom that comes from such events in life, and they are able to share that experience so that you not only feel better in body and mind, but have a way to meet life challenges from a place of centre, calm and wisdom.
• We also offer a great range of yoga & ethical products, and a resource network of high quality practitioners and organisations to complement your yoga practice, and healthy (yogic) life.
• We also bring in great guest teachers who travel the world bringing their wisdom and knowledge to further enhance and deepen your practice, as well as in house workshops where we have the time to focus on developing your practice and understanding.
• We work at building a yoga community, where people who share an interest in yoga can come together either socially, or over other shared interests (such as the environment or natural health) to make a positive contribution the community we live in, or simply to enjoy meeting new likeminded friends from all walks of life.

GOLD COAST YOGA CENTRE  - something more..
37A/2 Eighth Ave, Palm Beach
(07) 5534 2883