The health benefits of yoga

Tiscali met with Chris James, Kriya Yoga Teacher & Developer of Chris James Urban Yoga Detox, to discuss the benefits of yoga and how to get started. Watch our video demonstration with Chris and find out more about him at www.chrisjamesyoga.com.

The Sanskrit word yoga is translated as 'union' between mind, body and spirit. In the West, the most widely taught form of yoga is Hatha Yoga with classes offering students exercises to stretch and flex the body, develop breath awareness, relaxation and sometimes meditation. Some classes may be low impact while others can be very demanding.

Asanas (yoga postures) strengthen and tone the body and improve the flow of energy - regulating physical systems of the body and breath, and stilling the mind for meditation.

The asanas used in a class will vary from teacher to teacher and depend on the abilities of the students. The objective in asana work is not how far you can stretch or contort your body, but to combine stability (stira) with ease/relaxation (sukha).

Simple breathing techniques are taught to develop awareness and relaxation of the breath. These are then developed into 'pranayama' exercises - controlling and moving prana through the breath. Prana means the 'vital' or 'life force energy'.

Not all exercises are suitable for those with respiratory or circulatory conditions, so be sure to advise your teacher if you have a condition before you start a class.

There are a huge variety of meditation techniques and styles. The ones you're most likely to come across will have the objective of stilling the mind by focussing your awareness on a single object - the movement of the breath, an image or candle, a sound or chant.

Search for a qualified yoga instructor approved by The British Wheel of Yoga. Find out more at www.bwy.org.uk.

Copy used with permission from The British Wheel of Yoga.