Yoga often brings to mind awkward poses, tight lycra, and yoga clubs bursting with bendy bodies. This western interpretation keeps many intrigued individuals away from the yoga class sign-up sheet. We would like to dispel a few myths:

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•    Myth: You don’t need to join an elite yoga club

You can do yoga alone at home or in the garden. 

•    Myth: You don’t need to wear lycra.

You can wear your pyjamas, or a t-shirt and shorts. 

•    Myth: You need to be extremely flexible. 

There are yoga routines available for bodies in virtually any physical condition. 

 

The word yoga translates as connection or union, meaning the conscious and harmonious joining of the body, mind and spirit. The phrase my body is my temple has never been truer than in yoga practice - it is the alignment of the mind and the physical body, using exercises and breathing techniques to relieve stress and improve health. 

 

Traditional yoga is ancient; dating back more than 5,000 years to the Indus-Sarasvati civilisation in Northern India. A desire for personal freedom, good health, a longer life, and a heightened state of self-understanding gave birth to this technique of physical and mental exercise.

 

The yoga system is built upon three main elements: exercise, breathing, and meditation. The postures are designed to put pressure on the glandular systems, increasing the body’s efficiency area by area. The breathing techniques in yoga are built on the principle that the breath is the source of life, and that by observing and controlling it, we improve the alignment of body and mind. Ultimately, the combination of postures and breath control prepare the body and mind for meditation, which is the practice of quietening the mind. Regular daily practice of all three elements has proven to transform lives, create a clear and bright mind, and build a robust and capable body.

 

Yoga is not a religion: it has no dogma or fixed set of beliefs, nor is there a prescribed godlike figure to be worshipped in a particular manner. Religions, for the most part, are based upon the belief in, and worship of things (God or godlike figures) that exist outside oneself. The core of yoga’s philosophy is that everything is within the individual. So, there is no dependence on an external figure, either in the sense of a person, a god figure, or a religious organisation.

 

Best of all, it’s suitable for most adults of any age or physical condition. The thinkmiracle yoga routine is straightforward for beginners, will build strength over time, and most significantly, brings about a tremendous sense of well-being, clarity and mental strength.

 

At thinkmiracle HQ, we practise yoga every day on a rug in the office, wearing jeans or loose trousers and a t-shirt. Practice typically lasts around 30 minutes, resulting in a massive surge of energy which can continue for hours. We have all had some basic training in India, but we also know it isn’t necessary to fly to Mumbai to learn the fundamentals; in fact, we will give those here in a series of videos which will be posted shortly.