Excitingspas

Hatha Yoga is one of India's oldest and most comprehensive traditions, encompassing a vast array of physical and mental techniques designed to gain control over the nervous system, and to achieve states of transcendence. Although yoga's highest purpose is to help practitioners maintain daily happiness, yoga has a number of secondary goals, such as physical health, mental harmony, and emotional balance. In its most integrated form, yoga seeks to unlock our human potential.

The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word "Yuj" meaning to yoke, join or unite. This implies joining or integrating all aspects of the individual - body with mind and mind with soul - to achieve a happy, balanced and useful life, and spiritually, uniting the individual with the supreme.

In India, Yoga is considered one of the six branches of classical philosophy and is referred to throughout the Vedas - ancient Indian scriptures and amongst the oldest texts in existence. The Upanishads are also broadly philosophical treatises which postdate the Vedas and deal with the nature of the "soul" and universe.

What are the potential benefits of yoga?

• Improves flexibility, posture, muscle tone
• Improves breath control, mental focus
• Enhances overall body strength
• Eliminates mental "chatter" by quieting the mind
• Detoxifies and stretches key muscle groups, strengthening the entire body
• Restores health