There is a magical quality that makes yoga different from western workouts. Yoga gives you true fitness and brings inner-strength, clarity and calm.

Yoga is for everyone: men, women, kids, teens, through to seniors, mothers-to-be and new mums. Taking your first step onto the yoga mat is an exciting new beginning. Whichever style or class you go with, we believe that the only way to start yoga is with the highest standard of teacher in the best environment. Building a solid foundation is the most important part of your yoga practice.

History of yoga

At least 4,000 years ago (possibly much longer), the early yogis in Northern India drew on their deep experiences and formulated practices for man to achieve and maintain a state of balanced existence.

Patanjali’s Eight Limbs of Yoga

Patanjali compiled the Yoga Sutras, an ancient text on yoga theory and practice. Sage Patanjali is credited with the compilation and formulation of Ashtanga Yoga – yoga of eight limbs.  He is estimated to have lived between 2nd and 4th century CE.  Patanjali yoga sutras is one of the most important texts in Indian tradition and the foundation of classical Yoga. Sutra means, thread. Each Sutra is interconnected like beads on a thread and each of equal importance.

The 8-fold path offers guidelines for a meaningful and purposeful life. These 8 steps serve as a guidance for moral conduct and self-discipline. The goal of yoga is to transform and transcend the mind. Yoga means yolk or to join. To unite our body, mind and soul with our pure consciousness within. To be free from the identity of our mind, which is limited and to experience freedom.

The 8 Limbs of Yoga

• Yama  Non-harming, truthfulness, non-stealing, abstinence.
• Niyama  Cleanliness, contentment, self-discipline.
• Asana  Steadiness and ease in a posture.
• Pranayama  Control of the breath.
• Pratyahara  Withdrawal of the senses.
• Dharana  Focus.
• Dhyana  Meditation.
• Samadhi  Pure bliss and freedom.