Yoga is an ancient Indian tradition that is believed to date back over 5,000 years. Although twisting of bodies in presumably painful poses is what most people have come to associate with yoga, there is much more to it.
Yoga is classified under eight different classes; yama, which deals with social ethics, niyama (social ethics), asana (postures), pranayama (life force), pratyahara (turning the senses inwards), dharana (one-pointed focus), dyana (meditation), and samadhi (merging with the self).
Yoga further comprises of various schools of philosophy including; bhakti yoga, gyan yoga, karma yoga, raj yoga, shiva yoga and mantra yoga, to mention a few.
That said, the different types of yoga work in tandem, like spokes in a wheel, and are all important in the holistic development of an individual.
In modern times, yoga has come to be associated largely with physical postures and exercises, but the central teaching of yoga is concerned with maintaining of a unanimous state of mind.
Recently there have been some positive developments that have seen yoga gain wider international acceptance. Once misunderstood, or out rightly looked down upon, it is being hailed as one of the best natural remedies across nations, races and social classes.
“For me yoga means possibilities, connections, opportunities, community, love and wonders because yoga brought and continues to bring all of these into my daily life” uttered Mazimpaka
Mazimpaka is not only a yoga teacher, she is also a mindfulness and meditation coach
It is not just a physical activity, but mental and spiritual as well
She added “It helped me to stop making assumptions in my life. When I need something I ask.”
Yoga is an exercise in exploring the limitless potential of body, mind and soul.
