Yoga works on both the body and the mind. It not only gives us poise, balance, strength and flexibility, but it also makes us attentive and centred.

Yoga, which loosely translates to “union’ (of body and mind) is a complete exercise, and has been around for over 4000 years (yes, you read that right!).
It has been in the last 20 years that it is has grown into a household name in South Africa. At this juncture most everyone has heard or has personally experienced that yoga is good for you; mind, body and soul. After all, 40 centuries of empirical evidence can’t be so inaccurate, no matter where your belief systems lie.

Over so many millenia, it is easily understood that there are many many different styles and interpretations of the asanas (poses) and this is a big reason why I love yoga. Yoga really is for everyone. It doesn’t allow itself to be “boxed” to one particular type of person… and if trying out one style isn’t appealing… my advice is… don’t give up trying another style… you will find one that suits your body, mind and speed.

The yoga that I am qualified and trained to teach is Bikram Yoga and Ashtanga Vinyasa.

Vinyasa Yoga

The word Vinyasa, in Sanskrit, means “breath-synchronized movement”, In other words, moving from one pose to the next on an inhale or an exhale. This technique is sometimes also called Vinyasa Flow, or just Flow because of the smooth way that the poses run together and become like a dance and this is a derivative form of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga.
This is a dynamic connecting class that creates a flow between the more static traditional yoga postures.  A Vinyasa Flow class will link poses through the breath, employing the 3 basic premises of Ashtanga, being breath (prana), gaze (drishti) and heat.

The aspect of heat in the body, leads to purification of the body through increased circulation and sweating. It also improves flexibility, as well as tendon and hard tissue strength, allowing the student to practice advanced āsanas with reduced risk of injury.

The purpose of gaze (drishti) is focused gaze, is a means for developing concentrated intention

Pranayama is learning to control the breath. The breath is the connecting link between the body and the mind. Yoga works primarily with the energy in the body, through the science of pranayama, or energy-control. Yoga teaches how, through breath-control, to still the mind and attain higher states of awareness. This aside, you will oxygenate your body greatly, through an hour of conscious breathing, and the benefits of this will be felt immediately.

The main benefits of yoga are that it helps your circulation to penetrate deep into your muscles and tendons, healing and exercising your body inside and out. It also helps greatly in decreasing any chronic pains that you may have, stress reduction and creating lean muscle (thus burning more fat and losing weight). It also helps to balance your physical and mental states. These poses not only work with your muscles and limbs but they also work on your organ, lymph and nervous systems.

If you let it, yoga can and will change your life.

Find a class. Near you or online. A book or an app.

Just find a way to get on your mat do your yoga.

You will never regret it. xxx

To follow my yoga journey please find me on Facebook and Instagram as Helen Garner | yoga everywhere or connect with me on my website

Yoga is all about connections

Life is all about connections

I would love to hear from you and see where you are at.

I have been living and practicing yoga seriously and authentically since 2000 and teaching since 2004. I teach Ashtanga Vinyasa and Bikram Yoga and have a personal interest in creating a class that accepts and allows every single person that is willing to try. The beauty of yoga is that it is forgiving, and it is inclusive. A total beginner can do the very same class that an experienced yogi is doing. Its all about finding and trusting and pushing your very own limits, for you, for that day.

I am not a big fan of following rules and conforming and I truly believe that the more people that can be exposed to any yoga at any level, will feel and see the benefits throughout their own lives.

I am currently teaching :

• weekly classes in Ballito, KZN North Coast
• various scheduled weekend workshops in my quirky and peaceful studio on the farm
• retreats at The Cavern Berg Mountain Resort http://www.cavern.co.za/

Having practiced yoga for over 20 years and teaching for 14, my understanding and deep connection to the yogic lifestyle, I have 100% enhanced my freediving experience. I would never have been able to dive as deep as I did as quickly as I did without the tools gifted to me from yoga.

Helen is committed to sharing the gift of yoga so it may enhance not only your freedive experience but your entire life. The mental emotional and physical awareness, empowering us and building the strength and flexibility necessary to succeed.

**** For information about any of these classes and events please contact Helen ****