Yoga Courses: Learn About Yoga

Considering a Yoga Course? 

It’s a good idea to take up a yoga course to give yourself that well needed mental break. Yoga is a great workout for the body that enables relaxation and allows you to escape your mind. In addition, it is a great way to meet new people and make new friends. Not to mention, a yoga course could be your first steps to becoming a yoga instructor. Yoga has many benefits for your physical and mental health. The good news is there are tons of yoga courses currently available.  

What is Yoga? 

Yoga is a mind and body practice with a 5,000-year history in ancient Indian philosophy. There are various styles of yoga that are combined with physical postures, breathing techniques and of course, relaxation and meditation. In more recent years, yoga has flourished and become a popular form of physical exercise based on poses that promote improved control of the mind and body and enhance wellbeing. There are many different kinds of yoga and lots of different disciplines within the practice. 

The Benefits of Yoga 

There are many benefits for people that decide to take up yoga, both physical and mental. On the physical side of things, yoga will increase flexibility, muscle strength and tone. It will also improve respiration, energy and vitality. Yoga also helps people to maintain a balanced metabolism, lose weight and improve their cardio and circulatory health. You can expect from doing a yoga course to come out with improved athletic performance and protection from injury also. On the mental side of things, yoga helps people to manage their stress immensely and helps those who suffer from mental health issues to give their minds a break and a form of escapism.  

What Will I Learn? 

Each course will vary depending on the course provider, however, there are some universal topics you can expect to learn about in any yoga course. Therefore, you can expect to learn about the eight limbs of yoga. The core of yoga ethics which are the Yamas and Nivamas, the classical yoga postures which are referred to as Asanas. They include standing, sitting, kneeling, spine, prone and balancing postures.

You will also study pranayama which means breath awareness, sectional breathing and classical yoga pranayamas. You will also explore pratyahara which is the practice of sense withdrawal. In addition, you will explore dharana which is the practice of focused attention and dhyana which is the practice of meditation. Finally, relaxation which is the practice of relaxing others as well as yourself. You will also explore anatomy and physiology as well as yoga kriyas, mudras and banhas.  

If you’re serious about doing a yoga course, check out courses near you in the Nightcourses.co.uk national course finder.