We all stretch our limits everyday between the demands of home and work and the other challenges that life throws at us, such as loadshedding, but what about stretching the limitations of your mind and those stiff limbs of yours?
Yoga is the perfect exercise for beginners and anyone who has not exercised for a while. It also has the added benefits of helping you get in tune with your body and your inner self.
At the Himalaya Yoga Studio the following styles are practised: Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, Gentle Yoga, Yin Yoga, and soon Kundalini Yoga. Courses for beginners are also available, says owner Joanne Gonsalves.
"I have been practicing yoga for a long time and been teaching for seven years after being taught by my Gurus in Nepal and India, the original home of yoga," says Joanne. "Our teachers are all experienced yoga instructors and embrace their craft with sincerity and respect for others."
The yoga styles taught at the studio focus on gentle, "easeful" moves, stretches, twists and mindful breathing, flowing into longer-held stretches to open up your joints and ease tension.
According to Joan yoga has many benefits. It is calming, relaxing and can help to reduce stress and anxiety, while releasing the tightness and tension in your body. It will furthermore tone and strengthen your body and help you gain better balance, mobility, and flexibility. Yoga could also help to ease you back into your old self since it can also be an inward journey towards getting to know yourself better.
While yoga is not necessarily about losing weight, it could also help you on your weight loss journey as you become more aware of your lifestyle habits and move towards more positive changes.
Joanne's own life philosophy is to live life to her fullest potential. "Don't be afraid to try new things but give it your best shot before saying no thanks, that's not for me."
Try something new, try yoga. You never know where it might take you.
For more information, contact himalayayogatrek.com or Joanne at 082 746 9635. The Himalaya Yoga Studio is situated at 16 Jim Fouche Avenue, Plattekloof.