PROPER EXERCISE (Asana)

The twelve classical postures exercise every part of the body, stretching and toning the muscles and joints, the spine and the entire skeletal system. By maintaining the spine’s flexibility and strength, circulation is increased. They work also on the internal organs, glands and nerves keeping all systems in radiant health. By releasing physical and mental tension they also liberate vast resources of energy. As yoga regards the body as a vehicle for the soul on its journey towards perfection, the asanas are designed to develop not only the body, they also broaden the mental faculties and spiritual capacities.

PROPER BREATHING (Pranayama)

Many of us use only a fraction of our lung capacity for breathing, resulting in poor physical and mental health. Yoga teaches us how to use the lungs to their maximum capacity and how to control the breath. Deep, slow, rhythmical breathing increases oxygen intake and removes fatigue and lethargy. Pranayama (control of the vital energy) is achieved through specific breathing exercises. Yoga teaches us that the mind and prana are interdependent. By controlling the prana through breathing exercises we control the mind. Pranayama is a powerful tool to render the mind calm and clear and the intellect sharp. Through the practice of pranayama we increase the intake of prana and experience increased strength and vitality.

PROPER RELAXATION (Savasana)

When the body and the mind are constantly overworked, their natural efficiency to perform work diminishes. Our stressful lifestyles make it difficult for us to relax. We forget that rest and relaxation are nature’s way of recharging and are an essential ingredient for physical and mental health. Yoga teaches us powerful techniques of deep relaxation. By consciously relaxing every muscle of the body and controlling the breath we rejuvenate the nervous system and attain a deep sense of inner peace. Practices such as meditation lead us to a more profound appreciation of life, bringing joy and contentment into our daily lives.

PROPER DIET (lacto-vegetarian)

Besides being responsible for building our physical body, yoga teaches us that the foods we eat profoundly affect our mind. Yoga advocates a lacto-vegetarian diet as an integral part of the yogic lifestyle. A natural diet is based on seasonal, local, fresh, light, nutritional food such as fruit, grains, nuts, seeds, legumes and vegetables. It keeps the body lean and limber and the mind clear and sharp as well as protecting life and the environment. A pure and moderated diet is the best possible guarantee of physical and mental health bringing harmony and vitality to both body and mind.

POSITIVE THINKING AND MEDITATION
(Vedanta and Dhyana)

Yoga teaches us that our thoughts are the real cause behind our success and happiness. When we harbour negative thoughts our mind becomes agitated and restless, our actions disturbed and unbalanced. Thoughts of worry and fear are destructive to ourselves and those around us. Opposite thoughts of cheerfulness, joy and courage heal and soothe. They improve our efficiency and increase our mental power. Through various methods of controlling our own thoughts, including the powerful technique of meditation and through vedantic studies, we are led to inner peace, integration and harmony.