We are living in increasingly stressful times and Hatha yoga, practised in its classical form at the Indian Cultural Centre, is an effective way of dealing with the stresses of life. The benefits of yoga range from improving balance, increasing flexibility, improving joint health, nourishing intervertebral disks to relaxing the nervous system and improving psychological health. Several scientific studies have been conducted on the benefits of yoga showing that for instance anxiety, migraine and tension headaches, asthma, drug withdrawal and neuroses can all benefit from regular yoga practice.

Hatha yoga includes postures that stretch as well as strengthen the muscles and tendons that may have become shortened as a result of mental and physical tensions in the body. Through regular yoga practice you will renergise, revitalise and rejuvenate body and mind.

QUESTIONS THAT PEOPLE FREQUENTLY ASK ABOUT YOGA

What is yoga?
In a nutshell, yoga is a set of gentle stretching and balancing exercises designed to bring about flexibility and strength to the entire body.

What are the benefits of yoga and breathing exercises?
Below are just a few of the benefits of yoga:

Increased vitality	Relieves back problems
Pulse rate decreases	Improved concentration
Improved posture	Strength and resilience increase
Increased endurance	Energy levels increase
Mood improves and subjective well-being increases	Excretory functions improve, relieves constipation
Sleep improves	Anxiety and depression decrease
Eye-hand coordination improves	Balance improves
Helps to deal with post-traumatic stress	Combats fatigue
Attention improves	Memory improves
Respiratory efficiency increases	Decreases nightmares

Is yoga a religion?
Yoga has no connection with religious beliefs and does not preach a specific doctrine, and therefore is not a religion.

Can anyone do yoga?
Yes, yoga is for everyone. Yoga is not competitive and everyone progresses at their own pace. Even people with heart disease can benefit from yoga. (Dean Ornish, a well-known cardiologist in America, showed the world in 1990 that a low-stress lifestyle of yoga and low-fat food could actually reverse the effects of heart disease.)

Is special equipment required?
Nothing more than comfortable clothes (tracksuit pants, or shorts, and a T-shirt) and a towel or mat for the floor exercises.

Who is your teacher?
Yvonne Pawlowski has been teaching at our Centre since 2001 and has been trained by Yoga Guru Dinesh Sharma from New Delhi. She has also completed a Certificate in Exercise Science from HFPA and an Honours degree in Psychology (Wits).

Comments from people who have been practising yoga at the ICC:

Female, 47 years old, nuclear medicine radiographer: Thanks for providing the hour of sanity in my hectic life.

Christine, 25 years old, statistician: Before yoga I felt tired, afterwards felt rejuvenated. More relaxed at night & easier to fall asleep.

A Male banker: Feel refreshed and focused after a yoga session.

A Female pensioner: Yoga makes me feel fit and healthy, if I don’t do it, I miss it! Not only that, it helps my mental outlook too. For a while I can face anything and life seems great. I have done yoga for a few years now and I do feel I have improved. I have become more supple in my movements and can bend much better and movement in daily life has become easier. I am sure I feel trimmer too. Also I have become more conscious of my breathing and I am able to relax when I cannot go to sleep.

Male, 31 years old, engineer: I have never been a yoga person. Thought the gym was a better place to get a good workout. This is my first attempt at yoga. And I must admit, it is much better than spending an hour in the gym. An hour of yoga practice makes me feel warm, loose, relaxed and calm. And the best part is none of those aches and pains and sweat that is usually part of a gym routine. I am glad to be part of this yoga programme, and I think you are doing a great job of teaching and spreading this practice.

Female, 61 years old: I love yoga, it has changed my outlook on life. My back has improved a lot with the exercise and the breathing is wonderful, it keeps me young. Thank you very much for all the wonderful sessions. I cannot do everything but I am getting better!