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About the teacher Lesley attended her first Hatha yoga class in 1978 and has regularly attended classes, workshops, retreats and satsangs with a variety of teachers ever since. She started teaching in 1991 after successfully completing the International Yoga Teachers Association training course. Lesley has a particular interest in encouraging her students to find their inner peace and strength as well as encouraging them to improve their physical wellbeing. Breathing in the form of classical practices as well as exercises to improve lung capacity and mental concentration is an essential part of every class. The physical work is based on and around the classic postures of Hatha Yoga and each student is given the opportunity to work within the limits of their own physical capabilities. In other words, nobody is forced to do anything that their body is not ready for, but everybody is encouraged. Correct breathing is very much emphasised during this part of the class. Guided relaxation is an important part of every class that Lesley teaches as she holds the strong belief that this kind of relaxation is of great benefit to the body, mind and spirit. About the Classes Each class lasts for 1½ hours and is loosely divided into five parts.
The breathing practices comprise exercises to improve breathing in general as well as classical breathing practices (pranayama). Warm-ups and stretching are incorporated into every class as well as the classical postures (asanas). Apart from the stress relief and calmness achieved, the quietening of the mind, breathing practices and relaxation are also designed to prepare the student for meditation or, if the student is already practising meditation, to enhance the experience. The postures and stretching exercises are planned to give the body effective overall stretching and strengthening incorporating forward, backward and sideways bending, twisting, balancing and inverting. See ‘The Benefits of Hatha Yoga’ below for more detail. Every student is encouraged to work within the range and limitations of their own body and not to compete with anyone else. Hand-out sheets are available for some of the posture sequences and for a daily routine. Extra knowledge sheets giving in-depth information on postures and yoga philosophy are an ongoing project. The Benefits of Hatha Yoga To be in good health means that the body systems are working at full potential and that all functions are taking place smoothly without interruption. Good health and well-being also mean a balance between body, mind and spirit. It is rare to find such perfect body functioning and balance in normal day to day living, but with the help of yoga it becomes an attainable goal. Yoga practices have the effect of rejuvenating every cell in the body. Yoga not only makes the muscles and joints of the body strong and supple, but works all the body’s systems e.g. respiratory, nervous, circulatory, digestive etc. The internal organs and glands are gently massaged, making it a very complete, or holistic, form of exercise. The postures and breathing practices are performed with calm concentration which has the effect of focusing and soothing the mind. Proper breathing plays an important role in improving health. Generally people simply breathe without even thinking about what they are doing. For some this is probably fine, but for most of us there is much room for improvement. Through yogic breathing practices the lung capacity is increased bringing into the body more oxygen which is needed for energy and cell repair. The various yoga postures have many beneficial effects on the body, e.g. the standing postures give strength and vitality, the seated postures bring serenity and calm, the twists facilitate internal cleansing and help relieve stiffness of the spine and the inverted postures relieve the pressure in the abdomen causing the internal organs to regain their vitality. These are just a few examples of the types of postures and of the benefits to be gained from performing them. Many common physical ailments and disorders, as well as more serious illnesses, can be improved by the practice of yoga. Such varied problems as hypertension, asthma, insomnia, arthritis, cystitis, constipation and depression, as well as more severe health problems such as Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's disease have been greatly improved by the practice of yoga. Through yoga, many people have found the strength and inspiration necessary to give up cigarettes, alcohol and other drugs. Proper relaxation is a vital element of Yoga and at least fifteen minutes of every class is devoted to relaxation. During relaxation the stresses and tensions of living are melted away and the body has a chance to recuperate while the mind slows down and becomes focused and calm. Through the practice of yoga it is possible to gain energy, stamina and mental poise and to enjoy a healthy life free of tension and unnecessary stress. The changes take place slowly and calmly, but with regular practice of even just a few stretches each day to begin with and a yoga class once a week, the benefits will be felt within a few short weeks. |
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Email: lesleyyoga@yahoo.com.au Tel: (07) 33783046 © Lesley Woodland Yoga. |
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