WHAT IS YOGA?

Yoga is a life of self-discipline based on the tenets of “simple living and high thinking”. Yoga-Alchemy promotes the benefits of yoga through five points:

Proper Exercise – Asanas are non violent, yogic exercises that provide a gentle stretching that lubricates the joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other body parts. Asanas help to tone the nervous system, improve circulation, release tension and increase flexibility. The fundamental difference between Yoga exercises and ordinary physical exercise is that the physical culture emphasizes violent muscle movement and Yoga opposes this. Violent muscle exercise produces large quantities of lactic acid in the muscles. This can cause fatigue and does not necessarily mean a healthy body. Health is a state wherein all the organs function perfectly under the intelligent control of the mind. Yoga-Alchemy can teach you exercise to purify the body, broaden your mental faculties and enhance inner awareness.

Proper Breathing - Pranayama helps to cleanse and nourish the physical body. Control of the prana (subtle energy), leads to control of the mind. All diseases of the body can be destroyed at the root by controlling and regulating the prana; this is the secret knowledge of healing. In ordinary breathing we extract only a little prana, but when we concentrate and consciously regulate the breathing, we are able to store a greater amount. Breathing also helps to connect the body to it’s battery, the solar plexus, where tremendous potential energy is stored. The effects on the major body systems will not only help you to quickly detoxify, but de-stress and improve your immune system. The person who has abundant pranic energy, radiates vitality and strength. Yoga-Alchemy will help you tap into this energy for physical and mental rejuvenation.

Proper Relaxation - is only really experienced when the body and mind are using little or no energy. It’s Nature’s way of re-charging. Since every action, conscious or unconscious, uses stored energy, relaxation is necessary for good health and peace of mind. Without proper relaxation, the body and mind become overworked and inefficient. In order to achieve perfect relaxation, three methods are used by Yogis: Physical, Mental and Spiritual relaxation. Just as the mind sends a message to the muscle to contract, it may also send a message to relax. Physical relaxation starts with the toes, using auto-suggestion, passing through the muscles and reaches the eyes and ears at the top. To experience mental tension, you breathe slowly and rhythmically for a few minutes until the mind becomes calm. You may experience a floating sensation. Spiritual relaxation comes from tuning into your inner self and completes the process of relaxation. Yoga-Alchemy teaches you how to truly relax, maybe for the first time in years…

Positive Thinking and Meditation - the body needs a balanced mind that can stay in control. Regular meditation will help you achieve this. Your mind will become clearer and more focused and your ability to concentrate will improve. Positive Thinking purifies the intellect and you will begin to experience wisdom and inner peace. Meditation is a natural state of consciousness where the mind becomes one pointed and steady. It will naturally go beyond the natural mundane awareness into the state referred to as mediation. When the mind is fully concentrated, time passes unnoticed, as if it did not exist. When the mind is focused, there is no time. Yoga-Alchemy will help you to reach this natural state of consciousness and give you tools to practice yourself.

Proper Diet – Vegetarian diet. A meat-free diet enables the body to obtain the maximum benefit from food, air, water and sunlight. The yogic diet consists of foods that are easily digested and that promote good health. As well as being simple, natural and wholesome, it takes into account the subtle effect that food has on the mind. Followers of yogic diet find themselves a high standard of health, a keen intellect and serenity of mind.