First thing to say about Yoga is that it is not exercise, it is relaxation. Most people are really turned off by this sentence because the very next question they usually ask is, "well, then how can I lose weight, or how can it be good for my body?".

The answer is: Yoga works on the entire being, not just the physical body. The being comprises the physical body, emotional body (mind), and the energetic body (spirit).

When one or more of these bodies are out of balance, irregularities manifest as weight gain, weakness, depression, low energy levels and so on.

People in the West are starting to realise that we cannot hope to achieve a healthy body by only looking at one aspect of our beings. We cannot ignore the emotional aspects or the spiritual aspects as they are as much a part of the human experience as the physical body we can see.

Once you start a regular yoga practice you begin to balance out things that led you to gain weight, or led you to have muscle weakness, or achy joints in the first place.

Often overeating or 'incorrect' eating is caused from emotional upset or stress. By dealing with the root cause of the problem you can learn to foster a beautiful relationship with your body and begin to nurture it in the way that it needs.

Benefits of yoga:

• Balances nervous system helping to feel calm and deal with stress a lot better
• Improved Cardio vascular efficiency
• Improves and regulates digestive system
• Weight loss
• Increases strength, flexibility and mobility
• Balance and co-ordination
• Increases energy levels
• Improved sleep
• Improved immune system
• Improved concentration and memory
• Improved self image and overall sense of wellbeing

Living Yoga is located on the 1st Floor of the Riverview Centre, Cnr Hillcrest Ave and Conrad Drive, Craighall in Johannesburg. For more information contact Cherryl Duncan on +27 11 787 9704.