POLOKWANE – The Eastern practice of yoga has become a modern-day symbol of peace, serenity and well-being and although it is still frowned upon by some, it is embraced by many.
It’s been around for more than 5,000 years and does more than burn calories and tone muscles.
According to Lerato Maketa, pharmacist and advanced Yoga instructor, it’s a total mind-body workout that combines strengthening and stretching poses with deep breathing and meditation or relaxation. She has been a Yoga instructor since 2015 and explained that it is a passion that she discovered while studying toward her B.Pharm.
“I did research on different exercise techniques and I came across these weird looking poses called Yoga and it immediately grabbed my attention.”
“People living with diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart disease can greatly benefit from yoga, since it builds strength, flexibility, and mind-body awareness. It is said that Yoga, can be described as a form of exercise art as the different poses do not build arm strength with free weights or machines rather the poses incorporate the weight of your own body. Some poses, like the plank, spread your weight equally between your arms and legs. Others, like the crane and crow poses, challenge your arms even more by making them support your full body weight.
Lerato explain that there are different intensities of yoga workoutss depending on which form of yoga you choose. Techniques like hatha and iyengar yoga are gentle and slow. Bikram and power yoga are faster and more challenging.
Examples of different yoga forms include:
- Hatha. The form most often associated with yoga, it combines a series of basic movements with breathing.
- Vinyasa. A series of poses that flow smoothly into one another.
- Power. A faster, higher-intensity practice that builds muscle.
- Ashtanga. A series of poses, combined with a special breathing technique.
- Bikram. Also known as “hot yoga,” it’s a series of 26 challenging poses performed in a room heated to a high temperature.
- Iyengar. A type of yoga that uses props like blocks, straps, and chairs to help you move your body into the proper alignment.
“I want people to know that Yoga is a journey and not a destination and it has to be enjoyed. For this reason, one may not compare nor compete with others in achieving poses.
For more information contact Lerato at 082 574 2218, and follow her video’s online.
