What is yoga?

Yoga is an ancient practice that originated in India thousands of years ago, encompassing physical, mental, and spiritual elements. At its core, yoga aims to cultivate harmony between the body, mind, and spirit through a combination of postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), meditation, and ethical principles.

What are the 8 limbs of yoga?

The 8 Limbs of Yoga, as outlined in the ancient text "Yoga Sutras" by Patanjali, provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the practice and philosophy of yoga.These limbs serve as a guide to personal and spiritual growth, emphasizing a holistic approach to well-being. 
They are:

1.Yamas
Yamas are ethical guidelines for how we interact with the world around us. 

2. Niyama
Niyamas are personal practices and observances to cultivate self-discipline and spiritual growth.

3. Asana
Asanas are the physical postures practiced in yoga. 

4. Pranayama
Pranayama involves techniques for controlling and regulating breath. This limb focuses on harnessing the breath to influence energy flow in the body, promoting relaxation and enhancing mental clarity.

5. Pratyahara
Pratyahara is the practice of turning inward by withdrawing the senses from external distractions.

6. Dharana 
Dharana involves focused attention on a single point, object, or thought.

7. Dhyana
Dhyana is the practice of deep meditation, where the mind is fully absorbed in the object of focus. 

8. Samadhi
Samadhi is the final limb, representing a state of union with the divine or ultimate consciousness.

What are the benefits of yoga?

Yoga offers a wide range of benefits that go beyond physical fitness, positively impacting mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Some of the key benefits include:

1. It is an active approach - the individual is at the centre of their own care

2. It includes physical activity that can be tailored to promote fitness, strength, improved coordination and can be paced/ adjusted according to the needs of the individual.

3. Depending on how asana practice is tailored, it can improve body confidence and promote self-efficacy for physical activity and movement

4. It incorporates breath work, meditation and mindfulness practices, all of which have evidence for promoting stress reduction and pain relief.

5. It incorporates a philosophy or principles that can promote self-care for pain, self-reflection, non-harming, motivation for change etc.

What are the key connections between yoga and physiotherapy?

Yoga and physiotherapy share key connections, as both focus on improving physical function, reducing pain, and promoting overall well-being. Both disciplines use movement, stretching, and strengthening exercises to enhance mobility, flexibility, and posture. Yoga emphasizes mindfulness and breath control, which complements physiotherapy's focus on body awareness and rehabilitation techniques.

In physiotherapy, yoga-inspired poses can be adapted to aid in recovery from injuries, enhance muscle balance, and prevent further damage. The integration of yoga into physiotherapy programs offers a holistic approach, addressing both the physical and mental aspects of healing, making it a powerful tool for rehabilitation and long-term health maintenance.

Source:
From the lecture 'Pain Science Yoga Life' by Dr. Niamh Moloney