Yoga means connection.
Yoga is translated from Sanskrit as 'connection' and is an ancient practice from India. Originally, the poses (Asanas) were designed to prepare the mind for deep meditation. The movements helped the body remain supple during long periods of sitting in meditation. Today, yoga is often seen as purely physical exercise.
At Studio Tree Of Life, I honor the roots and traditions of yoga. It is a valuable way to create balance across the different layers (Koshas) of our existence: physical, energetic, mental, intellectual, and spiritual.
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The Eightfold Path of Patanjali
In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali describes yoga as a complete life path with eight limbs (Ashtanga), of which the physical postures (asanas) form just one aspect. These eight aspects offer a holistic approach to wellbeing and spiritual growth:
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-Yama (ethical principles): How we relate to others and the world around us, including non-violence (ahimsa), truthfulness (satya), non-stealing (asteya), right use of energy (brahmacharya), and non-possessiveness (aparigraha).
-Niyama (personal observances): How we relate to ourselves, such as purity (saucha), contentment (santosha), self-discipline (tapas), self-study (svadhyaya), and surrender (ishvara pranidhana).
-Asana (physical posture): The physical exercises we often associate with yoga, intended to keep the body healthy and strong.
-Pranayama (breathing techniques): Conscious control of the breath to regulate life energy (prana).
-Pratyahara (sense withdrawal): Withdrawing attention from external stimuli to cultivate inner peace.
-Dharana (concentration): Directing attention to a single point, as preparation for meditation.
-Dhyana (meditation): A state of uninterrupted concentration and awareness.
-Samadhi (enlightenment): A state of union and deep peace.​​
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Yoga as a life practice
I believe that yoga extends far beyond exercises on the mat. It is a state of being that you first practice on the mat and gradually integrate into the rest of your activities. You recognize patterns within yourself, you expand your awareness.
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Yoga changes the way we perceive and it changes the person who perceives. But what is very important is that it can all be gentle, without forcing. We don't need to change ourselves, but rather embrace ourselves by shining light on the dark places within.
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By approaching yoga as a life practice, we can integrate small elements of this tradition into our daily lives. Perhaps you begin with conscious breathing during stressful moments, or bring more attention to everyday actions. Perhaps you notice that you respond differently to challenges, with more patience and compassion.
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The Koshas: The five layers of our existence
In the yogic tradition, there are five Koshas or sheaths that form our being:
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-Annamaya Kosha (physical body): Our physical body that is nourished by food.
-Pranamaya Kosha (energy body): Our life energy that flows through the body.
-Manomaya Kosha (mental-emotional layer): Our thoughts and emotions.
-Vijnanamaya Kosha (intellectual layer): Our wisdom and intuition.
-Anandamaya Kosha (bliss layer): Where we experience deep joy.
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The Yoga Styles that Studio Tree Of Life offers:
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Hatha Yoga
All modern yoga styles originate from Hatha Yoga. 'Ha' means sun and 'Tha' means moon.
The sun represents the masculine and structured energy within ourselves, and the moon represents the feminine and emotional. We work with these two opposing energies and combine yoga poses with the breath to create balance in our system.
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During a Hatha Yoga class, there is ample time to move consciously in and out of poses, and we use props to make the postures more accessible. These include blocks, cushions, and bolsters.
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Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga is a relatively new form of yoga, developed in the 1970s by founder Paul Grilley. This calm, meditative practice is characterized by holding poses for longer periods, allowing you to penetrate deeper into the connective tissue and joints.
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During the postures, you may experience a pleasant stretch – on a scale of 1 to 10, we aim for approximately a 7 in terms of intensity. This provides effective yet safe stimulation of the deeper tissues.
What makes Yin Yoga special is its integration with traditional Chinese medicine. The poses are designed to stimulate specific meridians (energy channels) and their associated organ systems. In my classes, I work with the corresponding element and connected meridians for each season, allowing us to remain in harmony with nature.
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Regular practice of Yin Yoga offers various benefits:
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-Deeper flexibility: holding poses longer gently stimulates connective tissue and increases joint suppleness.
-Stress reduction: the slow, meditative approach helps calm the nervous system and reduce stress.
Energetic balance: by working with meridians and organs according to Chinese medicine, energy can flow better through the body.
-Improved circulation: the gentle pressure during postures stimulates healthy blood flow in joints and organs.
-Emotional processing: the stillness and time in poses provides space to observe and process emotions.
-Mindfulness development: the longer postures invite attention to sensations in the moment.
-Counterbalance to Yang activities: provides balance in a life full of effort and goal-orientation.
-Recovery from injuries: the gentle approach supports the body during healing processes.
-Better sleep quality: the calming effects contribute to deeper, more restorative sleep.
-Enhanced body awareness: you learn to recognize and respond to subtle signals from your body.
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Yin Yoga is therefore a valuable complement to a more active lifestyle and other, more dynamic forms of yoga.
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Balance Yoga
During Balance Yoga, we combine Hatha and Yin yoga. In the first half of the class, we bring movement into the body in a gentle way, as in Hatha classes. In the second half of the class, we invite ourselves to sink deeper into rest with yin yoga poses.
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For many people, this is a wonderful combination – the gentle movement brings more balance to body and mind, allowing them to more easily settle into the inviting energy of yin yoga.
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An invitation to connection
Yoga ultimately means connection – connection with yourself, with others, and with the world around you. At Studio Tree Of Life, I invite you to explore and experience this connection in your own way.
Whether you come for the physical benefits, to deepen your breath, or to find more peace in your mind – there is space for your unique journey. Yoga is not a destination but a path, a path we can walk together, one step at a time, with gentleness and respect for where you are now.
I look forward to guiding you during yoga classes. I hope you may discover how yoga can enrich your life, not only on the mat, but in all aspects of your life.