Yoga for Physical and Mental Health

SPORTS Yoga for Physical and Mental Health

Since 2019, Nathalie has been leading Hatha Flow and Yin Yang yoga classes at the Swiss Club. She shares the highlights of her journey here, along with a description of the two types of yoga she teaches and their respective benefits.

After Nathalie took up yoga in 2009, it quickly became her passion. Noting its profoundly positive impact on her physical and mental health, which saw her become calmer and more balanced, she decided to become a yoga instructor. She continues to grow her knowledge by attending various courses and workshops on yoga, meditation, mindfulness and sound healing.

YIN YANG YOGA – FOR BALANCING ENERGY, FLEXIBILITY AND STRENGTH

Yin yang yoga blends two styles of yoga in one practice. It brings together the benefits of passively holding yoga poses with more dynamic sequences and standing postures.

Yin and yang are the Taoist concepts which describe the two relative qualities present in everything. Yin is more internal, passive, cooling and downward, while yang is more external, dynamic, warming and upward. When applied to yoga, yin yoga is a slower practice where poses are passively held for longer, working on the deep, dense (yin) connective tissues and joints in the body. On the other hand, yang yoga refers to a more active practice working on the (yang) muscles and blood flow, thus building strength, stamina and flexibility.

HATHA FLOW – FOR SYNCHRONISING BREATHING WITH MOVEMENT

Hatha yoga is a powerful and transformative practice of postures (asanas), breath (pranayama), gestures (mudras), locks (bandhas) and meditation sounds (nadausandhana), integrated into a cleansing process (shat kriyas). It aims to magnify the physiological functions of the body in order to attain mental stability before the realisation of spiritual goals.

The word ‘hatha’ comes from the Sanskrit terms ‘ha’ and ‘tha’, meaning ‘sun’ and ‘moon’. Hence hatha yoga is the science of balancing the solar-lunar opposites that exist within each of us, for a more intimate connection to the self. It helps to build flexibility and mobility, maintain healthy joints, stimulate the immune system and improve sleep quality.

CALM BEFORE MEDITATION

All yoga practices aim to help the practitioner attain calm and facilitate a free flow of breath and prana, in preparation for meditation.

During these challenging times, yoga can stengthen your immunity and help you stay calm and focused. Why not give it a go?

SCHEDULE OF YOGA CLASSES

Nathalie looks forward to meeting you on the mat at the Swiss Club, under the cover by the paddle area.

Monday Friday Saturday 8.30am Yin Yang 8.30am Hatha Flow 9am Hatha Flow

Article and photos courtesy of Nathalie Sofia, Yoga Library Pte Ltd