It
is not a sport but a way of life. Yoga gives one the possibility
of cleansing oneself, renewing oneself and becoming more alert
in one's daily life. Yoga contributes to one's mental state –
during the practice of yoga, one becomes more aware of one's physical
and mental state, and one becomes more involved in what is happening
in our lives.
In physical terms,
in yoga lessons the exercises are based on and contribute to correct
posture and flexibility as well as strengthening of muscles. Imagination
also has an important role. The imagination, which knows no boundaries,
continues to infinity, just as the yoga movements have continuity
and flow.
The beginning yogi
must start slowly and progress gradually to higher levels in doing
the exercises. Every exercise is doable, although not necessarily
physically. When one cannot perform an exercise successfully,
one should imagine completing the exercise – this aids in its
future successful completion.
If one feels that
there are no further goals to achieve, know that there are always
further goals – other exercises, variations, challenges.
One should not force
the body into any yoga position – assuming a position is a process
of gradual discovery of the body's potential. Think of the positions
as an adventure in Awareness. For example, by becoming more aware
of tension, one can release the tension and thereby improve one's
performance of the exercise.
The yoga Olga teaches
is a combination of exercises from different pathes of yoga. The
names of the positions are in Sanskrit, and ancient Indian language
spoken by yogis. There is a Hebrew nickname for each position,
but their use is less recommended, so Olga uses the Sanskrit names.
Working together
as a group contributes to the development of friendship, support
and mutual help. Olga is a teacher who knows how to help us advance.
She supports us and helps us achieve our final goals. And what
are our final goals? A clean, peaceful and aware life.
My name is Bar, I
am 17 years old, and am an eleventh grader.
I have been doing
yoga for 2 years and during that time I have changed my lifestyle,
developed myself and moved forward.
* * *
Age: 51
Professio: Architect
Practicing yoga 12
years
There are two areas
where I experience difficulties. First, laziness – I don't always
have the energy or the desire to work out alone at home. Second,
frustration because of not being strong enough or flexible enough,
or more specifically, because one has to work so hard to open
and strengthen the body.
But the yoga lessons
are wonderful. Every lesson ends with the feeling that good work
was done on strengthening and flexibility, a feeling that the
body has gotten a good massage, and a feeling of balance and relaxation.
Over the years I
have seen real changes in my life as a result of practicing yoga.
Not only has my physical condition improved – my posture is better,
I have hardly any more back pain, I am sick less and have no chronic
illnesses – but my mental state has also improved – I have less
bad moods, less outbursts, am calmer and enjoy life more.
Thank you very much.
L.B.