People often talk about the endless benefits of yoga. Improved relaxation and mindfulness, better flexibility…the list goes on. Yet if you haven’t tried it before, yoga can seem like a mystical practice, performed by impressively bendy people wearing expensive workout clothes. People with lots of time to spare.
Far from being exclusive, expensive or difficult, in fact yoga is very accessible, easy for just about everybody to practice, and has many far-reaching benefits that help promote a calm body and mind. In short, yoga can be the ideal solution to a stressful daily life! An antidote to modern living.
Better still, Simply Stride combines the calming principles of yoga with the gentle exercise, fresh air and social aspects of walking – something we do every day – to help create vital space throughout your body and mind.
In just one session, you’ll breathe more easily, feel refreshed and revitalised, and you’ll have the opportunity to get to know a friendly group of like-minded people at the same time.
Sounds good, doesn’t it?
So, what exactly is yoga?
As a form of exercise, yoga as we generally know it has evolved from the ancient Indian practice of hatha yoga. The word “hatha” literally means “force”…but don’t let that put you off! In fact, yoga involves holding asanas (physical postures) and controlling breath, to bring low-impact, therapeutic benefits and encourage spiritual development.
Though widely practised, yoga gained general popularity from the 1960s onwards, as medical researchers began to connect it with heart health. Yoga has also been used as complementary therapy for a range of conditions, including cancer, diabetes and asthma.
Aside from the traditional hatha, you may have heard about other forms of yoga, including the scary-sounding Power or Ashtanga yoga, made famous by worldwide celebrities including Madonna. These versions of yoga involve shifting between asanas more quickly and energetically than at the slower, more deliberate pace that hatha uses.
How are yoga principles incorporated in Stride sessions?
You will be coached as part of a small, friendly group, to combine all the easy pleasures of walking with the soothing and rebalancing benefits of yoga. You will learn how to bring together the body, the mind and the breath to help create a freer, calmer you, whilst allowing yourself that all-important ‘me’ time we all crave.
While combining walking and yoga has clear benefits for everybody, it’s particularly good if you’re somebody with controlling tendencies, a ‘power’ attitude or who has trouble really relaxing and “letting go”! If you’re the opposite of this type then Pilates, with its focus on controlled movement, may be more beneficial for you.
If you would like to experience all the benefits that just one Stride session can bring, simply contact us to arrange your first appointment. It’s as simple as that!
Additionally, if you would like to try a pure yoga session from the comfort of a relaxing studio, Simply Striders get the benefit of a free trial pass at Shambhala Studios, Leigh-on-Sea.
And finally, if you’d like to know more about the benefits of Pilates and how these too are directly incorporated into our Simply Stride sessions, why not take a look at our ‘All About Pilates’ blog post?
With Simply Stride, it’s never been easier to arm yourself with the Stride Factor and feel better than ever…so what are you waiting for? If you haven’t already then don’t forget to book your free Stride Session. Simply call us on 07967 705547 to begin your journey – literally and figuratively!
K x
