Welcome! Hatha yoga is a generic term for the practice of physical postures, breathing and relaxation. All the different styles of teaching, Sivananda, Iyengar, Ashtanga, Bikram and so on are all forms of hatha yoga but vary according to how the postures are combined. I teach the Sivananda method which includes breathing, the sun salutation, and the 12 main yoga postures with variations and relaxation. The yoga postures work on the entire body stretching and toning all the muscles and joints, the spine, skeletal and nervous system and internal organs keeping the body and mind in optimum health.

Five points of yoga

- The yoga postures which work on the whole body keeping the spine and joints flexible, stretching and toning the muscles and improving circulation. Proper breathing - breathing deeply into the lungs increasing the amount of oxygen into the body. Pranayama (yoga breathing exercises) enable you to recharge your body and mind by regulating the flow of prana (your life energy). Proper relaxation - this helps to relax your mind and body by releasing any tension and allowing your mind to focus on the breath helping to relieve any fears and worries. Proper diet - a balanced and nourishing diet helps to keep the body healthy and the mind calmer and more able to fight disease. Positive thinking and meditation - by practising all of the above principles your thoughts and actions become much more positive, the mind becomes more still with the practice of meditation which brings contentment and peace.

classes and workshops

Monday - 5.10pm - 6.10pm, General Yoga Class Hemas Manufacturing (Pct) Ltd.,Dankotuwa (members only) Tuesday - 5.oopm - 6.30pm, General Yoga Class(drop-in available) Sports Center,Hilton Hotel Colombo-05,2,Sir Chittampalam A Gardiner Mawatha Wednesday - 9.00am - 10.30am. General Yoga Class(drop-in available) Perera Stors, Kanuwana, Ja Ela, Sri Lanka Thursday - 5.10pm - 6.10pm, General Yoga Class Hemas Manufacturing (Pct) Ltd.,Dankotuwa (members only) Saterday - 9.00am - 10.30am.General Yoga Class(drop-in available) Perera Stors, Kanuwana, Ja Ela, Sri Lanka

Sun Salutation

SUN SALUTATION (Surya Namaskara) The sun salutation is an excellent warm up exercise working on promoting flexibility in the body and gives a range of vertebral movements to the spine. It is not an asana but a series of gentle flowing movements in rhythm with the breath. Strengthens & stretches all the major muscle groups of the body. Improves intake & flow of oxygen. Stimulates the respiratory system. Brings a feeling of warmth & energy to the whole body. Nerves are gently toned & allowed to relax. Concentration is enhanced. SHOULDER STAND (Sarvangasana) The shoulder stand is said to benefit all parts of the body, hence its Sanskrit name which comes from 'sarvanga' meaning 'all parts'.Strengthens respiratory & circulatory systems. Heart & brain receive a rich supply of nutrients. Relief from varicose veins. Improves memory and the senses. Massages thyroid and parathyroid glands. Responsible for metabolism control regulating hormones, bone tissue growth & maintaining calcium levels PLOUGH (Halasana) Forward bending position. Relieves tension. Stretches the spine. Relieves insomnia. FISH (Matsyasana) Counter pose to the shoulder stand , the fish gives a backward stretch to the thoracic and cervical regions of the spine. Natural massaging of the spine. Increases lung capacity. Relieves asthma.

FORWARD BEND (pashchimottanasana) Our spines often become compressed due to spending most of our time in an upright position. The forward bend helps to keep the spine flexible. Invigorates internal organs. Reduces body fat. Regulates intestines & pancreas. Invigorates the nervous system. COBRA (Bhujangasana) In the cobra position the upper body is curling up and back resembling the snake. Gently arching the spine in this way works on the flexibility of the lower back. Flexibility of the spine. Ovaries & uterus are toned. Massages internal organs. BOW (Dhanurasana) In the Bow both halves of the body are being lifted off the ground at the same time, all parts of the back are working simultaneously and help to increase suppleness and strength in the spine and hips. Flexibility of entire spine. Invigorating massage to all internal organs. Gives vigour & vitality HALF SPINAL TWIST (Ardha Matsyendrasana) This posture gives a lateral stretch to all the vertebrae, back muscles and hips. Elasticity of the spine increases. Spinal ligaments receive a rich supply of blood. Relieves lower back pain. Joints become active. STANDING FORWARD BEND (PadaHastasana) This posture has many of the same benefits as the sitting forward bend. Spinal flexibility increases. Invigorates nervous system. Leg length irregularities corrected. Reduces excess fat TRIANGLE (Trikonasana) Tones spinal nerves. Improves hip flexibility.