Yoga: A practice with benefits for everyone

Yoga is based on a series of poses which help release tension and increase the body’s range of movement. Practised for centuries, it has evolved into several styles in the West, each providing specific benefits depending on the objectives and needs.

A traditional approach consisting of classical poses, hatha yoga combines strength, flexibility and concentration. Focused on alignment and holding positions, it is practised progressively, making it suitable for all levels. Ideal for anyone new to yoga, it is an excellent introduction to this discipline.

More dynamic, Vinyasa focuses on a flowing sequence of poses synchronized with breath. This style strengthens cardiovascular endurance while working on strength and flexibility. It is perfect for people in good physical condition looking for sustained rhythm in their practice.

Unlike Vinyasa, Yin yoga involves holding poses for several minutes to benefit from deep tissue stretching. This practice promotes body awareness while improving joint mobility.

As its name implies, restorative yoga promotes relaxation. It involves gentle poses that activate the parasympathetic nervous system, helping to release stress and renew physical energy. Props such as blocks, bolsters and covers are used to support the body in various positions. This type of yoga is suitable for everyone.

One of the main advantages of yoga is its simplicity: it’s accessible and doesn’t require any expensive equipment.

As we have seen, there are many styles of yoga. We encourage you to explore them to find which style best suits your needs and preferences.

As with any new practice, it’s good to start slowly. We recommend short but regular sessions. Even 10 to 15 minutes a day can have a significant and positive effect on our well-being.

Both options have their own advantages:

• At home: a flexible, private, time-saving practice. However, it’s highly recommended that you start practising with a specialist to learn the poses safely, especially if you have any medical conditions.
• In the studio: you’ll have access to the expertise and guidance of an instructor to teach you the practice.

When we say that yoga is for everyone, we really mean it! Prenatal yoga is tailored to support women during pregnancy, taking into account the specific physiological changes and needs during this time.

Prenatal yoga avoids positions such as twists, backbends and stomach poses, while favouring certain movements that leave plenty of room for a growing belly. The focus is on breathing, pelvic alignment and targeted strengthening to support a rapidly changing body.

There are many benefits to prenatal yoga: relief from back, hip and shoulder pain and tension, significant stress reduction, strengthening and stretching of muscles directly involved in childbirth, and opening of the pelvis. This practice also teaches breathing techniques that can be invaluable not only during pregnancy, but also in childbirth.

Yoga intensity and poses should be adapted to each trimester:

• First trimester: opt for a gentle approach and calming practices.
• Second trimester: adapt poses, as needed, and avoid deep abdominal stretching.
• Third trimester: opt for supported poses that improve balance and open the pelvis and hips.

It is always recommended to practice prenatal yoga with a certified instructor and to consult your doctor before starting.

Would you like to introduce your little ones to yoga? Children can also benefit from this practice, which provides them with invaluable tools to help them cope with the many stimuli in their everyday lives. From a very early age, they can discover yoga with a playful approach suited to their development. The sessions are usually shorter and often include games and activities to stimulate the imagination.

Yoga provides children with a range of benefits suited to their development: it improves coordination and body awareness, enhances concentration and learning capacity, and provides invaluable tools for managing their emotions. With practice, children gain confidence; the poses and breathing techniques are especially beneficial for more anxious or sensitive children, helping them to better cope with everyday stress.

It only takes a few minutes a day to introduce children to yoga. The perfect time to incorporate these short sessions is when they wake up or go to bed.

Yoga is an inclusive practice that can be adapted to all ages and physical conditions. Its benefits far exceed mere physical activity, touching every aspect of our being.

Yoga is an accessible and effective approach, whether it’s to improve your physical fitness, relieve your stress, help you during pregnancy or introduce your children to mindfulness.

The key is to approach this practice gently, listen to your body and move at your own pace.