Yoga dates back millennia. It has evolved over time. To be so ubiquitous, to have endured for so long, there must be real benefits to the practice. There certainly are.
In yoga, we speak of the panchamaya kosha system. This is the five layers of one’s being: physical, energetic, mind, discerning wisdom, and inner peace. The practice of yoga offers benefits at all five levels.
THE PHYSICAL
I started yoga seeking to stretch. I approached yoga at the first layer of my being. The physical. Most people, when they think of yoga, think of the physical and, particularly, stretching. Yoga goes much further than that. My style of yoga is very physical and does not just mobilise through stretching but strengthens students’ bodies. Yoga develops enhanced balance and coordination. Yoga improves posture. Many people’s lifestyles have caused disproportions in their bodies. Yoga works to restore physical balance. Areas that are tight and weak become lengthened and strengthened. Areas that are neglected are brought into use, creating functional strength and mobility.
THE ENERGETIC
The second layer of being is the energetic. Yoga stimulates and balances energy throughout your whole being. People have areas in their body that have become lifeless through disuse, neglect or injury. Others have dense areas from stress or over-use. Yoga moves energy through your whole body, bringing to life the inert areas, relaxing the tense areas, and creating connected wholeness.
THE MIND
In the context of yoga poses and in meditation, we become more aware of our minds and more disciplined in their use. A lot of people experience themselves as their thoughts. Their thoughts are constant and are filled with negativity, anxieties, and notions of not being enough. Yoga helps us create a distinction between who we are and what we think. This lets us decide where to put our awareness in the gigantic fields of their mind. The mind becomes a tool rather than a tyrannical master.
DISCERNING WISDOM
The fourth layer of being is discerning wisdom. Yoga teaches us how to make enlightened responses to our circumstances. It enables us to have critical distance, to not take things personally, to not be brought down by disappointment or loss, and to make conscious choices.
BLISS BEING
Yoga teaches that inner peace and contentment are possible for us all. If we practise yoga and apply ourselves to its methods, we will come deeper into an appreciation of ourselves, a reconciliation with our surroundings and a calm, contented way of being.
SOCIAL
In addition, practising yoga gives you access to a wonderful community of people. I started yoga to stretch. I committed to yoga because it showed me deeper layers of benefits. I teach yoga because of the holistic benefits it offers. If you have not yet, take up yoga. Be committed to the process of your practice. By degrees, the many and sophisticated layers of yogic benefits will come to you.
Hamish Kenworthy is the 2025 Yoga Teacher of the Year.
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