Welcome to HathaHeaven.com where you will find details of Nikki Bates' Hatha Yoga classes held in Oliva, the Northern Costa Blanca region of Spain's beautiful, mediterranean coast.
Yoga is the science of right living and its' teachings, although ancient, are as relevant today as they have always been. The goal of yoga is to achieve spiritual growth and enlightenment. Today, however, Yoga´s wide ranging health benefits are well known, hence it is also practised to keep the body fit, flexible and strong, and the mind active and aware.
Yoga means,´union,´ derived from the sanskrit word ´yuj,´ which means, to join. It´s a way of uniting and balancing mind, body and spirit. There are many branches of yoga, however, the most common and widely practised is Hatha. Hatha Yoga is concerned with the conscious practise of postures, performed in coordination with the breath, plus relaxation and breathing techniques. The low-impact, hatha yoga postures can be adapted to meet the needs of everyone, young or old, male or female. All you need to practise is a body and an open mind.
Although Yoga is thought of in the Western world as simply another form of physical exercise, Yoga is far from just that. Yes, you will grow stronger physically; plus you will be more flexible and your posture will improve, but you will also learn to incorporate the teachings of yoga into your daily life, making you a better person, more tolerant, patient and calm. And unlike other activities, there's no competition; you don't need special equipment, and you will be affected in a deeper, more wholistic way than any other activity you have ever undertaken.
A typical class lasts 90 minutes and combines relaxation and respiration techniques along with the practise of yoga postures, which in sanscrit are called, 'asanas,' .
Here a just a few of the vast array of benefits that a regular yoga practise will bring:-
* the functioning of every system of your body, along with your internal glands and organs, will improve;
* from your first class you will learn how to breathe better, to relax more readily and how to cope with too much stress;
* you will learn to enjoy and respect your body, accepting it for how it is today, without striving for anything more;
* your breath, body and postural awareness will develop making you generally more healthy, happy and better equipped to deal with the pressures of modern life
* the teachings of yoga will help you grow as an individual, opening your heart and mind, helping you to look through more spiritual and less materialistic eyes.
If you are about to embark upon your first class, congratulations, however, give Nikki a call on (0034) 627046315 or email nikkibates@fsmail.net before attending, or aim to arrive 20 minutes before class begins. It is never too late to take up this wonderful, ancient discipline. Its benefits are as relevant today as they were centuries ago.
Private, one-to-one instruction is also available. This may be an option if you are new to yoga and you want an idea of what's involved before attending a group class. Contact Nikki for more info.
For more information on Yoga visit www.yogajournal.com
For information on Yoga and Costa Blanca Yoga holidays visit www.yogabreaks.org.uk
Praise and blame, gain and loss, pleasure and sorrow, come and go like the wind. To be happy, rest like a giant tree in the midst of them all. 
--- Buddha
--- Buddha
