In this article we introduce a new contributor – Angela Liburd a (UK trained and qualified) Registered Nurse and Midwife. She holds additional professional qualifications including a degree in Therapeutic Massage and a Post Graduate Diploma in Higher Education. She is also a qualified Iyengar Yoga teacher and Complementary Therapist. Angela lives in Nevis and her involvement with the community is evidenced by her contribution to the St Paul's Teen Mum Support Club (St Kitts) and the facilitator/mentor role she offers in the Federation.

Yoga, seen as a series of postures and associated with chanting and meditation, has re-emerged as a trend that has gathered momentum in popularity over the last decade. What is yoga? It is in fact a philosophy or a way of living. Yoga means yoke or union and relates to the mind and body being in harmony towards a state of peace. BKS Iyengar defines yoga as a timeless pragmatic science evolved over thousands of years that take into consideration the physical, moral, mental, and spiritual well-being of a person as a whole. The asanas, or postures as they are more commonly known, are features of yoga that people identify with and little or no consideration is given to the powerful inner changes that take place as a result of the physical practice.

Knowledge of the powerful affect on self-awareness and one's progress in spiritual growth is another reason for persons following the path of yoga. As a concept, yoga follows the premise of "knowing thyself" as being a way to "knowing God." The reference to God is often the conflict that persons who have strong or no religious affiliations have with accepting yoga. Muata Ashby claimed that although yoga is not a religion, some disciplines such as chanting and meditation that underpin the philosophy of yoga are included in religious practice.

Whatever one's reason for practicing yoga, it must be agreed that self-development and control are positive factors for pursuing it as a form of ‘exercise,' especially as the association between stretching and the ‘feel good factor' is so strong. Research has shown that naturally occurring endorphins (produced through exercise) enhances emotional well-being. The endorphins help you deal with pain on a physical, mental, or spiritual/emotional level.

In today's hectic lifestyles, there are many external stressors that our bodies have to cope with. Environmental pollution, including noise, chemical, and other factors which puts our bodies constantly under attack, has a major influence on our immune systems. Eventually we become immune-deficient and suppressed; the increase in autoimmune conditions is a reflection of this. Being gentle with ourselves and recharging our inner selves is a way to live in a healthy state or regain health if we have become unbalanced.

Yoga as a physical process helps to increase muscle strength, muscle contractibility and flexibility of joints. On a physiological level, it helps to reduce blood pressure, improves circulation and enhances the integrity of cells to perform more efficiently. It also removes toxins, tones the body, invigorates cells, oxygenates the blood, and purifies the nerves. Internal cleansing relieves digestive disorders and emanates radiance and joy. The postures can help to regulate the endocrine system to maintain blood sugar, and assist with hormonal control to assist with premenstrual syndrome, restless legs, fatigue, and many other ailments.

Mental agility comes from being able to focus the mind and eventually meditation helps towards a quiet mind. The ability to control the senses is the highest level of spiritual achievement or enlightenment; the essence of yoga when studied at a philosophical level.

As the mind becomes quiet, there is a greater ability to conserve energy so performance is increased on a physical level. When the mind is restless it is easy to become misdirected, which can lead to involvement in projects that could be energy consuming and negative. Conversely, constructive channeling of energy results in positivity, relative to feelings, actions, and living – thought becomes action.

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