Speech #2 of the basic Communication and Leadership Manual, given at a Toastmasters Demonstration Meeting on Tuesday, 1 October
(Introduction)
Fello Toastmasters, dear friends.
I would like to talk about my passion, Yoga, actually, "Hatha-Yoga". I am sure most of you have heard about Yoga, but maybe only a few do really know what it is.
So, what is physical Yoga, called Hatha Yoga?
The art of Hatha Yoga comes from India, and is over 5000 years old. It is the oldest program of exercises, and it shows how to develop the human body and the mind as well.
Yoga postures, in Sanskrit "asanas", are good for everybody - there is no age limit. No matter at what point we stand in our personal development, to start Yoga means always a step forward in life.
Hatha Yoga is a way where we can reach absolute health in body, soul and mind. It contains three groups of practices.
1. Asanas, meaning Yoga postures, are special positions of the body which strengthen, purify, and balance the endocrine, nervous and circulatory systems. These exercises have healing properties and prevents diseases. They relax, and at the same time activate the muscles. Through the postures, the inner organs of the body are well massaged.
2. Pranayama, meaning breathing exercises. Through pranayama, we learn how to breathe correctly. Whenever you feel tired, depressed or discouraged, do a few complete breathing exercises. Your tiredness will disappear, your mental balance will be re-established, and you will get back to work again with renewed will.
3. Meditation. With Meditation, we have the opportunity to learn how to concentrate, and to calm down our mind. After regular practice of meditation, we are able to contact our higher centers of consciousness, and most people will continue to personal transformation.
Conclusion
Well, why should we practice Hatha Yoga?
The ideal method to cope with stress
is to practice Yoga.
- It helps people who suffer from headaches and migrane.
- It normalizes blood pressure.
- It helps especially with back pain
and problems with the spine.
- It helps when you have difficulties with concentration
- It helps overcome depression
and many more imbalances of the body.
Many healers use Asanas and other Hatha Yoga methods to treat chronic illness and emotional disorders.
To practice Hatha Yoga brings us more well-being and helps us to have more concentration, peace and rest of mind, and balance in our daily life.
It supports our health and prolongs our lives.
If you practise Yoga regularly, you will have a natural balance and inner harmony and you are able to keep it up.
The result is to stay healthy in body, mind and soul.
And if anyone is interested in starting with Yoga, I am teaching Yoga-classes on Mondays from 12 to 1 pm!
(The audience now, under Marianne's guidance, began some exercises, lasting about 10 minutes)