Yoga
“When the breath wanders, the mind is also unsteady. But when the breath is calmed the mind too will be still, and the yogi achieves long life. Therefore, one should learn to be mindful of the breath.”
Hatha Yoga Pradipika
Leslie perceives yoga as an activity for everyone. She has taught yoga to a range of demographics. These include: young children, adolescents at the International School of Geneva, expectant mothers, UN employees, senior citizens, athletic teams and mentally challenged adults.
The original yoga teachings from 150 BC, known as sutras, convey that the goal and purpose of yoga is the calming of mental activity. Also, they teach that yoga is about the power of now, what we often hear stated as, living in the present moment.
Yoga helps not only to calm the breath and quiet the mind.
The practice of yoga:
- Increases flexibility in body and mind
- Improves strength and muscle tone
- Reduces stress
- Enhances energy levels
- Contributes to a feeling of self-acceptance
- Promotes good sleep
- Leads to happiness
During Leslie’s classes, participants have time to settle in, to warm-up, do yoga postures and end with a relaxation period. The level of physical difficulty is adapted to meet the needs of the group.