There are many meanings for Awen. It generally means “inspiration”. It is a druid symbol that also means unity and balance, referring to the 3 lines in the symbol that have been said to represent, body mind and spirit or land sea and sky.
I chose to call my yoga business this to pay homage to my Irish pagan roots and feel that the sentiment resonates with the vast and encompassing philosophy of yoga. Yoga means “union” and B.K.S Iyengar said it well in his book, Light on Life:
“Yoga allows you to rediscover a sense of wholeness in your life, where you do not feel like you are constantly trying to fit broken pieces together.”
I feel that this resonates with so many of us who are forever pulled in many different directions and are so disconnected with nature let alone our own bodies.
The ancient art of yoga has long been used for spiritual enlightenment however in modern times people have discovered the holistic benefit to incorporating the practice in their lives.
Benefits of Yoga:
- Increased flexibility
- Muscle tone
- Improved posture
- Calmer mind
- Pain relief
- Ease the effects of depression and anxiety
- Improve recovery from injury or surgery
- Overall improved health and well being.
“We must create a marriage between the awareness of the body and that of the mind. When two parties do not cooperate, there is unhappiness on both sides.” B.K.S. Iyengar – Light on Life.
I invite all people, of all ages, genders, body types and abilities to discover Yoga’s gift. If you feel that you are not fit enough, flexible enough, or thin enough, Yoga is for you; if you feel Yoga cannot possibly be challenging enough for your body or it is too ‘airy fairy’ I challenge you to try Yoga, I promise you, you will sweat and your heart rate will go up! If you are in to sports or weight lifting, incorporating a yoga practice will assist you with recovery and prevent injury.
Welcome to Awen Yoga, on the mat there is no judgement, no past, no future, just you and your amazing body in the vastness of ‘now’.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awen
The Awen Celtic Symbol – The Three Rays Of Light From Ancient Times
arwenyoga.wordpress.com 