3 ways to celebrate winter with yoga

Winter is a great time to concentrate on your physical and mental wellness.

First up, what’s yoga? The term's derived from Sanskrit and means to unite the body and our consciousness.

Here are some tips for starting your yoga journey.

With so many different styles of yoga, it is challenging to narrow it down to one. Let’s get a sneak peek into what some of the yoga styles mean.

• Hatha: A slow-paced yoga, you move from one pose to another in a controlled way. Every pose is held for at least one breath. This yoga aims to improve your strength.
• Vinyasa: A flowy style where you transition between poses guided by breathwork. It is less intensive than Hatha and suitable for anyone wanting to improve flexibility and strength. Every class differs from the other, which is ideal for anyone who enjoys the variety.
• Bikram: A challenging yoga practised for 90 mins in a hot room with controlled humidity and temperature. There are 26 postures and two breathing exercises. If the practice gets too much, beginners can lie down (in Shavasana ) between poses. Don’t forget to carry a spare towel and an extra water bottle as it gets sweaty inside. The best part is no matter where you try this yoga; it is always the same. Ideal for yogis who enjoy consistency.

You can try these styles at a local gym or yoga studio. If you need some fitness motivation to leave the comfort of your home (especially in winter), why not try a virtual class?

The beauty of yoga is that it can be done anywhere. A sandy beach, the garden in your backyard, or front of your TV. There’s no wrong place or time to practice it. You can access free yoga sessions on Instagram, YouTube, or other social media channels. That’s why it is essential to follow a certified yoga trainer or fitness instructor on a trustworthy platform.

Grab your favourite mat, towel, and water bottle to start your yoga practice.

Now that travel is back on the cards; you can celebrate winter by going to a retreat. You can stay on the beautiful Soma in Byron Bay and enjoy the various yoga and meditation offerings. Yoga teachers can book the space to run workshops.

Want to dust off the passport?

With pocket-friendly international roaming plans, you can venture on a journey to the birthplace of yoga -- India.  Whether it's the powerful combination of Ayurveda and yoga or focusing only on stress relief, you will find something that suits your needs. You can choose to immerse in yoga by yourself or make it an extended holiday by bringing family or friends.

Let’s celebrate winter by nourishing our body and soul with the help of yoga.

Explore to find yoga classes or other training styles that incorporate the principles of yoga on  Optus Sport  or learn from the experts in Masterclass available on  SubHub.