As winter approaches, yoga can provide the ideal refuge from the frantic activities of the holidays. We wanted to find out more about the Zenned-out sport so we caught up with Yogi Jonathan Woetzel from Y+ Yoga Center. He told us a little bit more about his yoga experiences and all about the benefits of doing daily downward facing dogs.

What type of yoga do you do?
Bikram, flow, yin and, when I feel brave, Ashtanga.

What are the differences between those styles?
Bikram is good for your health and concentration as the postures are constant, allowing you to focus on the posture itself. Flow uses more varied positions, though there is always a point of challenge. Yin is for when you need to stretch out the muscles, especially at the end of the day. Ashtanga is Bikram squared.

What’s your favorite pose?
The revolved half moon. In this pose you put one foot forward, lean forward, put the opposite hand to the floor in front of the foot, lift the other foot up straight to the back, lift the other hand straight up, twist and look up! I like this one because it stretches muscles that need it, it’s energetic, it requires concentration to maintain and I can do it!

What is the hardest position you can get yourself into?
I have managed a headstand on occasion but find this still to be a challenge. Bakasana, a forward tilting crouch where your hands are on the floor and your knees are in the air, is also something I can do once in a while.

What are the benefits of the sport?
I like yoga because it is an hour or two in the day when I do something for myself. Physically, I am also a much healthier person than I was four years ago, when I first started. I’ve lost weight and enhanced my core strength and muscle tone. And, mentally, I find it’s a good way to develop my powers of concentration and engagement with myself. Having mind and body in the same place is a good thing for me. After yoga, I enjoy being able to share my general sense of well-being with others as well, particularly my kids.

Are you a yoga devotee? Where do you go in Shanghai to practice this Zenned-out sport?