Why Yoga Matters

 

Ultimately, the practice of Yoga is meant to connect body, breath, and

mind to create balance and energy. It includes physical postures,

breathing exercises, and meditation to improve overall health and well-

being.

 

While there is still some debate about the actual origins of Yoga, the

majority consensus concludes that it began in India three to four

thousand years ago. The word yoga originates from the Sanskrit

language which literally means of "yoke" or to join. While yoga is often

considered a spiritual practice, it has never actually been viewed as a

religion in itself.

 

Approximately 5 million people in the United States alone practice

some type of yoga, whether it be in the form of dance, stretching

exercise or even martial arts classes which usually have postures and

poses that come originate from yoga.

 

There are many types of yoga, including; Integral, Bhakti, Ananda,

Hatha and many more that we will touch base on in your next issue.

 

Hatha Yoga is the one of the most practiced forms of yoga. It

emphasizes physical postures known as asanas. During these

exercises, flexing is followed by extension, a rounded back is followed

by an arched back, and physical exercise is then followed by some

form of meditation.

 

- Benefits of Yoga

 

The practice of Yoga has numerous benefits including increased

flexibility, strength, and balance. Combined with breathing exercises

and meditation it works remarkably well to help promote overall

physical and mental well-being. As well as the physical and emotional

benefits of yoga it has also been proven as an excellent way to reduce

stress, ease panic attacks, lower blood pressure, help alleviate back

pain, arthritis pain, depression, mental fog and reduce the

risk of many other common health problems.

 

Let's go over a quick list of yoga benefits:

 

- It is known to increase flexibility with postures that trigger the different

joints of the body that are not normally affected in most regular

exercises routines.

 

- It can improve the function and lubrication of joints, ligaments and

tendons, helping to alleviate pain and increase flexibility.

 

- Yoga is perhaps the only exercise that can be beneficial to your

internal organs which hardly ever get externally stimulated during other

forms of exercise. This stimulation and massage of the organs can

even help prevent disease.

 

- Yoga increases circulation and offers a complete detoxification of the

body. As it gently stretches the muscles, joints as well as well as

massaging the various organs of the body it is ensuring

optimum blood supply and good health.

 

This helps in by flushing out of toxins from every nook and cranny of

your body as well as providing proper nourishment to yourselves, which

can promote optimum energy and a sense of well-being. it can also

help delay the aging process.

 

Yoga is also an excellent way to tone muscles which otherwise tend to

be flaccid and weak. This stimulation helps promote strength, balance

and also helps shed excess fats from the body which results in weight

loss.

 

These are just a few of the physical benefits associated with yoga.

Yoga combined with meditation harmonizes the body and mind in a

way that can only be fully understood by people who practice it. So what

are you waiting for? Why not start taking part in this age old practice

and enjoy the benefits for yourself. There's no better day, than today!

 

Make sure you look for our next issue soon. We will be talking about

some of the more common types of yoga and their benefits.

 

Namaste, 

Your Friends at Mala Prayer

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