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