Yoga
Yoga is difficult to define because there are so many traditions. With that being said, we will be focusing on the most popular form: Hatha yoga. Hatha yoga with its many modern variations is the style that most people tend to associate with the word yoga today. Since we are mainly focusing on the natural health benefits of yoga, we will not be getting into all of the ancient sanskrit terminology associated with it.
What is important to know is that yoga can benefit us all physically and mentally because of the calming effect that it has on the body. The benefits of yoga are both preventive and therapeutic. Preventive in the fact that it helps reduce the stress levels in the body and increases flexibility. Yoga is therapeutic from the standpoint of injury rehabilitation and also as a stress reducer.
Physical Benefits of Hatha Yoga:
* Yoga improves flexibility
* Yoga improves joint mobility
* Yoga strengthens, tones, and helps build muscle
* Yoga aids in correcting poor posture
* Yoga strengthens the spine
* Yoga increases stamina
* Yoga improves digestion and elimination
* Yoga increases circulation
* Yoga improves breathing and breathing disorders
* Yoga helps you age more gracefully
These are just a few of the physical health benefits associated with hatha yoga. Whatever your age, yoga can enhance and benefit your lifestyle. Everyone can benefit from a regular yoga routine to help counteract many of the problems associated with everyday life. The yoga postures help to release the physical tensions caused by many hours of sitting. The deep breathing helps to increase the supply of oxygen to the brain. And the meditation aspect of yoga can greatly benefit the mental powers of concentration.
Quite simply, yoga improves strength and flexibility in the body as well as the mind, and as an added benefit, it aids relaxation leading to a better night's sleep. If you would like to learn more about hatha yoga, and other yoga traditions, your resources are endless. But an excellent place to start is at Yoga Journal.
The Yoga Therapy or ‘yoga-chikitsa’ refers to the treatment of diseases by means of yogic exercises which may be physical or mental or both. It is a specialised form of yogic culture. This mode of treatment has been practised in India from very ancient times. Many references to yoga have been made in the Upanishads. It was, however, Maharishi Patanjali who in about the first century B.C. gave a systematic account of the traditional yogic teaching. The term ‘ Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘yug’ which means "to join" . It signifies union between the individual soul (jivatma) and the universal soul (parmatma). It aims at obtaining relief from pain and suffering.
Basically, human evolution takes place on three different planes, namely physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga is a means of attaining perfect health by maintaining harmony and achieving optimum functioning on all three levels through complete self-control. Yogic kriyas, asanas and pranayama constitute the physical basis ofyoga. The practice of kriyas and asanas leads to excellent circulation. It also energises and stimulates major endocrine glands of the body. Yogic exercises promote inner health and harmony, and their regular practice helps prevent and cure many common ailments. They also help eliminate tensions, be they physical, mental or emotional.
Pranayama slows down the ageing process. In ordinary respiration, one breathes roughly 15 times a minute, taking in approximately 20 cubic inches of air. In pranayama the breathing rate is slowed down to once or twice a minute and the breath inhaled is deep and full, taking nearly 100 cubic inches of air. All yogic exercises should be performed on a clean mat, a carpet or a blanket covered with a cotton sheet. Clothing should be light and loose-fitting to allow free movement of the limbs. The mind should be kept off all disturbances and tensions. Regularity and punctuality in practicising yogic exercises is essential. Generally, 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. is the ideal time for yoga practices. Yoga asanas and pranayama should be practised only after mastering the techniques with the help of a competent teacher. Asanas should always be practiced on an empty stomach.
Shavasana should be practiced for a brief period before starting the rest of the exercises as this will create the right mental condition. Asanas should be performed at a leisurely slow-motion pace, maintaining poise and balance. Herein are described certain yogic kriyas, asanas and pranayama which have specific therapeutic values and are highly beneficial in the maintenance of health and the healing of diseases.