Comfort In Style Magazine by Yogacara » advantages of yoga

UNDERSTANDING YOGA: Part 01

svetlana — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 17:50:27 +0000

What makes us different from other species that exist in parallel to us is that we possess the ability to answer questions related to us and our surroundings. But this intelligence has somehow stopped us from thinking that to get the right answers, the right questions need to be asked. Today many people can answer how yoga is beneficial for the body. But interestingly most of cannot answer what yoga truly is. Ok! Lets us begin with a small set of questions:

Where did yoga come from?
What is the meaning of the word yoga?
Which is the text that deals with the earliest elements of yoga?
Which language is the text written in?
How old do you think is yoga as a practice?

Well if you do not know the answers to the above questions then think a little!! are you among the thousands people who pack their bags, roll up their mats and practice yoga every day all across the globe just because it in vogue or because a lot of celebs do it?.Question yourself. Is it possible to bake a delicious cake without knowing the ingredients that go into making it? Is it possible to read this article if you do not know the language. Much in the same way it is important to understand the elements which combine to form this beautiful art called YOGA .The true essence of yoga lies in understanding and absorbing it mentally and spiritually. To categorize yoga as just a physical practice is a crime against the beautiful art. The reason for this line of thought is the various mutants of yoga that have cropped up in the recent years. One does not mean that forms like hip-hop Yoga or power yoga are in any way bad but if one does not understand the history purpose and aims of yoga in its simples and generic form then it is impossible to reap the benefits of the new and contemporary forms of it. To begin with one needs to know what yoga is. It is not just a medium to remain physically active or fit. Yoga should be perhaps seen as a key to unlock a world where physical health and mental tranquility are not mere dreams. It is generally believed that the birth and practice of rudimentary forms of yoga predates recorded history but the Indian text which is considered to be the source of this elixir is sage Patanjali’s YOGA SUTRAS believed to have been composed and compiled in 2^nd century BC. The work is divided into 4 Sections, called Padas in Sanskrit, which are as follows:

Samadhi pada: – this section is composed of 51 sub sections called Sutras. This section outlines the problems a person faces in life in the form of evils deeds, material enticements and other worldly desires. It focuses on ways to harness the inherent energies to be able to understand the next section.
Sadhana pada: – this section which is composed of 55 sutras deals with the dynamics of the obstacles mentioned in the first section. It identifies individual problems that do not allow one to reach the final stage and aim of yoga which isUNION.
Vibhuti pada: – this section of the text arrays around the reader the results of constant yoga practice. Vibhuti is a Sanskrit word which means “manifestation or residue”. Composed of 56 sub sections this section delineates the forms in which a person strives towards the ultimate union after practicing yoga.
Kaivalya pada: – this section is composed of 34 sub sections and deals with the ultimate goal of Yoga i.e. detachment. By detachment one does not refer to moral or emotional detachment but trying to free oneself from the pain that one feels after looking or experiencing the inevitable cycle of death birth and rebirth.

So it becomes very critical to know the secrets behind an art that we are following. What is being done in the world today is just a part of the entire process of yoga called “asana” which means positions. One should note that to understand yoga to its minutest details one should try to understand the elementary words of Sanskrit because the translation of a work to another language always results in a residual loss of essence which can make all the difference in understanding and adapting the work to the fullest. For more information about Yoga and its understanding watch out the same space. You will not have to search the internet or read inscriptions for the same. We will deliver everything to you. From the right yogic positions to the anecdotes which make yoga not only fun to do but great fun to read too!!

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Photo credits: asterix611 ( www.flickr.com)

The Health Benefits of Yoga

noreen — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 15:37:36 +0000

Lead a Healthier Lifestyle by Practicing Yoga Daily

Everyone knows physical benefits of regularly practicing yoga, the increase in flexibility, improvement in muscle tone and strength as well as overall better posture. But, this 5,000 year old practice is more than just a trendy workout as it has been called. Its millions of followers are enjoying a host of health benefits. The balance Yoga brings the mind, body and spirit through body poses, controlled breathing and more importantly meditation is associated with a number of health benefits which are medically and scientifically recognized the world over.

Here’s a look at some of the Health Benefits associated with Yoga:

Circulation
Through the practice of yoga poses along with breathing exercises, Yoga improves blood circulation. By improving circulation, nutrients and oxygen are better transported throughout your body resulting in healthier organs, skin and brain.

Respiratory System
Like the circulatory system, a lower respiratory rate indicates that the lungs are working more efficiently. Yoga helps decrease the respiratory rate through a combination of controlled breathing exercises and better fitness. By learning how to control breathing during exercise, it maximizes the absorption of oxygen-rich air for your body which in turn helps reduce respiratory related health problems like asthma, bronchitis and clear the nasal passage and sinuses.

Relieves Stress
Stress is an increasing health issue nowadays. Stress causes your muscles to tense, the heart beat faster, a change in breathing patterns and the secretion of more hormones that increasing blood sugar levels as well as raising blood pressure. The concentration required during yoga practice tends to focus your attention on the matter at hand, thereby reducing the emphasis you may have been putting on the stress in your life. Consistent yoga practice decreases blood pressure through better circulation and oxygenation of the body.

Heart Disease
Several trials have found that yoga can lower blood pressure, cholesterol, resting heart rates and help slow the progression of atherosclerosis—all risk factors for heart disease. A combination of lowering heart rate and improving oxygenation to the body, both these benefits of yoga help in reducing the risk of heart diseases.

Cancer
Research has shown that patients fighting or recovering from cancer who do yoga benefit from a number of advantages. The results of a study in which women with metastatic breast cancer, attended eight weekly yoga sessions and the doctors found that the women had much less pain and felt more energetic and relaxed than others who hadn’t done any yoga. Cancer patients who practice yoga are said to gain strength, raise red blood cells, experience less nausea during chemotherapy and have a better overall well-being.

Back Pain and Arthritis
Yoga involves doing yoga poses in a slow, deliberate manner. It helps reduce spinal compression and improves the overall body alignment which reduce back pain. However, if the poses are incorrectly practiced it can make back pain worse. During a pose gentle pressure exerted on the joints which is an excellent form of exercise to relieve arthritis symptoms. Yoga physically helps loosen all the bodies muscles and therapeutic to the joints.

Menopause
Studies have shown that women who took yoga classes which use props to support the postures, reported a 30 percent decrease in hot flashes, one of the side effects of menopause. Women who took Yoga classes for longer plus reported less physical and sexual discomfort as well as reduced stress and anxiety.

Apart from these health benefits that yoga has shown to help, there are other emotional perks to be gained from a consistent yoga practice as yoga aims at achieving a balance between ones body and mind. Yoga elevates overall mood and well being of a person and is said to help battle depression and anxiety. It is also said to improve concentration, memory and through meditation techniques makes a person more calm and composed with a positive outlook on life.

*Photo credits: Photos by Mahesh Khanna, pikimota, Andreas D., Dave77459 on flickr