What is Yoga?
Yoga is considered an alternative medicine practice. It brings together physical and mental disciplines to achieve peacefulness of body and mind, helping you relax and manage stress and anxiety.
Yoga has many styles, forms and intensities; nearly all of them rooted in hatha yoga, which focuses on developing control of the body through asanas (poses). Hatha yoga may be a good choice for stress management. Besides being one of the most common styles of yoga, it is also one of the easiest styles for beginners due to its slower pace and easier movements. However, most people can benefit from any style of yoga.
All yoga styles seek to balance the body, mind, and spirit, but they each go about it in different ways. Each may differ in how asanas are done and where they focus the attention. Also, some use props for the poses while others don't. No style is better than another; however, choosing the one most suited for your individual preferences will provide you with the most satisfaction. Yoga can be done it home with videos, but many prefer to start out in a class. When seeking a class that best fits you, make sure that you are comfortable with the instructor. Yoga instructors are like school teachers; there are the ones you can do without and the ones that you fall right in sync with. If your instructor and choice of yoga style are a good match, you will be more likely to enjoy yoga; which will enable you to receive the most benefit from it.
If you have any concerns about your health or fitness, consult your physician, qualified health practitioner or yoga instructor before undertaking a yoga practice, especially with these specific health problems: high blood pressure, balance problems, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, arthritis, osteoporosis, back or neck injury or recent surgery, chronic back pain, artificial joints, risk of blood clots, or eye conditions such as glaucoma. Having health conditions, such as these, does not necessarily mean that you cannot benefit from yoga. You may still be able to practice yoga, but with certain precautions; such as, avoiding certain stretches or poses.
Regardless as to whether or not you have any health conditions, you should follow these tips:
- Get to know your body and its limitations.
- Never force, strain, or judge yourself.
- Slow down or stop if you feel: sharp pain, exhaustion, dizziness, shortness of breath, or any other discomfort
- Go at your own pace, beginning with the easier practices first, then working up to the other practices which are more challenging for you.
- Don't be afraid to take a break or skip over certain poses if you feel too overwhelmed. You are in it for positive gain, not to over-assert yourself. There are no laws forcing you to complete all poses. Yoga is meant to be fun and uplifting, not cruel and annoying.
- Seek expert guidance if you are experiencing difficulties.
- If you should develop symptoms or health concerns, seek medical advice.
Benefits of Yoga:
Yoga has many healthy benefits. The main positive benefits being:
- Increases Flexibility - Yoga exercises joints and stretches muscles and soft tissues--some of which often go unexercised; including tendons, ligaments, and fascia sheath that surrounds your muscles. It also helps to increase lubrication within the joints, helping to create a sense of ease and fluidity throughout your body. Non-strenuous yoga positions act upon certain parts of the body in a special way causing everything to work in harmony, which creates a situation where flexibility is attained relatively easily. Many people who try yoga, and stick with it, admit to developing a remarkable flexibility in a short period of time (8 weeks or so).
- Massages All Organs of the Body - Yoga is perhaps the only form of activity that thoroughly massages all internal glands and organs of the body. The stimulation and massage of the organs benefits us by keeping away diseases.
- Complete Detoxification - The gentle stretching of muscles and joints, as well as the massaging of the various organs, ensures optimum blood supply to all parts of the body. This helps to flush out toxins and provide nourishment throughout the body. This detoxification can lead to benefits such as delayed aging, increased energy, and a new zest for life.
- Muscle Toning - Yoga stimulates all of the muscles, including those that may have become weak or flaccid. This toning not only improves strength, but also helps improve posture and balance.
Other health benefits of yoga:
- Reduces Stress and Anxiety
- Improves Concentration providing a better memory and longer attention span
- Decreases Blood Pressure and lowers risk for heart disease and stroke
- Improved Circulation & Oxygenation of the body
- Improves Pain Tolerance for those suffering from chronic pain or sciatica
- More Efficient Metabolism with helps maintain a healthy weight
- Energizes
- Improvement in Sleep
- Core Strength resulting in better posture and overall body strength
- Improves Self-Confidence
- Creates Calming Effect which helps reduce hostility and anger
- Lowers Cholesterol
- Reduces Symptoms of Asthma
- Reduce Migraines
- Regulates Bowels
"The true goal of yoga is the permanent and unbroken awareness of the deepest joy and happiness possible (called ananda or bliss). This bliss is not the result of some progressive path, based on techniques and elaborate practices. It is our very nature right now — and always." -- Steve Ross
Links about the benefits of yoga:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/yoga/CM00004
http://www.yogamovement.com/resources/styles.html
http://www.healthandyoga.com/html/yoga/Benefits.html
http://www.webmd.com/balance/the-health-benefits-of-yoga
http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/exercise/yoga.html
Free yoga videos & tips online:
http://www.exercisetv.tv/workout-videos/yoga
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4628036076291757842#
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