What Is Yoga?
Yoga is a wonderful fitness program with more than just physical benefits. It also relieves inner tension and brings about a sense of well being and and relaxation. Ability level or age does not matter. Yoga is for everyone.
The origin of yoga is shrouded in mystery. It is believed that this way of life was revealed to sages of ancient India over three thousand years ago. There are many different types of yoga. Hatha yoga is the one that is most common and is popular for teaching how to gain control over the mind as well as the body.
There are five basic principles of yoga. The first is relaxation. When exercise is followed by relaxation it restores the flow of energy in the body and calms the mind.
Second is exercise itself. The yoga postures known as asanas help to stretch and tone all muscle groups and strengthen bones. The asanas improve circulation and keep the body flexible and strong. Performing the asanas can also be a mood elevator, as they increase endorphins in the body. They are done slowly while breathing deeply.
The third principle is breath control. Known as pranayama, these breathing techniques can increase lung capacity. Learning this way of breathing is thought to help strengthen internal organs, and improve concentration.
A healthy diet is the fourth principle. Many serious yoga enthusiasts follow a vegetarian diet, while others do not give up meat and concentrate on eating whole, unprocessed foods. Eating well provides the body with more energy and brings about a general sense of well being and health.
The last principle is positive thinking and meditation. One of the most important aspects of yoga is thinking positively. It induces calm and confidence and improves concentration. Meditation can be difficult at first, but with regular practice will ultimately lead to self realization, which is the overall purpose of yoga.
Most of us spend our day in a constant state of tension. We unconsciously tighten our muscles and breath shallowly. Spending just a few minutes a day in meditation and doing the asanas can greatly reduce this stress and greatly improve the quality of life.