Yoga is often seen as a type of exercise but in fact it is much more than that. Exercise focuses on something good – it focuses on developing physical health – in fact overall health and wellbeing – but yoga develops much more than this.
First of all let us look at the physical health benefits of yoga. The physical side of yoga develops not just cardiovascular health as in the ashtanga vinyasa yoga system and other vinyasa yoga systems, but also flexibility. This encourages joints to be protected. It is the same for various specific poses used also in hatha yoga, such as the warrior poses, which strengthen and hence help protect the muscles around the knees. Physical yoga also helps lowers blood pressure by relieving stress. Some postures such as fish pose help open up the lungs so helping more oxygen to reach through to the lungs. This helps bring more oxygenated blood to the bloodstream and the other organs.
Yoga hence offers physical health in terms of the postures practiced – but also something much deeper – and this is spiritual health.
When we practice many of the disciplines of yoga, certain chakras or energies open up. These are energies which lie dormant within each of us. We can open up each chakra by meditating, by chanting and by practising yoga postures. This allows for confidence to increase, compassion to ignite, a feeling unity to enter, our communication to increase and all of this depends upon the chakra that we are focusing on.
Meditation is a big part of yoga practice. One of the main types of meditation used in yoga practice involves focusing on the breath. This practice allows for the mind to silence as its focus narrows more and more onto the awareness of the breath. Peace then enters and our life becomes a much happier one.
Another aspect of yoga practice that is not taught in other forms of exercise is pranayama or breath control. By slowing down and controlling the breath, many health benefits are received. One is that of slowing down the heart rate, so allowing the heart to work in a more relaxed way. Another benefit is that we enable the lung capacity to increase, meaning that more oxygen can enter the body and more carbon dioxide can leave. This automatically brings more energy.
Yoga is more than exercise – it is a whole philosophy – an awareness of the soul – its multi-faceted practice gives us teachings on humility and a true awareness of love that allows for a much deeper connection with other human beings.
In short, yoga is not just exercise but much more – exercise for the body, mind and spirit. It is a way of improving the quality of our lives in every aspect.
Original article and pictures take http://www.atrakshin.com/yoga-exercise-practice/ site
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий