Know Benefit Of Yoga?

March 6, 2008

Gaining the Benefit of Yoga

Yoga discipline has been around 5,000 years in one form or another. It may have begun as a meditative discipline and grew into a physical one or vice versa. The word itself means “union” and its purpose is to break down barriers between mind and body, soul and spirit, self and god.

Yoga discipline wouldn’t have managed to exist for 5,000 years unless it has something to offer. There are many branches of yoga. The meditative branches go as far as Transcendental Meditation with little or no physical aspect. The physical branches go as far as Pilates do without much meditation. Often when a Westerner thinks of yoga, he pictures a form of Hatha Yoga, which combines the physical demands with some meditation and stress reduction.

Basic Benefits:

Yoga is practiced for physical health, stress reduction and for spiritual growth. The benefit of yoga comes in three forms: physical health, stress reduction and -for those who seek it - spiritual growth. There are many forms of exercise that produce results similar to yoga. What makes the benefit of yoga superior is the stress-busting aspect. The American Medical Association estimates that over 75 per cent of diseases are stress based. Yoga emphasizes breathing techniques meant to relax the body and free the mind. Some forms of yoga use the breathing techniques to encourage meditation on the god force within the yogi. These techniques are meant to relax the body and free the mind.

Yoga for Body

The benefit of yoga on the physical side includes increased strength and energy, toned muscles, increased flexibility and posture, reduced blood pressure, improved balance, better digestion, relief of pain, improved memory and concentration. Health conditions that receive the benefit of yoga include high blood pressure, arthritis, osteoporosis, poor circulation, back pain, depression, headaches, and breathing problems. It is also true that when a person is dedicated to any form of exercise and does it consistently, health benefits will definitely follow.

Yoga for Spiritual growth

Depending on the type of yoga practiced and the belief system of the teacher, another benefit of yoga is increased spiritual growth. A yoga teacher or guru can lead a practicing yogi to self-realization and even to the advanced state of meditation called Samadhi in which there is absorption of ecstasy called Ananda. While most Western practitioners of yoga have a specific goal in mind, usually a physical one, the many forms of yoga can include a journey of self-discovery. The benefit of yoga can be the achievement of your goals or the discovery of new life goals

Mat for Yoga Practice:

People who practice yoga use special mat. They put it on the floor when they take part in the yoga classes or home practice. Yoga has special positions and techniques but maintaining it is simple. The common sense thing to do is to carefully read the instructions before purchasing. This can be done in a regular manner - that is washing with soap and water and hanging them in the sun or You can send them for dry cleaning.

Summary:

Yoga discipline has been around 5,000 years in one form or another. It may have begun as a meditative discipline and grew into a physical one or vice versa. The word itself means “union” and its purpose is to break down barriers between mind and body, soul and spirit, self and god.

Yoga is practiced for physical health, stress reduction and for spiritual growth. The benefit of yoga on the physical side includes increased strength and energy, toned muscles, increased flexibility and posture, reduced blood pressure, improved balance, better digestion, relief of pain, improved memory and concentration. . The benefit of yoga can be the achievement of your goals or the discovery of new life goals including spiritual growth and self-realization.

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