What is Yoga?

Yoga originated in India thousands of years ago and its name means a union, or balance, of the mind, spirit and body. Practitioners believe that this harmonious union creates better health, increases the power of the mind and brings about an increased awareness of consciousness.

In yoga there are postures or poses which must be practiced and perfected. These different poses are designed to increase the well being of a person's mental and spiritual states, but yoga also is a way to improve flexibility, stamina and physical health.

The Poses of Yoga

Although many people seem to believe that all yoga involves is stretching and bending, there is much more to it. Yoga is used to balance the body through specific moves that will increase the body's strength and flexibility. Every pose has certain physical and mental benefits that will be an end result. Some yoga instructors will lead students through the poses and postures rapidly to create heat and energy from the movements. This is known as Vinyasa Yoga and is one style of yoga that many people enjoy. The more classical approach to yoga involves slow, deliberate movements and poses so that the students can perfect their physical body alignment and increase their stamina.

Yoga and your Health

Yoga can relieve stress and tension, and it can also help people combat the usual effects of aging. Individuals who have had trauma or constant stress to their bodies or joints will usually exhibit stiffness, discomfort and pain. This creates further stiffness as the body tries to limit motion and movement to protect itself from further damage. The lack of mobility will worsen with age and people find that they have lost their natural balance, flexibility and agility.

Emotional stress can have similar effects on the body as do physical stress and trauma. When yoga is used it improves the mind's ability to cope with these problems and it also increases circulation, oxygenation and helps restore the flexibility, agility and physical balance to the body. This will also buffer or diminish the signs of aging that are usually noted through the years.

Practicing yoga postures and poses increases endurance, helps detoxify the body and improves breathing and lung capacity. The positive benefits of this exercise discipline also help rejuvenate the cells and joints of the body through proper stretching and stimulation. Proper posture and body alignment becomes a part of life and this keeps the muscles and bones strong and healthy. There is also a great decrease in anxiety, tension and worry when people make yoga a part of their daily routine.

Many people who practice yoga learn to truly live in the moment. They develop a sense of calm and spiritual well being in addition to a more fit and healthy body. With yoga individuals often find that their negative ideas and thoughts are erased, and motivation and higher energy levels begin to emerge.

Yoga will also massage and stimulate all of the internal body glands and organs. This helps purify your body and increase your level of physical health. The many benefits of yoga all work together to bring about a more perfect state for your entire being, body, mind and spirit.