YOGA AND HEALTHY
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about yoga, exercise, and health.
YOGA
Over 5000
years ago, the Indus-Sarasvati Civilization was
already using yoga as a system to develop the
mind, body and spirit. Yoga is practiced to
bring together the human consciousness and the
universal consciousness. The earliest official
traces of yoga have been found on stone seals
from the Indus Valley, picturing figures in
various yogic positions.
Yoga is not
simply bodily movements and positioning; yoga
incorporates breathing and meditation to enhance
the overall effect of allowing the human person
to live in harmony with his environment, the
natural world and the spiritual world. The
practice leads to enhanced physical fitness as
well as an increased spiritual and mental
awareness.
YOGA,
EXERCISE, FITNESS, AND HEALTH
As yoga evolved, several subsets grew
from the original form to include Hatha Yoga, Ananda Yoga, Bikram Yoga,
Kundalini Yoga, and many others. Although all the styles have roots coming
from the same place, each variation differs in its focus. While some focus
more on the physical conditioning of the body, others concentrate more on
achieving spiritual awareness, and still others, on relaxation and
meditation.
Hatha Yoga is the most popular and commonly practiced form of yoga in the United
States. This particular yoga form focuses on purifying the mind, body and spirit
with an emphasis on the physical well-being. It uses posturing, breathing and
meditation exercises in its practice. From Hatha Yoga, several other forms of
yoga branched off, all continuing to use various poses to accomplish their
goals.
Ananda Yoga combines gently repeated affirmations with posturing and breathing
exercises. This is not a form of yoga meant for physical exercise, instead,
Ananda Yoga focuses on awakening, feeling and managing the energies of one’s
Chakras.
For physical fitness, one of the better suited forms of yoga is Ashtanga Yoga.
This physically demanding variation builds strength, flexibility and stamina by
moving the body through a series of postures and poses in quick succession along
with breathing exercises as well.
Bikram Yoga is known as the “hot”, “sweat” yoga. Like the others, this form also
involves a series of poses along with breathing exercises. The difference,
however, is that class is held in a room with the temperature kept at around 100
degrees Fahrenheit. This variation of yoga is designed to warm and stretch the
muscles and ligaments while promoting a cleansing or detoxification of the body
through sweating.
Kundalini Yoga is known as the mother all styles of yoga. Its focus is that of
awakening of the serpent power located at the base of the spine. When correctly
“opened” and managed, this power allows the mind, body and spirit to experience
complete universal energy, creativity, love, and divine prosperity.
Although Yoga did not arrive to the United States until the late 1800’s, its
rapid spread throughout the nation attests to its relaxation, strengthening and
spiritual powers. Its ability to turn a restless mind and unfit body into a
peaceful, whole and connected being is one of the major reasons it has reached
its current success and popularity throughout the world.
Yoga
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about yoga, exercise, and health.