Yoga is a preferred method for communicating with nature and balancing the mind and body. Yoga is the type of exercise your body uses to balance your diet, breathing, and posture.
History of Yoga
“Yoga Sutra”, a 2000-year-old Yogic Philosophy book written by Indian philosopher “Patanjali”, is a guide to master the mind, control emotions, and spiritual growth. “Yoga Sutra” is the oldest set of yoga and one of the oldest existing texts and provides a framework for all types of modern yoga.
Benefits of Yoga
The “United Nations General Assembly” declared the 21st of July to be celebrated as “World yoga day”. Many benefits of yoga are told on this very day to let the people acknowledge the benefits. If we talk about the benefits, there are quite a few of them.
1) Improves your flexibility
Greater flexibility is one of the first and most obvious benefits of yoga. During the first class, you probably won’t be able to touch your toes, no matter what you do. But if you continue this, you will notice a gradual relaxation and eventually seemingly impossible to simulate will become possible.
2) Builds muscle strength
Strong muscles look more than pleasant. It also protects us from diseases such as arthritis and back pain and helps prevent the fall of the elderly. And when you create strength through yoga, you can balance it with flexibility. If you only went to the gym and lifted weights, you could gain muscle at the expense of flexibility.
3) Improve your posture
Your head is like a bowling ball – bag, round and bulky. When balanced directly on a vertical spine, much less work is required to support the neck and back muscles. But if we stretch the muscle forward, the strain will grow. Typically many students and office workers hold their heads ahead for 8-12 hours a day, and it’s no wonder that they feel tired. When it falls, your body can make up by scouring the usual internal curves of the neck and lower back. It can cause pain and degenerative arthritis of the spine.
4) Increases your blood flow
The most beneficial fact about yoga is that it helps in your blood circulation, especially in your hands and feet. It also helps to get more oxygen to your cells, which allows them to function very well. There are many poses which help in the flow of the blood, such as Headstand and shoulder stand, which encourage venous blood from the legs and pelvis to flow back to the heart, so it can get to the lungs to be freshly oxygenated. Yoga also boosts levels of hemoglobin and red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the tissues.
Types of Yoga
There are many types of yoga derived from the original and have been in practice in our modern times.
1) Hatha yoga
Hatha is a slower-paced practice, which focuses on breathing and basic poses (asanas), so it’s an excellent practice for beginners to invigorate both, the mind and body. It is also called the base of yoga because almost all modern styles of yoga are derived from hatha yoga.
2) Vinyasa
Breathing is essential in this practice, as the movements are synchronized with the breath. There is a lot of movement and variety in Vinyasa, so if you are hoping to sweat, this style is for you.
3) Sukhasna
Sukhasna is a comfortable position for breathing and meditation. This position (asana) takes the yoga practice beyond its physical dimension and helps you get in touch with your spiritual side. This can be done by sitting comfortably on the mat with crossed legs ( left leg tugged inside the right thigh and vice-versa). Keep the spine straight. Place your hands on your knees. You can use the Jnana mudra or Chin mudra. Relax your body and breathe gently.
4) Prenatal Yoga
Prenatal yoga is suitable for both pregnant women and for those who have recently delivered a baby. A safe pregnancy position will not only help you prepare for birth but will help you prepare for all stages of pregnancy, including stretching and breathing.
Vajrasana Yoga Asana: Steps, Benefits, and Precautions
There are some specific yoga rules, like:
- All yoga exercises should be practiced on an empty stomach.
- We should not force our bodies to engage in yoga beyond its limits.
- Do not practice yoga during the heat.
- You should always wear loose clothing to allow your skin to breathe.
- You need to learn yoga before you practice it.
