Yoga
Yoga is a physical,
mental and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of
yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect
spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on the Supersoul. The word
is associated with meditative practices in Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism.
Within Hindu philosophy, the word yoga is used to refer to one of the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy. Yoga in this sense is based on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and is also known as Rāja Yoga to distinguish it from later schools. Patanjali's system is discussed and elaborated upon in many classical Hindu texts, and has also been influential in Buddhism and Jainism. The Bhagavad Gita introduces distinctions such as Jnana Yoga ("yoga based on knowledge") vs. Karma Yoga ("yoga based on action").
Other systems of philosophy introduced in Hinduism during the medieval period are bhakti yoga, and hatha yoga.
The Sanskrit word yoga has the literal meaning of "yoke", from a root yuj meaning to join, to unite, or to attach. As a term for a system of abstract meditation or mental abstraction it was introduced by Patañjali in the 2nd century BC. Someone who practices yoga or follows the yoga philosophy with a high level of commitment is called a yogi or yogini.
The goals of yoga are varied and range from improving health to achieving moksha. Within the Hindu monist schools of Advaita Vedanta, Shaivism and Jainism, the goal of yoga takes the form of moksha, which is liberation from all worldly suffering and the cycle of birth and death (samsara), at which point there is a realization of identity with the Supreme Brahman. In the Mahabharata, the goal of yoga is variously described as entering the world of Brahma, as Brahman, or as perceiving the Brahman or Ātman that pervades all things. For the bhakti schools of Vaishnavism, bhakti or service to Svayam Bhagavan itself may be the ultimate goal of the yoga process, where the goal is to enjoy an eternal relationship with Vishnu.
The physical benefits of yoga are truly endless. This list of benefits is a brief synopsis of key physical benefits that manifest from a consistent yoga practice.
Within Hindu philosophy, the word yoga is used to refer to one of the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy. Yoga in this sense is based on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and is also known as Rāja Yoga to distinguish it from later schools. Patanjali's system is discussed and elaborated upon in many classical Hindu texts, and has also been influential in Buddhism and Jainism. The Bhagavad Gita introduces distinctions such as Jnana Yoga ("yoga based on knowledge") vs. Karma Yoga ("yoga based on action").
Other systems of philosophy introduced in Hinduism during the medieval period are bhakti yoga, and hatha yoga.
The Sanskrit word yoga has the literal meaning of "yoke", from a root yuj meaning to join, to unite, or to attach. As a term for a system of abstract meditation or mental abstraction it was introduced by Patañjali in the 2nd century BC. Someone who practices yoga or follows the yoga philosophy with a high level of commitment is called a yogi or yogini.
The goals of yoga are varied and range from improving health to achieving moksha. Within the Hindu monist schools of Advaita Vedanta, Shaivism and Jainism, the goal of yoga takes the form of moksha, which is liberation from all worldly suffering and the cycle of birth and death (samsara), at which point there is a realization of identity with the Supreme Brahman. In the Mahabharata, the goal of yoga is variously described as entering the world of Brahma, as Brahman, or as perceiving the Brahman or Ātman that pervades all things. For the bhakti schools of Vaishnavism, bhakti or service to Svayam Bhagavan itself may be the ultimate goal of the yoga process, where the goal is to enjoy an eternal relationship with Vishnu.
The physical benefits of yoga are truly endless. This list of benefits is a brief synopsis of key physical benefits that manifest from a consistent yoga practice.
- Muscles become more flexible. You can move more easily in various directions without strain.
- The hamstrings (muscles in the back of the thigh) loosen which results in reducing lower back pain. Tight hamstrings actually pull down on the lower back muscles.
- Posture is improved as the spine is lengthened and strengthened. Improved posture reduces back pain.
- Certain poses strengthen your core (abdomen) and your gluteus maximus (your tush) ; thus, making them tighter and firmer. You will look and feel better!
- Certain yoga poses passively strengthen the lower back muscles, which also helps reduce or eliminate lower back pain.
- The focus on proper breathing brings more oxygen in the lungs to circulate throughout the body. The increase of oxygen enables all body systems function better.
- Using the weight of your own body and gravity strengthens the muscles and bones. Lifting weights may make your muscles stronger; however, they also shorten the muscles. Yoga lengthens them while strengthening them.
- The poses that lengthen your spine help create necessary space between each vertebrae. As we age, gravity causes the spine to compress, which results in back problems. By keeping space open between each vertebrae, the necessary fluid that keeps the spine limber can flow. Space for the spinal fluid to fill reduces back problems.
- Yoga has been known to reduce or eliminate varicose veins in your legs, help reduce crow's feet around your eyes, and change the way your weight is distributed. The body's muscles become leaner as they are strengthened.
- Believe it or not, the consistent practice of yoga actually helps to slow down the aging process. The poses that take your spine in the opposite direction, such as back bend, help ignite this...
- The practice of yoga exercises and improves your blood circulation within the heart. Your heart muscles become stronger over time.
- Certain yoga poses help change the way the blood flows within the body, which is helpful to the arteries and veins. It keeps them supple.
- The focus on breathing in yoga is very beneficial for the lungs. The cells of the lungs get more oxygen to deliver to the body.
- The digestive system is massaged and manipulated in various yoga poses. This assists in ridding the body of unwanted toxins more quickly. Your intestinal system is able to more quickly eradicate waste after doing certain twists.
- Other key organs that get attention are the kidneys, bladder, and liver. Certain yoga poses make the muscles of these organs stronger and other poses help to "squeeze" out toxins in them like you would wring out water from a sponge.
- The nervous system becomes calmer and stress is released. Yoga helps to quiet the mind so that it can function with less distraction. The good chemicals in the brain are released, such as serotonin, to assist in the strengthening of the parasympathetic nervous system. (The system that tells the body to relax)
- Due to the use of the body on a mat and the practitioner doing what poses it can do (without pain), there is no strain inflicted on the body. Your joints and muscles are not over exerted...unless you force yourself to do something your body is telling you not to do. You learn to listen to your body.
- Your bones are strengthened over time and are likely to remain strong as you age. It helps to prevent them from becoming brittle.
- Yoga has been shown to help reduce incident of stroke, minimize menopause symptoms, and help reduce or eliminate anxiety and mild depression. It also helps eliminate insomnia, just to name a few issues.
- Ultimately, the practice of yoga gives you peace of mind as you learn to quiet the "chatter" that is often a constant noise many people "hear". You will enjoy the quiet...
