Yoga - An Easy Ways To Stay Healthy.
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Yoga is a way of life, an integrated system of education for the body, mind, and inner spirit. This art of right living was perfected and practiced in India thousands of years ago but, since yoga deals with universal truths; its teachings are as valid today as they were in ancient times.
Exercising the human body is essential. It keeps the body fit and the soul healthy too. Believe it or not exercising helps in keeping your mind stress free and also relaxes your brain muscles. And if the exercises are of therapeutic value like the ‘asana’ of the ancient old technique called –’Yoga’, they can are known to have the ability to heal several chronic diseases too.
1. The synthesis of yoga-Over the centuries, four different paths of yoga (karma, Janna, bhakti and raja) have developed. They are often linked to four branches of a banyan tree, or people, which put down roots from its branches and appear to be growing down to earth from heaven. Since we each have our own personality, we may prefer one path over other, but a single sided development is not recommended, since it can lead to an imbalance in the nature. The whole person-heart, intellect, and hand-should be developed simultaneously, so a synthesis of the four main paths of yoga is recommended.
Practicing yoga asanas keeps the body fit. It’s various postures, breathing techniques and meditation heals the body, mind and soul.
Research has shown that regular practice of yoga has helped in controlling severe problems like, anxiety, arthritis, blood pressure, diabetes, spondylitis, heart problems, stress, depression and several other diseases too. Apart from being an exercise form, yoga is also about a disciplined lifestyle of which exercising is just a part. It acts as a connection between the body and the soul. It is a bridge that connects our busy life with the spiritual aspect of life and brings a balance in our daily routine.
It is best to have one basic sadhna (spiritual practice) or preferred path, but to unite with all other paths is also a must.
Yoga is also known to improve the flexibility, strength and stamina of body muscles, boost self esteem, improve level of concentration, reduce body fat, improve blood circulation, and also teach a sense of well being to individuals who indulge in regular practices of the yoga asanas.
2. Active path-karma yoga -Karma Yoga is a selfless service, the path by which the mind is most quickly purified and its limits transcended.
People who regularly practice yoga say that it is a tool that helps the body to evolve gradually by purifying the body, soul and mind; this is what gives yoga a therapeutic value. Yoga has been classified into several categories since ancient times.
The Karma yogi works hard, both physically and mentally. He seeks to eliminate the self ego and its attachments, to serve humanity without expecting any returns, and to see unity in diversity. Karma yoga is most suitable for people who have an active temperament. It involves working in the world and giving up self ego, working on spiritual level. This is the path recommended by lord shrikrishna in Bhgwad gita. When lord Krishna teaches Arjun in the battle field of Mahabharata, he advises Arjun to follow Karma yoga. The work is considered worship in this type of yoga.
The major branches of yoga are Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Raja Yoga. Raja. Let us now discuss a few popular yoga postures that are easily learned and are good for developing a better body texture.
The Sitting posture / Sukhasana:
This is primarily the starting position of the asana that helps in concentrating on the breathing pattern and attracts attention towards the body. This posture helps in firming the lower back and opens the groin and hips.
3. Philosophical path-jnana yoga-This intellectual approach to spiritual evolution describes the world as an illusion. Using the two powerful intellectual techniques of viveka and vairagya, the illusion, or Maya, is removed. Jnana yoga is considered the most difficult of all the four paths of Yoga. This path demands a sharp mind and an unclouded intellect. This path teaches us to remain in the world but again keeping our selves totally detached with the world.
The Dog / Cat posture:
These are two simultaneous postures that go hand in hand. It begins by posing as a dog with arms at shoulder length stretched to the ground and keens folding the legs with the hips raised up. Inhale while tilting the tailbone and the pelvis up and curve the spine, forming a dog posture. Reverse this position while exhaling and move into the cat posture. Repeat the cat/dog posture few times in short intervals.
Mountain posture / Tadasana:
4. Devotional Path-Bhakti Yoga-Bhakti yoga tends to appeal to people who are emotional and sentimental in nature. Since the emotions cannot be suppressed endlessly, Bhakti Yoga teaches techniques for their sublimation.
This posture is known to improve body texture and balance. It also brings in self-awareness. One is required to stand with feet together and hands by the side. Raise feet up while taking hands high in the air gradually moving the head back while inhaling and retain the original position gradually while exhaling your breath. Repeat the posture several times.
Through various practices, such as chanting, prayers, and recitation of mantras, emotional energy is channeled into devotion, turning anger, hatred, and jealousy in a positive direction. Emotional love is thus changed into pure divine love. The bhakta always tries to see god in all. The prayer pose with both hands joined in a namaskar mudra signifies the joining of the individual soul with the divine soul.
Forward bend posture / Uttanasana II:
This posture helps in stretching the legs and spines and rests the heart and neck muscles too. Begin the posture by Tadasana, next inhale and raise the arms overhead. Exhale while bending the hips, and bring the arms forward and down until they touch the floor. Either grasp the ankles or just leave the hands on the floor and breathe several times.
The Cobra / Bhujangasana:
This concept of union with the divine through devotion, or bhakti, is found in all the religions of the world.
This exercises stretches the spine, strengthens the back and arms and opens the chest and heart. Lie down on the stomach keeping legs together and arms by the side close to the chest raise your head and chest as high up as possible while inhaling.
5. Scientific Path-raja yoga. We each human being possesses vast mental and psychic resources that lie almost virtually untapped below the surface of the conscious mind. To release this latent potential, raja yoga prescribes a psychological approach, based on a practical system of concentration and control of the mind… [read more]
Breathe several times in this posture before relaxing to the previous posture. Repeat the exercise several times.
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