With the numerous yoga styles that are available today, it can be a daunting task trying to figure out what is yoga. We all know that different styles mean different things, but as far as practicing yoga, it's a great way to get in shape, relieve stress, improve your posture and provide you with great flexibility.
So, what is yoga? It's an ancient Indian practice that was developed by the great yogi, Patanjali. He spent over fifty years studying the principles of Yoga in India and created the Ayurveda system. He wrote the Yoga Sutras, which were later translated into English, and the Yoga Sutras that many consider the first set of guidelines for practicing yoga.
Yoga is not just a way to get in shape. While Yoga has its roots in eastern medicine, it is a complete system that focuses on health and wellness. The word itself means Universal Life Force Energy. In this system, there are seven energy centers throughout the body. The seven energy centers of the body are the Sushumna Nadi (in the anus), the Muladhara Chakra (the fourth chakra), the Ajna Chakra (the fifth chakra), the Sahasrara Chakra (the sixth chakra), the Triratna (thirteenth chakra), the Manipura Chakra (the fourteenth chakra) and the Anahata Chakra (the fifteenth chakra).
These energy centers are associated with: the spinal cord, the physical muscles, the respiratory, digestive and circulatory systems, the heart and the soul. By practicing Yoga exercises, we can release tension in these energy centers, thereby freeing them up so that they can perform their best functions.
Yoga poses focus on strengthening the spine, improving the flexibility of the body, relaxing the muscles, detoxifying the body and clearing the mind. One of the most commonly practiced postures in yoga is the Pranayama. Pranayama focuses on the breathing exercise that allows you to achieve enlightenment and balance.
In Hatha Yoga, postures help to focus energy from the core of the body to the outside of the body. In Bikram Yoga, the postures aim to loosen the muscles, increase the blood flow and increase the immunity of the body. In Kundalini Yoga, the postures aim to access the power of the Kundalini, which is located between the spinal cord and the anus.
All these types of yoga are practiced in a variety of forms depending on the style and where you live. Some styles have only a few postures, while other have several hundred. For those who practice a variety of yoga styles, the exercises can be difficult because of the variety of positions, arm and leg movements and special breathing techniques.
However, the benefits are many, especially for people who are looking to eliminate stress and improve their health and lifestyle. There are many reasons to practice yoga, and it can also be a great form of exercise for those who want to lose weight or get in shape. Regardless of what you are looking for, yoga has great benefits.
0 Comments