Yoga originated as a healing art, whose purpose was to dispel disharmonies of mind and body that might impede an individual’s journey along the path to universal wholeness and understanding. Such disharmonies might express themselves in rigidities of the body or in physical illness, and in discontent and anxiety. Over the centuries, yoga rishis (seekers and seers), finding inspiration and truth in nature, realized techniques to attain freedom from the burdens and attachments of the world while still living within it.
Many of the yogasanas are named after, and reflect the movements of animals. Through observation, the rishis understood how animals live in harmony with their environment and with their own bodies. Through imitating animal postures, the rishis found they could maintain health and meet the challenges of nature themselves.
MODERN APPEAL
Progression comes with a price. The fast pace of contemporary living, competition in everyday life, the pressure to achieve, and the pursuit of social status leave us with no time to take a fresh breath. Too concerned with the future, reminiscing about the past, we forget to appreciate the present. Always in a rush to get somewhere, we drive cars, rarely walk and eat on the go. We sit for most of the day, neglect our bodies, minds and spirit, develop illness, and become agitated and discontent. We then resort to quick-fix solutions such as drugs/medicine with harmful side effects and further abuse our bodies with fast, processed food.
Yoga continues to be relevant because it provides some answers to the difficulties of living in the modern world.
BENEFITS TO YOGASANA:
1. Yogasanas restore natural flexibility.
2. Yogasanas improve posture.
3. Yogasanas exercise the internal organs of the body.
4. yogasanas help eliminate toxins and waste matter.
5. Blood in blood vessels is purified.
6. Power of contraction and expansion of lungs is increased.
7. Yogasanas help balance the nervous and endocrine system.
8. Yogasanas calm the mind and improve concentration.
BENEFITS TO PRANAYAMA:
Pranayama is often referred to as the soul of yoga, necessary for purifying the body. Human life depends upon breath. Short and fast breath leads to short life; long and deep breath leads to long life.
1. Rhythmic and slow breathing soothes and invigorates the nerves, while the senses are drawn inwards.
2. Pranayama aerates the lungs, cleans the sinuses and purifies the blood.
3. Pranayama removes phlegm and gives endurance.
4. Pranayama tones the entire respiratory system and increases digestive power.
BENEFITS TO MEDITATION:
Research has revealed that a regular meditation practice can improve psychological and physiological well being. As one meditates, the brainwave pattern is brought into an alpha state, a level of consciousness that encourages the rejuvenation and healing of the mind and body.
Physiological Benefits of Meditation
1. Decreses muscle tension and headaches (as with PMS).
2. Lowers heart rate.
3. Decreases high blood pressure.
4. Reduced metabolic rate (BMR)
5. Decreases cholesterol levels.
6. Improves respiratory function.
7. Enhances immune system.
8. Increases the production of serotonin-low levels of serotonin are connected with insomnia, depression, obesity, and headaches.
9. Promotes pain management.
10. Alpha and Delta waves are produced.
Psychological Benefits of Meditation
1. Decreases stress.
2. Decreases depression, irritability and anxiety.
3. Promotes greater creativity.
4. Concentration and memory power are improved.
5. Increased self-confidence and self-acceptance.
6. Increased emotional stability as a more positive thinking/approach is developed.
7. Body and mind are harmonized.
Many of the yogasanas are named after, and reflect the movements of animals. Through observation, the rishis understood how animals live in harmony with their environment and with their own bodies. Through imitating animal postures, the rishis found they could maintain health and meet the challenges of nature themselves.
MODERN APPEAL
Progression comes with a price. The fast pace of contemporary living, competition in everyday life, the pressure to achieve, and the pursuit of social status leave us with no time to take a fresh breath. Too concerned with the future, reminiscing about the past, we forget to appreciate the present. Always in a rush to get somewhere, we drive cars, rarely walk and eat on the go. We sit for most of the day, neglect our bodies, minds and spirit, develop illness, and become agitated and discontent. We then resort to quick-fix solutions such as drugs/medicine with harmful side effects and further abuse our bodies with fast, processed food.
Yoga continues to be relevant because it provides some answers to the difficulties of living in the modern world.
BENEFITS TO YOGASANA:
1. Yogasanas restore natural flexibility.
2. Yogasanas improve posture.
3. Yogasanas exercise the internal organs of the body.
4. yogasanas help eliminate toxins and waste matter.
5. Blood in blood vessels is purified.
6. Power of contraction and expansion of lungs is increased.
7. Yogasanas help balance the nervous and endocrine system.
8. Yogasanas calm the mind and improve concentration.
BENEFITS TO PRANAYAMA:
Pranayama is often referred to as the soul of yoga, necessary for purifying the body. Human life depends upon breath. Short and fast breath leads to short life; long and deep breath leads to long life.
1. Rhythmic and slow breathing soothes and invigorates the nerves, while the senses are drawn inwards.
2. Pranayama aerates the lungs, cleans the sinuses and purifies the blood.
3. Pranayama removes phlegm and gives endurance.
4. Pranayama tones the entire respiratory system and increases digestive power.
BENEFITS TO MEDITATION:
Research has revealed that a regular meditation practice can improve psychological and physiological well being. As one meditates, the brainwave pattern is brought into an alpha state, a level of consciousness that encourages the rejuvenation and healing of the mind and body.
Physiological Benefits of Meditation
1. Decreses muscle tension and headaches (as with PMS).
2. Lowers heart rate.
3. Decreases high blood pressure.
4. Reduced metabolic rate (BMR)
5. Decreases cholesterol levels.
6. Improves respiratory function.
7. Enhances immune system.
8. Increases the production of serotonin-low levels of serotonin are connected with insomnia, depression, obesity, and headaches.
9. Promotes pain management.
10. Alpha and Delta waves are produced.
Psychological Benefits of Meditation
1. Decreases stress.
2. Decreases depression, irritability and anxiety.
3. Promotes greater creativity.
4. Concentration and memory power are improved.
5. Increased self-confidence and self-acceptance.
6. Increased emotional stability as a more positive thinking/approach is developed.
7. Body and mind are harmonized.