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March 23, 2008

A Guide to Yoga

India's most ancient legacy to the human species is said to be Yoga. "Uniting" is what the word Yoga means in Sanskrit and so we take this small word as having a very large meaning: the unity of discipline.

Students of Yoga aim to nurture "arogya", which is the cultivation of mental and moral advancement so as to better the total wellbeing of the person. Yogic exercise also cultivates "chirayu", which is longevity. Yoga in its whole is designed to engender inner peace and positive, perennial happiness. Consequently, Yoga is thought of as being essential for an individual's ultimate goal in life.

Yoga is really a kind of science that not only affects the consciousness of oneself, but also the subconscious self. Yoga's physiological training practice (Kriya Yoga) when practiced correctly, can raise people to a supra-mundane level.

Yoga teaches people how to live life. It teaches mental control and self-development and brings out the noble in any being, thus erasing the ignoble in any being. Yoga is pertinent to all beings regardless of their belief system, caste, religion and gender. There is no doubt that everyone can benefit from Yoga - the healthy and the sick, the good and the bad, the non-believer and the believer, the educated and the ignorant and the young and the old. Age does not matter; anyone can reap the benefits of Yoga.

Yoga began as wandering Hindu monks sought solitude in the forests to practice meditative techniques. These monks (Yogis) passed on their knowledge with keen students who resided at Hindu hermitages. The Yogis were very possessive when it came to the practice of Yoga, and they did not consider popularizing the technique. The postures alongside the different stages of the Yogic techniques were only passed on to students that deserved them, so the practice of Yoga remained in distant caves and forests and was not exposed to anyone apart from the Yogis and their students.

Developing Yogic techniques (like the Asana - a sitting posture) accelerates blood circulation. Other practices (like Pranayama - controlled breathing) reduce carbon dioxide in the body, ensuring sound health: Yoga presents a wealth of benefits to people.

Many doctors prescribe sun baths, shower baths, steam baths and air baths to maintain blood purity and toxin elimination. Yogis have created the "Neti" (nasal cleaning), the "Dhouti" (stomach wash) and the "Vajroli" (purgation of the bladder, intestines and reproductive organs).

Yoga can also have major benefits on ones nervous system. Its physiological components are non-tiring and also help composure of the body and mind. Almost every other style of exercise centers more on muscle work whereas Yoga focuses on taking care of every part of the beings anatomy.

Yoga is not some "reach down and touch your feet" technique: for example, asanas is an all over therapy that develops ones physical and spiritual body function.

The effects of Yoga are:

- Physical - through relaxing, stretching, strengthening and healing the muscular, skeletal, cardiovascular, nervous and digestive systems.
- Spiritual - the preparation of meditation.
- Mental - developing a tranquil and calm mind, concentration and alertness.

Yoga truly offers something for anyone.

About Author

Javier Melendez is a writer for various fitness web sites such as the UK Muscle & Fitness site. His recent work concerns safe weight loss research.

Source: ArticleTrader.com

Filed under Uncategorized by Articles From ArticleTrader

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