Yoga 1is an ancient practice which was originated in India. From the Vedic period to the phase of modern India, yogaโs significance is widely known and spread worldwide. According to the Vedas, Lord Shiva, or the first yogi, made this term possible and turned it into a great experience. It was from him that the seven disciples (whom we call Saptarishis) gained knowledge and went to different places in the country to teach this practice and religious experience to others.
One among them came to South India โ Agasthya Muni. But it is said that the father of yoga was the Great Maharshi, Pathanjali, who has summarized one type of yoga, i.e., Ashtanga Yoga, in his work โYoga Darshan.โ The debate about the origin of yoga in India continues, but it significantly impacts everyone, irrespective of who started it.
Yoga
Today, yoga is considered and practiced only for health purposes. Still, previously, it was a stepping stone to reach the โultimate state,โ the supreme of oneself or in other words, Moksha, to break the karmic cycles and unite with the creation.
One who wants to choose the spiritual path takes this seriously and prepares themselves through a series of actions to reach there. One who wants to be healthy but nothing else also opts for yoga for its numerous benefits. One can practice for both physical health 2and spiritual health.
1. Types of Yoga
1.1. Ashtanga
Ashtangaย teaches discipline over the mind. It has eight different steps to attain it.
1.2. Hatha
Hatha involves a set of asanas in which we use different body postures to attain the breathโs correctness.
1.3. Bhakti
Bhaktiย is one that involves devotion to reach the ultimate.
1.4. Karma
Karmaย focuses on attaining perfectness or righteousness in our actions by not getting ourselves entangled with any of the results.
1.5. Kriya
Kriyaย uses the inner energy present in the body to move within and reach the ultimate.
1.6. Jnana
Jnanaย uses the knowledge to realize and reach the ultimate.
The need for it is not only a practice to be followed by the body to be fit but is a science with a vision to enhance oneโs life in every way possible.
Everyone today is so stressed out with their work and issues that they face health problems or mental illness. It gives discipline in your life and helps control your mind and body.
Yoga and meditation are interrelated. Sometimes people see them differently, but meditation is only possible when you breathe the right way, be aware of your senses and mind, and sets a meditation path3.
2. Famous Helpful Asanas
2.1. Suryanamaskar
Suryanamaskar involves 12 postures that improve flexibility and work out for the whole body.
2.2. Patangasana
Patangasana is a motion of flapping like a butterfly, it helps thighs and groin stretch4.
2.3. Ardha Siddhasana
Sitting in an erect position with crossed legs and palms-on thighs and face slightly turned upwards to attain focus between eyebrows which helps to attain concentration and is preferable to meditation.
2.4. Anulom and Vilom Pranayama
Also known as Sukhakriya, improves and stabilizes the breath.
2.5. Dhanurasant
This asana helps increase energy in our body and treats PCOD problems in women.
3. The 5 Advantages
- Reduction of weight.
- Cures joint problems and increases the flexibility of the body.
- Controls Diabetes and hypertension.
- Keeps the mind alert, aware and conscious.
- Improves the digestive and respiratory systems.
4. Side Effects if Not Practiced Under Supervision
- Gastric troubles
- Discomfort in stomach and throat
- Body pains
If any of the above problems appear, it is advised to immediately stop doing whatever you are practicing and consult a doctor and your trainer.
Practicing yoga from a book will be a terrible mistake as one needs to know the asanas and how and when to breathe while doing them. It is to be learned, not to be read.
5. Tips While Practicing
- Do it with an empty stomach.
- Do not drink water in between asanas.
- Wear loose clothes.
- Always learn from a trainer.
Yoga can transform oneโs life amazingly; it improves your health, stabilizes your emotions, and lets you realize your true self. It increases the quality of your life by improving individuals physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It cannot be understood but can be experienced alone as it is an art of living.
-Madhuri Naidu
- Nayak, Nirmala N., and Kamala Shankar. โYoga: a therapeutic approach.โย Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinicsย 15.4 (2004): 783-798. โฉ๏ธ
- Wallston, Barbara S., et al. โSocial support and physical health.โย Health psychologyย 2.4 (1983): 367. โฉ๏ธ
- Ott, Mary Jane. โMindfulness meditation: a path of transformation & healing.โย Journal of psychosocial nursing and mental health servicesย 42.7 (2004): 22-29. โฉ๏ธ
- Estwanik, Joseph J., Beth Sloane, and Michael A. Rosenberg. โGroin strain and other possible causes of groin pain.โย The Physician and Sportsmedicineย 18.2 (1990): 54-65. โฉ๏ธ
Last Updated on by Sathi
I love to exercise; it should be a part of every individual’s life discipline. I was doing compound and isolated exercises in gym. and an intense one. For recovery, I used to take an ice bath. I tried massages and stretching, but still, I was not recovering, so i started to look for an answer, and i found the answer in this article, and i started practicing yog after 4 a.m. bodyweight workout, and guess what? I have been feeling really good.