Yoga Your Way to Physical and Mental Fitness
Although many consider it simply an exercise fad, the practice of yoga has helped thousands of people improve their physical and mental state. Remember the golden rule of never judging a book by its cover; if you think yoga is all about bending over and breathing and nothing else, think again.
The history of yoga
The practice of yoga has been around for over four thousand years. Its origins date back to India, where it is still considered a highly valued practice for attaining a state of enlightenment. Yoga as a means to enlightenment is central to various religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.
In other parts of the world, yoga’s popularity is due to its numerous health benefits and its use in association with the asanas (postures) of Hatha Yoga as fitness exercises.
Purpose of yoga and its main components
In addition to achieving a spiritual state of enlightenment, yoga can also help people achieve a better understanding not only of their bodies but also of their inner selves.
When practicing yoga, you will notice that it focuses on three main points:
Body position or posture
Breathing methods
Meditation techniques
Benefits of yoga
Treatment of back injuries – yoga can heal back injuries you may have by increasing blood circulation so that your injured tissues heal faster and by strengthening the muscles of the lower back; yoga can also, in several cases, heal other types of injuries
Prevention – Yoga also has the power to reduce the chances of re-injury, shorten the time needed to recover from injuries, and serve as a regular exercise technique to prevent disability.
Mental clarity and better stress management The calm and deeply relaxing techniques used in yoga will help you have a better state of mind each day at work and better manage your stress levels.
Increased self-understanding and overall well-being. Be amazed at how at peace you feel with yourself when you start practicing yoga regularly.
Better overall physical health In addition to achieving that ideal toned figure you’ve been looking for, yoga will also help you refresh your kidneys and maintain better posture.
Better sleep Rediscover the simple pleasures of sleep with the help of yoga.
Tips for yoga beginners
Consult your doctor Before jumping into the first yoga step you encounter, make sure your doctor gives you the go-ahead to do it. Yes, anyone can technically do yoga but some difficult poses would be impossible or dangerous to attempt if you have problems with past injuries or disabilities.
To be safe, talk to your doctor and ask if you can do yoga for a sexy figure or not.
Private classes or lessons When you are determined to join a yoga class, make sure you join a class whose level matches your own. Make sure you join the class on the first day as well to avoid feelings of insecurity when you see others can tackle new mind-numbing yoga poses. Secondly, choose a class schedule that you can stick to regularly. If you only attend one or two classes every other month, that’s kind of defeating the point of joining a class in the first place. Finally, choose the type of yoga class that suits your tastes and abilities.
Moreover, if you are not the social type, you can always try practicing yoga at home and with the comforts of privacy. However, the only downside to this is the possibility that you may not be doing something right and the possibility of causing yourself harm. The best compromise, in this case, would be to hire a private teacher for a lesson or two or until you know enough to practice on your own.
This content is published for informational purposes only and cannot replace the work of a professional. We recommend that you consult with your trusted specialized professional.
