What is Yoga and its Importance in Daily Life – Useful Yoga Poses

Yoga is originated by the Hindus in India more than 5,000 years ago. Yoga is an ancient philosophical system that combines spiritual traditions with physical movements and postures.  

Yoga has been in the West since the 1960s, and today is becoming mainstream. Approximately 11 million Americans practise yoga at least once a week.  For many Yoga is a lifestyle of self-discipline based on “simple living and high thinking”.  

It encompasses a complete way of life for the body, mind, and spirit.  It involves living correctly, living right. One thing Yoga is not is a religion.  However, it can deepen your religious beliefs, whatever they may be.  Yoga is a way of living that can be practised by Buddhist, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and atheists.

Literally translated from Sanskrit, “yoga” means to “yoke” or unify the body, mind, and spirit.  While there are many styles of yoga (Sivananda, Iyengar, Kundalini, Kripalu, Astanga, Kripalu, Bikram, etc.), they are all Hatha Yoga, which incorporates a series of postures known as “asanas”.  Asanas are practised in conjunction with pranayama (controlled breathing) and mediation.  It also is said to have a protective or healing effect on all your internal organs and entire body. 

Asanas are designed to promote a state of well-being and good health.  They rejuvenate and balance the entire body.  Yoga can be practised by anyone of any age, sex, or physical ability.  (However, if you do have physical limitations, you should consult your physician prior to attending class.)  

Unlike other forms of exercise which strain the muscles and bones, yoga gently rejuvenates the body through gentle stretching, strengthening the bones and muscles, correcting posture, improving breathing, and increasing energy.   It will also help to tone and calm the nervous system, improve circulation, release tension, and increase flexibility. 

“When the breath wanders or is irregular, the mind is also unsteady, but when the breath is still, so is the mind, and the Yogi lives long.  So one should restrain the breath.”  Pranayama techniques are designed to improve oxygen flow to the body and to allow us to control prana (vital energy) in the body.  This brings about mental control and prepares us for meditation.

Overworking the body, over-stressing the body, diminishes its natural efficiency.  Rest and relaxation are a natural way of recharging the body.  Yogic methods retrain the body and muscles to relax completely.  People who practice asanas often find they need less sleep and feel more rested.  They quickly fall into a deep sleep allowing the body and mind to rejuvenate.

A vegetarian diet allows the body to reap the maximum benefit from all the elements of the earth.  Yogic diet includes food that is easily digested and promotes good health.  A yogic diet is simple and natural.  Food has a subtle effect on the mind.  It allows you to reach a higher standard of health and peace of mind.

The body needs a balanced mind to stay in control. Regular meditation will help you achieve a clear and balanced mind.  It will help you to become more focused, improving concentration.  Positive thinking will purify the intellect so you can experience wisdom and inner peace.

I hope you guys are now clear about What is yoga and its importance in our life. To stay feet and keep our mind calm yoga and meditation both are very important. We posts such informative articles regularly follow us for more.