The Benefit Of Yoga

           The benefit of yoga

   Yoga and Benefits Yoga is generally defined as a Hindu discipline that helps to unite the body and mind. It aims to achieve a state of perfect spiritual insight and peace, and is most commonly practiced in the West as a physical exercise practiced as part of a discipline.

  The benefit of practicing yoga is nothing new. It has been recognized for many years as the perfect discipline to help achieve peace, better health and a longer life.

   Many people see the benefit of yoga as some strange discipline that involves yogis contorted in unnatural positions, performing strange bodily actions, and living on top of a mountain somewhere in India. I personally remember a TV documentary many years ago that featured a yogi who had his tongue cut open and was using it to clean his sinuses! Anyone interested in yoga has probably also seen pictures of yogis supporting large weights with their genitalia.

In this modern age, much has been learned about the benefits of yoga. Practitioners of yoga achieve greater mobility, longer life and inner happiness through their art. Yoga as we know it today is focused on the unification of mind, body and spirit. The mysticism of the Hindu discipline is no longer a myth and is attainable by anyone willing to learn.

Yoga practice is roughly divided into three categories – yoga poses (asanas), yoga breathing (pranayama) and meditation. These categories include physiological, psychological, and biochemical effects. In addition, the doctors compared these results with the Western practices of jogging, aerobic exercise and weight training and found the results comparable.

The most popular style of yoga in the West today is Hatha yoga. It is designed to focus on a person's physical well-being, and believers in the practice view the body as an instrument of the spirit.

Ananda yoga, a classical style of hatha yoga, uses asana and pranayama to awaken, experience and take control of the subtle energies in the body, focusing on the energies of the seven chakras.

Anusara (a-nu-SAR-a) yoga is defined as "entering the flow of divine will", "following your heart" and "moving with the flow of divine will". Developed by John Friend, this new style is defined as "yoga poses that flow from the heart." It is heart-centered, spiritually inspiring, and based on a deep knowledge of external and internal alignment of the body. It is based on the principles of hatha yoga and biochemical practices. Students of this discipline base their practice on stance, action and alignment.

Ashtanga yoga could be the perfect yoga for those looking for a serious workout. Ashtanga was developed by K. Pattabhi Jois and is very physically demanding. A series of flows that move quickly from one position to another are used to build strength, flexibility and endurance. This style is not suitable for the beginner exerciser as it requires 6 sets of difficulty. The physical demands of Ashtanga are not for the average practitioner new to yoga fitness.

Bikram yoga, named after its founder Bikram Choudhury, is practiced in a room with temperatures up to 100 degrees. Twenty-six asanas are performed in a typical session and the emphasis is on warming up and stretching the muscles, ligaments and tendons. Each pose is accompanied by Kapalabhati breath, "breath of fire". Practicing this style promotes cleansing of the body, release of toxins and maximum flexibility. One must be in very good physical condition to practice bikram yoga.