IMPORTANCE YOGA

YOGA

“Yoga” is a Sanskrit word that comes from the root-word yuj that means “to join.” Yoga, then, is both union and the means to union. What do we join through yoga? Two eternal beings: God, the Infinite Being, and the individual spirit that is finite being. In essence they are one, and according to yogic philosophy all spirits originally dwelt in consciousness of that oneness. But in the descent into the material world for the purpose of evolving and extending its scope of consciousness, the individual spirit has lost both its awareness of that eternal union and the capacity to manifest the union on a practical level. Through yoga, however, that lost consciousness can be regained and made manifest in the individual spirit’s practical life sphere. Regarding this, a yogi-adept of the twentieth century, Dr. I.K. Taimni, remarked in his book The Science of Yoga:

BENEFITS OF YOGA

 1. Yoga improves flexibility and balance

A key part of yoga involves stretching your muscles, which can help to improveTrusted Source flexibility and balance.

Flexibility is an important component of physical health. Yoga offers many styles to choose from, varying in intensity from high to moderate to mild.

Yoga seems to be especially helpful for improving flexibility in adults ages 65 and older. Reduced flexibility is a natural part of aging, and a 2019 studyTrusted Source found that yoga both slowed down loss and improved flexibility in older adults.

2. Yoga helps with stress relief

The American Psychological Association reports that 84% of American adults feel the impact of prolonged stress.

A regular yoga practise may helpTrusted Source you to manage your stress levels and improve your overall quality of life.

It is important to remember that physical practice is just one aspect of yoga. Meditation, breath work, and auditory rituals, like chanting and sound baths, have also been shown to significantly lessenTrusted Source tension and relieve stress.

3. Yoga improves mental health

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is thought to be one of the most common mental health disorders in the world.

A 2017 meta-analysis of 23 interventionsTrusted Source looking at the effects of yoga-based treatments on depressive symptoms overwhelmingly concluded that yoga can now be considered an effective alternative treatment for MDD.

Both movement-based yoga therapies and breathing-based practices have been shown to significantly improveTrusted Source depressive symptoms.

4. Yoga will likely increase your strength

While most people associate yoga with stretching and flexibility, some types of yoga classes can also be considered strength-building. It just depends on the class level, approach, and teacher. This makes yoga asana a multimodalTrusted Source form of exercise.

A 2021 meta-analysisTrusted Source found yoga to be an effective strength-building practice that may help to target both upper and lower limbs.

5. Yoga may reduce anxiety

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America suggests that anxiety disorders may be the most common mental health disorders in the United States.

Numerous studies suggest that yoga asana may beTrusted Source effective as an alternative treatment for anxiety disorders, though several of the researchers suggest that further research is still needed to confirm this.

Yoga nidra, which is a body scan meditation, has been shown to reduce symptomsTrusted Source of anxiety.

6. Yoga may improve quality of life

There are several factors that can affect quality of life (QOL), such as relationships, learning opportunities, health, and material comforts.

For decades, researchersTrusted Source have viewed QOL as an important predictor of people’s longevity and likelihood of improvement when treated for a chronic illness or injury.

A 2019 meta-analysis shows promising potential for yoga to improve QOL in people with chronic pain.

If you experience chronic pain, consider speaking with a healthcare professional about lifestyle measures that may help. They may be able to suggest an individualized yoga routine that could help you manage symptoms.

7. Yoga may boost immunity

Chronic stress can negatively affect your immune system.

When your immunity is compromised, you’re more susceptible to illness. However, as discussed earlier, yoga is considered a scientifically backed alternative treatment for stress.

The research is still evolving, but some studies have found a distinct link between practicing yoga (especially consistently over the long term) and better immune system functioning.

This is due in part to yoga’s abilityTrusted Source to fight inflammation and in part to the enhancement of cell-mediated immunity.

8. Yoga may improve cardiovascular functioning

Pranayama, often referred to as “yogic breathing,” is an important and beneficial aspect of yoga.

In 2019, the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine published a review of 1,400 studies looking at the overall effects of pranayama. One key takeaway was that yogic breathing can improve the functioning of several systems in the body.

Specifically, the research summarized that the cardiovascular system benefited hugely from controlling the pace of breathing. This research indicates that yogic breathing may influence the function of the heart, brain, and lungs.

9. Yoga may help improve sleep

When measuring sleep, researchers look at a person’s ability to fall and stay asleep. Insomnia can affect one or both of these aspects.

Yoga has been shown to improveTrusted Source both how quickly people fall asleep and how deeply they stay asleep. This is partly due to the after-effects of exercise and the mental calming and stress relief provided by yoga specifically.

10. Yoga may improve self-esteem

Body image and self-esteem are often particularly challenging for adolescents and young adults. The good news is that several recent studies show positive resultsTrusted Source when using yoga to improve self-esteem and perceived body image in these populations.

There has also been promising evidence that yoga may helpTrusted Source with the accompanying symptoms of obsession, anxiety, and depression in patients with anorexia nervosa.

11. Yoga can promote better posture and body awareness

As a modern society reliant on technology, we seem to be spending more and more time sitting or hunched over devices.

However, a 2020 review of 34 research studiesTrusted Source found an emerging pattern: yoga improved brain functioning in the centers responsible for interoception (recognizing the sensations within your body) and posture.

Try adding yoga poses during breaks in your workouts to promote better posture.

12. Yoga can help with burnout

It seems like burnout — excessive exhaustion that affects one’s health — is at an all-time high.

A 2021 studyTrusted Source that examined burnout among hospice workers during the COVID-19 pandemic concluded that yoga-based meditation interventions significantly reduced the effects of burnout by improving interoceptive (body) awareness.

This is the ability to notice internal signals and respond appropriately — meaning yoga may help people become more in tune with, and even more likely to listen to, their body’s signals.

The bottom line

Yoga is an Ancient Indian practice that is thought to promote spiritual growth and the mind and body connection.

Some of the many potential benefits of yoga include improved flexibility, strength, and mental health.

Find the modality that works best for you, and remember: Investing in a yoga practice is investing in you!

PHILOSOPHY

The overall philosophy of yoga is about connecting the mind, body, and spirit.

There are six branches of yoga. Each branch represents a different focus and set of characteristics.

The six branches are:

• Hatha yoga: This is the physical and mental branch that aims to prime the body and mind.
• Raja yoga: This branch involves meditation and strict adherence to a series of disciplinary steps known as the eight limbs of yoga.
• Karma yoga: This is a path of service that aims to create a future free from negativity and selfishness.
• Bhakti yoga: This aims to establish the path of devotion, a positive way to channel emotions and cultivate acceptance and tolerance.
• Jnana yoga: This branch of yoga is about wisdom, the path of the scholar, and developing the intellect through study.
• Tantra yoga: This is the pathway of ritual, ceremony, or consummation of a relationship.

CONCLUSION

Yoga is an ancient practice that has changed over time.

Modern yoga focuses on poses designed to stimulate inner peace and physical energy. Ancient yoga did not place as much emphasis on fitness. Instead, it revolved around cultivating mental focus and expanding spiritual energy.

There are many different types of yoga available. The style a person chooses will depend on their expectations and level of physical agility.

People with certain health conditions, such as sciatica, should approach yoga slowly and with caution.

Yoga can help support a balanced, active lifestyle.

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