YOGA AND HEALTH

YOGA AND HEALTH
Yoga is a psycho-physical discipline with roots going back about 5,000 years. Today, most Yoga practices in the West focuses on the physical postures called "asanas," breathing exercises called "pranayama," and meditation. However, there's more to it than that, and the deeper you go the richer and more diverse the tradition becomes. The word "Yoga" means union. Linguistically, it is related to the Old English "yoke." Traditionally, the goal of Yoga is union with the Absolute, known as Brahma, or with Atma, the inner self. These days, focus is on the more down-to-earth benefits, like improved physical fitness, mental clarity, greater self-understanding, stress control and general well-being. Spirituality, however, is a strong underlying theme in most practices. The beauty of Yoga is its versatility, allowing practitioners to focus on the physical, psychological or spiritual, or a combination of all three.


Yoga has three main techniques:

Asanas or poses

The various yogic poses give your body flexibility and strengthen the muscles. Many asanas are aimed at improving blood circulation and functioning of specific organs in the body.Pranayama or breathing

Pranayama is actually the most important aspect of yoga as they cleanse the subtle energies flowing through the body. These breathing techniques are an effective way to energize, harmonize and tranquillize the body, spirit and mind.

Meditation

Mediation is an important way in managing stress and anxiety. Regular meditation trains the mind to be calm and relaxed; it curtails overreaction, emotional outbursts and temper tantrums.

When these three techniques are done together in sync the health benefits to the mind, soul and body are tremendous.

Benefits

Yoga has many health benefits, the main are:

1) Yoga asanas massages all organs of the body. It works on the internal organs in a systematic manner. This stimulation of the organs benefits us by keeping away disease.

2) Yoga increases the lubrication of joints, ligament and tendons. Yoga positions exercise the different tendons and ligaments of the body.

3) Yoga offers a complete detoxification of the body. It ensures the maximum blood supply to various parts of the body, which helps in the flushing out of toxins from all over the body.

4) Yoga exercises strengthen the nervous system through its non-tiring physiological asanas.

5) Yoga breathing exercises and meditations develop parts of the brain that are normally dormant.

Conditions Benefited By Yoga

Though yoga has a beneficiary effect on all ailments, the ailments mentioned below have specially been helped by yogic practices,

• Acid Stomach

• Addictions

• Asthma

• Backache

• Bronchitis

• Cold

• Constipation

• Depression

• Diabetes

• Emphysema

• Eyestrain

• Flatulence

• Headache

• Heart Disorders,

• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

• Indigestion

• Insomnia

• Menstrual disorders

• Migraines

• Neurasthenia

• Obesity

• Premenstrual Tension

• Prostate troubles

• Pain Management

• Rheumatism

• Sciatica

• Sexual debility

• Sinus• Skin diseases

• Sore throat

• Stress And Tension

• Wrinkles

Yoga helps to makes the body more flexible and helps you relax even at times of great stress. Practicing yoga makes you feel fitter, more energetic, happier and peaceful.