Yoga

The word yoga means "union" in Sanskrit, the language of ancient India where yoga originated. Yoga essentially is a union occurring between the mind, body and spirit. What is commonly referred to as "yoga" can be more accurately described by the Sanskrit word asana, which refers to the practice of physical postures or poses. Yoga is a Hindu discipline aimed at training the consciousness for a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility. It consists of a series of exercises practiced as part of this discipline to promote control of the body and mind. Other people may define yoga as a healing system of theory and practice. It is a combination of breathing exercises, physical postures, and meditation that has been practiced for more than 5,000 years.

Many people think that yoga is just stretching. But while stretching is certainly involved, yoga is really about creating balance in the body through developing both strength and flexibility. This is done through the performance of poses or postures, each of which has specific physical benefits. The poses can be done quickly in succession, creating heat in the body through movement or more slowly to increase stamina and perfect the alignment of the pose. The poses are a constant, but the approach to them varies depending on the tradition in which the teacher has trained. Breathing techniques were developed based on the concept that breath is the source of life. In Yoga, students gain breathing control as they slowly increase their breathing. By focusing on their breathing, they prepare their minds for meditation.

Yoga has become a popular trend in the West, especially in America. Living in a society where people are more health conscious, a lot of people seemingly enjoy the health benefits from Yoga. A lot of yoga classes focus on learning physical poses. They also usually include some form of breathing technique and possibly a meditation technique as well. Some yoga classes are designed purely for relaxation. But there are styles of yoga that teach you how to move your body in new ways. Choosing one of these styles offers the greatest health benefits by enabling you to develop your flexibility, strength, and balance.

Benefits

Yoga may have its health benefits. Aside for muscle tone, weight loss is also a beneficial factor to yoga.  When you practice yoga, you bring a deep sense of relaxation to your body and your mind. As you relax, you begin to ease the stress in your life; weight loss will begin to happen naturally. Being overweight is a sign that your body is high in toxicity. Yoga assists with the detoxification of your body by toning up the inner organs and helping them to work optimally again. Deep breathing is a fundamental component to detoxifying your body. There are specific yoga posses that facilitate with detoxification such as yoga twists.  Moreover, self-massage is highly recognized as a powerful tool for detoxifying the body.

Obesity can attribute to stress, depression, and stuck emotions. Some people turn to food for comfort and relief. Yoga can be used as a coping mechanism to release these negative emotions. Being on the yoga mat gives you the opportunity to notice your feelings. As you become conscious of your feelings, then you’re in a position to be able to address them. Not only does yoga help you to notice how you’re really feeling about something, it also helps you connect with your personal power so that you have the courage and confidence to express how you feel. Expressing your feelings helps you regain confidence about yourself and is an important aspect of losing weight.

Risks

Like everything else, yoga comes with risk factors as well. Even though for most healthy people yoga is a safe non-aerobic form of exercise, it is not without its risks. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, yoga injuries commonly occur around the neck, shoulders, spine, legs, and knees. Certain yoga poses can increase your risk of injury if you have conditions such as:

• Severe osteoporosis
• High or low blood pressure
• Ear problems
• Problems with your spine
• Pregnancy (including risks to your unborn child)

Precautions should be taken to reduce the risk of injury from yoga. People  suffering with such medical conditions should consult with their physicians before taking up yoga. A health care provider can help you know how to judge what type and level of yoga exercise is safe for you.