Meditation and Yoga
So what is Yoga? That is a tough question to answer as yoga can accomplish different goals for each individual. A basic definintion of yoga might be, a system of developing the mind and body using natural methods. Using these natural methods Yoga helps to improve the person's confidence, discipline, and fitness, which will leave them as a more contented individual. There are literaly thousands of different asanas, (positons or techniques) and the proper ones for each person must be determined on an individual basis with the help of a trained instructor. You will find there are yoga positions for beginners, to more advanced techniques for the masters of yoga. Retreats dedicated soley to yoga can be found just about anywhere in the world. As you do your research into yoga you will find information about clothes for yoga, yoga books, yoga mats, yoga videos, and the list goes on.
Meditation and YogaMeditation takes many forms with some of them being more complex than others. Simple techniques of meditation can be used by most people in their everyday life and helps to combat everyday problems. If you apply meditative principles to the tasks and challenges of your everyday working life, you will soon observe significant changes being made around you. However meditation is not just a question of sitting down and "having a think". To meditate correctly, both the body and the mind should be perfectly relaxed and in tune with each other. Once they are in tune, then the meditative process can begin. Set a Time to MeditateYou should set aside two periods of 10-20 minutes a day for meditation every day if possible, one in the morning and another period in the evening. Try and choose a time when you are not tired, otherwise you will find yourself becoming sleepy. So avoiding just after mealtimes and bedtime is a good idea.If you can get into a routine of the same time and place, so much the better as this makes your meditation much easier and more rewarding. Find a nice quiet comfortable spot where you are sure you will not be disturbed. If you need to, take the phone off the hook and switch your cell phone and the television off. Ensure you have picked a time when no-one is liable to knock on the door and disturb your concentration. You can sit on the floor on a cushion, or on a straight backed chair (it's up to you), however you should avoid overstuffed arm chairs as they may induce you to become sleepy. Your posture should assist you in staying awake and alert, so you may need to experiment to find your optimum comfort zone for meditation without feeling any strain. You're less likely to feel sleepy if your back and head are erect. Many people who practice yoga like to use the lotus position. This makes an ideal steady base. Lotus PositionStart by sitting on the floor with your legs spread out in front of you, then bend one knee and bring the foot up onto the other thigh. Bring the second leg in, either under the opposite thigh (half lotus position), or over it (full lotus). Beginners to the lotus position may prefer an ordinary crossed legged or seated pose.Yoga is not without it's Christian criticsMany in the Christian circles are dead set against the practice of yoga, citing the Hindu background of yoga and claiming that the practices of yoga are designed to have the practioner become one with other gods. It is considered to be another facet of the new age movement by many Christians. Christians hold to one God in three "persons" (The Trinity) Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and to give recognition to another so called god is considered to be blasphemy. There have been attempts to create what is being called "Christian Yoga" but even this is being opposed in many circles. Better Your Health will be doing further research into this matter, and by signing up for our newsletter, you will be notified as soon as the material is availiable.
We at Better Your Health hope you have found this article to be very helpful in your research into Yoga. Please feel free to check out the many other articles we have on this site about Yoga. Click here to add this page to your favorites. Be sure to check out Better Your Health for more Health Related Topics. |
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