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Questions and Answers About Yoga


Kevin Caldbeck

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. 

 

Questions and Answers About Yoga


What is Yoga?  Yoga is an ancient philosophy that came from India that promotes personal health, grown and wellness.  It doesn’t conflict with any religion but has impact on our spiritual path.  Yoga is not just lying around relaxing, a religion, contortionism, staring at a candle and breathing incense, and not just for young people who are thin and supple.  It does need concentration, focused breathing, and discipline.  A greater union of mind, body, and spirit is the result of practicing Yoga and anyone regardless of age, experience, body type, or physical abilities can practice Yoga.

Hatha based or alignment Yoga has been around for over 5000 years and becomes increasingly popular with many medical practitioners and therapists as a treatment for a large variety of illnesses.  The benefits of Yoga practice are many and include more flexibility and strength, cardiovascular health, helps in healing from injuries, creates mental clarity and focus, and creates emotional balance in your body.

More importantly, it’s an all in one practice.  There are many different types of exercise.  There are various exercises for different health benefits.  These exercise options can be ended when you start practicing Yoga.
  • Weight training for strength.
  • Jogging or aerobics for cardiovascular workout.
  • Tai Chi for developing a sense of balance and harmony.
  • Stretching exercises for flexibility.
  • Meditation for relaxation and peace of mind.

Yoga is more than stretching and relaxation techniques, it’s the perfect challenge for your mind and body.

Who should practice Yoga?  Anyone from the people who currently get no physical exercise at all to Olympic athletes can benefit from Yoga.  Purna Yoga is a careful alignment of your body as you hold poses and leads to growth physically, emotionally, and mentally.  Yoga does require work, determination, and practice.  If you are looking for a quick fix or just temporary relief of surface symptoms, then you will probably want to look at another form of exercise.  If your goal is to regain vitality, health, and vigor; and feel stronger and younger, consider Yoga as your exercise of choice.  If you are looking for a form of exercise that is balanced and can be started by anyone over seven, Yoga may be for you.  If you want a program that gets more challenging as you advance, can start no matter what condition your body is in, Yoga should be your choice.

You can start looking for a Yoga studio, but first you need to become familiar with the different types of Yoga, so you will know which one to ask about when you begin phoning studios.  Remember there is several different types of Yoga and different styles have been developed over the years.  You can choose your Yoga practice according to your fitness level, which are just for exercise and which is for the union of the physical with the spiritual.

Therefore, whatever your reason for looking into the practice of Yoga, be assured that you will benefit from the discipline, breathing techniques and the physical exercise you get in practicing Yoga.

Yoga is not without it's Christian critics

Many 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.

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Be sure to check out Better Your Health for more Health Related Topics.

 

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