Yoga: Key to spirit, mind, body balance

Yoga emerged in India as a physical, mental, and spiritual practice. The Sanskrit word “yoga,” which means “to join or to unite,” represents the fusion of the physical body and mental consciousness. It is currently practiced in many different forms all over the world and is becoming more and more popular.

In recognition of its widespread popularity, the United Nations declared June 21 to be the International Day of Yoga on December 11, 2014. The UN stated that the purpose of the International Day of Yoga is to increase public awareness of the various advantages of yoga practice.

History & origin 

The Indus Saraswati Valley civilization, which dates back to 2700 BC, is commonly regarded as having invented yoga, which has shown to be beneficial for both the material and spiritual aspects of humanity.

According to the Indian Ministry of Ayush, long before the first religions or belief systems were established, the science of yoga was developed. Shiva is regarded as the first yogi, or Adiyogi, in yogic literature. Adiyogi taught his great knowledge to the “seven sages” many millennia ago on the shores of Kantisarovar Lake in the Himalayas. The sages spread this science throughout the world, especially to South America, Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. 

Philosophy

Medical News Today stated that the physical body, ideas, feelings, and energy are all centered in the chakras. According to yogic gurus, people's emotional responses, desires and aversions, levels of confidence and fear, and even physical symptoms and repercussions are all influenced by their chakras. These can cause physical, mental, or emotional imbalances that show up as symptoms like anxiety, laziness, or poor digestion when energy in a chakra becomes blocked.

A person who has acquired the state of freedom known as mukti, nirvana, or moksha is said to be practicing yoga and is referred to as a yogi. Thus, the goal of yoga is self-realization, which paves the way for “the state of liberation” (Moksha) or “freedom” (Kaivalya) through overcoming all forms of pain. The primary goals of yoga practice are health and peace, as well as living freely in all spheres of life, the Ministry of Ayush stated. 

Benefits

According to a 2012 study by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), 94% of adults who practice yoga do so for health-related reasons, Medical News Today reported. 

Medical News Today listed the numerous positive effects of yoga on the body and mind, including increasing flexibility while strengthening the muscles, encouraging improved breathing, promoting cardiovascular health, aiding in addiction therapy, and lowering chronic pain, tension, anxiety, and depression. 

Types of yoga 

All forms of yoga induce a sense of levity, comfort, and relaxation. However, you must choose a yoga style and a teacher that you appreciate in order to reap the greatest rewards and have the most fun.

According to the Guardian, Iyengar yoga assists beginners in striking the right alignment in poses even when they are unfamiliar with them. A more active form of yoga is Ashtanga, in which each pose is held for only five breaths, and to maintain the tempo, a half sun salutation is placed between each pose. Meanwhile, the Vinyasa flow moves quickly from one pose to the next without pausing to discuss the subtleties of any one pose. Students gain both a terrific workout and exposure to yoga in this way.

Those who like working out love Bikram yoga because it stretches and strengthens the muscles, and it also compresses and “rinses” the body's organs. On the other hand, the purpose of Kundalini yoga is to awaken the spine's energy. Classes in Kundalini yoga also cover chanting and breathing exercises. Hatha yoga is simply the physical practice of yoga. Yin yoga’s objective is to promote flexibility and a sense of release and letting go. Finally, Restorative yoga uses bolsters, pillows, and straps as well as easy positions that can be held for up to 20 minutes to help the body and mind heal.