A Brief Introduction to Yoga

Yoga today is used as a form of fitness, but it did not start out as just a form of exercise. This 3,000-year-old practice of stretching exercises and postures helps relax the body and mind, as a moving meditation. Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years in India, according to the "Complete Guide to Pilates, Yoga, Meditation & Stress Relief" (200). Yoga can lead to greater health, better mental control, elf-realization and enlightenment. This belief is based on the idea that yoga is an ancient form of wisdom, that the book says was known as "the supreme science of life."

There are six types of yoga, known as "the schools of yoga." Hatha yoga is the most common form of yoga and helps with relaxation. Raja yoga uses deep meditation as it's basis. Karma yoga uses the belief that one must live for the moment and allow things to happen. Bhakti yoga uses worship to reach self-awareness. Jnana yoga follows the classic yoga texts that seek answers to life's great questions. And Mantra yoga which uses the chanting of mantras, like "ohm". Each combine different movements, and they all have a different outlook on what yoga does for the mind, body and soul.

Yoga can lead to better oxygen flow, flexibility and overall better health, according to "The Dictionary of Complementary Therapies." It is also a great form of exercise, as well as stress relief. The book goes on to add that yoga helps improve strength, stamina, digestion and concentration. One of yoga's greatest achievements, other than it's path to enlightenment, is it's ability to correct posture. For those with posture issues yoga is a great tool to better their body and their life.

Most yoga moves are a series of different positions. The cat starts with the person on their hands and knees, back sloped in and head held high. The next move has the head down and back arched. Then it finishes with the forehead on the floor, still on the knees, with hands reached back to feet in a relaxed pose. The Downward Facing Dog is also a popular Yoga position. In this position the person starts in a plank position, which has the person on the floor,back straight and legs straight, on toes. The arms will be straight holding the upper body up. Then they will stretch their butt into the air, still aligned with the legs. Head will be down, facing the ground, aligned with the arms.

References:

" Complete Guide To Pilates, Yoga, Meditation & Stress Relief" (no author, 2002) " The Directory of Complementary Therapies" by C. Norman Shealy, 2002