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Yoga has been practiced in India
since the days Indus civilsation. It is around 5000 years old. Yoga is a
philosophy in itself. And will do wonders to the practitioners health.
Other forms of exercise like aerobics, gymnastics concentrates only on the
physical part of the human body. But Yoga integrates mental and physical
form. One attains selfless form with years of practice. It is achieved by
08 fold yogic practice.
1. Disciplined Behavior (Yama)
2. Self Purification (Niyama)
3. Bodily Posture - lotus position (Padmasana)
4. Breath control (pranayama)
5. Sensual control (Pratyahara)
6. Concentration (Dharana)
7. Meditation (Dhyana)
8. Absolute state of tranquility and eternity (Samadhi)
Yoga
exercises are done gently in relaxed state with right mental attitude
induced by correct breathing rhythm. By practicing Yoga, one has a
complete control over his body - physical and mental. It increases the
efficiency of the heart & slows the respiratory rate, lowers blood
pressure, mental relaxation, reduces stress, strain, allays anxiety and
many more. It also serves to improve coordination, posture, flexibility,
concentration, digestion etc. It is a supplementary therapy for anemia,
insomnia, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, obesity, asthma, migraine and Aids;
it helps to combat addiction like Consumption of liquor, smoking and
drugs.
Cited
below are some of the simple Asanas (postures of Yoga). For beginners,
Yoga has to be practiced under the supervision of a Yoga Guru
(Teacher).
Sit/Easy Position - Sukhasana
This Asana helps in control over breathing and has the feel of the body;
helps strengthen lower back and relaxes the hip and groin parts of the
body.
Sit cross-legged with hands on knees. Focus on your breath. Keep your
spine straight and push the sit bones down into the floor. Gently lower
the knees. If the knees rise above your hips, sit on a cushion or block.
This will help support your back and hips. Take 5-10 slow, deep breaths.
On the next inhale; raise your arms over your head. Exhale and bring your
arms down slowly. Repeat 5-7 times.
Mountain - Tadasana
Improves posture, balance and self-awareness. A deceptive pose in that it
appears so simple that some students may ask - "why bother?" But
just as there's more to breathing than meets the eye, there is more to
standing, too.
Stand with feet together, hands at your sides, eyes looking forward. Raise
your toes, fan them open, then place them back down on the floor. Feel
your heel, outside of your foot, toes and ball of your foot all in contact
with the floor. Tilt your public bone slightly forward. Raise your chest
up and out, but within reason - this isn't the army and you're not
standing at attention. Raise your head up and lengthen the neck by lifting
the base of your skull toward the ceiling. Stretch the pinky on each hand
downward, then balance that movement by stretching your index fingers.
Push into the floor with your feet and raise your legs, first the calves
and then the thighs. Breathe. Hold the posture, but try not to tense up.
Breathe. As you inhale, imagine the breath coming up through the floor,
rising through your legs and torso and up into your head. Reverse the
process on exhale and watch your breath as it passes down from your head,
through your chest and stomach, legs and feet. |