Demystifying Yoga

Few of the most prominent question asked questions about Yoga are
Is yoga a religion? Do I have to be able to twist up like a pretzel to do yoga? And
lastly, do I have to add aerobics and weight training to yoga to stay in shape?

This article should help you find a way to make a decision !

The Spiritual Side of Yoga
Yoga pre-dates any organized religion and is over 4000 years old. It is an oral
tradition and was codified approximately 3500 years ago by the sage Patanjali in
a text called the “Yoga Sutras”. Yoga is a science of techniques or philosophies
whose purpose is to bring the individual closer to their divine whoever that may
be. Yoga’s two main goals are to remove the root cause of pain and suffering
and to attain enlightenment. This is done through the eight limbs which are
documented in the Yoga Sutras”. Yoga means to yoke or unite and Sutras are
threads. The eight limbs (translated from Sanskrit) consist of restraints,
observances, postures, breathing, sense-withdrawal, concentration, meditation,
and enlightenment.

Benefits of Yoga
Hatha yoga ( mostly postures related to animals ) which is what most people are familiar with consists of the postures
and breathing techniques and can be practiced alone to achieve the health
benefits that come along with yoga. The following are some of the benefits of
yoga:
• Increased flexibility
• Improved memory and mental focus
• Relaxation
• Toxin release
• Improved Sleep
• Improved Digestion
• Self awareness and cultivation of compassion

You do not have to be extremely flexible or strong to practice yoga; a good
teacher will provide you with props or pose modifications to make most poses
accessible to everyone. With enough practice flexibility and strength comes along
with doing yoga. Focus on the proper alignment and keeping yourself from
getting injured are the keys to a beginning yoga practice. When looking for a
school or instructor it is important to not be forced into attempting anything
beyond your ability. If your first class involves doing headstands or
shoulderstands and no modifications are provided you may wish to seek another
school or class structured around the beginning ability level. It is even wise to
set up your first class as a private session with the instructor.
There have been studies conducted that discuss whether or not other
types or strength training or aerobics are needed, and results have varied. There
are different styles of yoga and many of them really get your heart pumping! The
advanced breathing techniques learned in yoga will also improve cardiovascular
fitness. Even beginning levels of yoga practice will begin to sculpt and tone your
body, it just takes patience and results may take longer than lifting weights. A
basic physiological premise in yoga is that muscles that are tone have the ability
to contract and relax and yoga is ultimately a non-muscular activity and one of
balance but this takes years, maybe even a lifetime to achieve. Hardened
muscles and six-pack abs mean you are in a constant state of contraction and
that is not muscle tone! Overall the practice of yoga is health for the mind, body,
and soul and the changes you notice through practice can begin to change your
entire life!

I hope you make a wise choice and take up Yoga as a way to improve yourself and people around you .