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Basics of Yoga
What is yoga?
Often associated with Hinduism, yoga actually is older. It is the oldest
physical discipline in existence. The exact origins of yoga are unknown,
but it is thought to be at least five thousand years old. The earliest
evidence of yoga practice can be traced back to about 3000 B.C. The
original purpose of the postures and breathing exercises was to bring
stability and relaxation so practitioners could prepare for the rigors
of meditation, sitting still and alert for long periods of time.
The word yoga has its roots in the Sanskrit language and means to merge,
join or unite. Yoga is a form of exercise based on the belief that the
body and breath are intimately connected with the mind. By controlling
the breath and holding the body in steady poses, or asanas, yoga creates
harmony. Yoga is a means of balancing and harmonizing the body, mind and
emotions and is a tool that allows us to withdraw from the chaos of the
world and find a quiet space within. To achieve this, yoga uses
movement, breath, posture, relaxation and meditation in order to
establish a healthy, vibrant and balanced approach to living.
Modern scholars have defined yoga as the classical Indian science that
concerns itself with the search for the soul and the union between the
individual, whose existence is finite, and the Divine, which is
infinite.
Yoga is one of the original concepts which today would be labeled as
holistic. That means that the body is related to the breath; both are
related to the brain; in turn this links with the mind, which is a part
of consciousness.
The essence of yoga is to be in the driver's seat of life. Control is a
key aspect of yoga: control of the body, breath and mind.
The secret of yoga practice lies in a simple but important word:
balance. In every area of our life, yoga represents balanced moderation.
What is Hatha Yoga?
The system of yoga used most often in the West is called Hatha yoga. The
word Hatha is a composite of Ha, which means sun and Tha which means
moon. Yoga is the union between them, suggesting that the healthy
joining of opposites - in this case, the mind and body - leads to
strength, vitality and peace of mind.
Hatha yoga is the physical aspect of the practice of yoga. Hatha yoga
emphasizes asanas (practice of postures), pranayama (breathing
techniques) and dhyana (meditation). It aims to balance different energy
flows within the human body. As a form of exercise, hatha yoga consists
of asanas or postures that embody controlled movement, concentration,
flexibility, and conscious breathing. About half of the nearly 200
asanas are practiced widely in the West. The postures range from the
basic to the complex, from the easily accomplished to the very
challenging. While the movements tend to be slow and controlled, they
provide an invigorating workout for the mind and body, including the
internal organs.
Yoga exercises are designed to ease tense muscles, to tone up the
internal organs, and to improve the flexibility of the body's joints and
ligaments. The aim of proper yoga exercise is to improve suppleness and
strength. Each posture is performed slowly in fluid movements. Violent
movements are avoided; they produce a buildup of lactic acid, causing
fatigue.
Hatha yoga is a complete fitness program and will release endorphins in
the brain as well as any regular exercise program. Yoga postures
stretch, extend, and flex the spine, while exercising muscles and
joints, keeping the body strong and supple. When done in conjunction
with breathing techniques, hatha yoga postures stimulate circulation,
digestion and the nervous and endocrine systems. As a workout, yoga can
be intense, easy, or somewhere in between.
It can be practiced by anyone, regardless of age, to achieve a more
limber body, increased physical coordination, better posture, and
improved flexibility without incurring the potentially negative effects
associated with high-impact forms of exercise. Hatha yoga remains
different from newer or more modern types of exercise. It does not aim
to raise the heart rate (although variations such as Ashtanga, Power
Yoga, or the flow series taught by Bikram Choudhury may) or work on
specific muscle groups.
Overall, the postures release stiffness and tension, help to reestablish
the inner balance of the spine, renew energy and restore health. Some
postures provide the added benefit of being weight-bearing which helps
sustain bone mass (very important for women). Relaxation and breathing
exercises produce stability and reduce stress and put you in touch with
your inner strength. In addition, regular practice of hatha yoga can
promote graceful aging.
Whether you are learning yoga singly or in a group, it is a good idea to
be supervised by a qualified teacher. A teacher will demonstrate how to
ease your body gently into and out of the yoga postures. He or she will
ensure that you do not strain your limbs and will help you align your
body in the asanas.
According to a recent Roper poll, six million Americans now practice
hatha yoga. Furthermore, yoga's visibility and viability as an effective
exercise program has been increased by the endorsements of celebrities
such as Jane Fonda, Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson, Sting, Madonna,
Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael Keaton, Kareem Abdul Jabar and Evander
Holyfield.
Yoga also is increasingly embraced by the medical community. Popular
health practitioners who possess mainstream medical credentials and are
open to alternative practices include Andrew Weil, M.D., Dean Ornish,
M.D., Joan Borysenko, M.D., and Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D. Such practitioners
have long encouraged patients and clients to take up yoga. Yoga is also
an integral part of many stress management programs endorsed and paid
for by HMOs and insurance companies. In fact, Cedars-Sinai Medical
Center's Preventive and Rehabilitative Cardiac Center includes gentle
yoga postures and breathing techniques to aid the recovery of patients
with heart disease.
Yoga asanas can be practiced by young and old alike. While there is no
one who should be excluded, you should check with your doctor before you
begin a course if you suffer from a medical condition or have any
doubts. If you have any concerns about your health or fitness, consult
your physician, qualified health practitioner or yoga teacher before
undertaking a yoga practice, especially with these specific health
problems: high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis, back or neck
injury or recent surgery.
Is Yoga a Religion?
Yoga does not meet the traditional definitions of a religion. Rather
than broadcasting a philosophy or doctrine of its own, hatha yoga is a
physical and psychological discipline that combines the learning and
practice of asanas, pramayama, and meditation.
Because of its roots in Eastern religion and mythology, hatha yoga has
often been associated with the Hindu religion. While both Hinduism and
yoga have their roots in India, yoga is an independent tradition. Its
separate physical and psychological processes have no connection with
religious beliefs. Additionally, dedicated hatha yoga practice has been
found to enhance the religious practice or beliefs of practitioners,
whatever their current beliefs.
While yoga is not a religion, there are, however, a set of ethics
associated with it which complements the practice of hatha yoga. This
set of yoga ethic principles include five yamas which are: non-violence;
truthfulness; non-stealing; chastity; and non-greed. Also there are five
niyamas which are: purity; contentment; self-discipline; self-study; and
centering on the Divine.
copyright 1999-2000 by Edith Howell.
Reprinted with permission. Howell is publishes a comprehensive Yoga
resource. Yogaforbeginners.com
features everything from postures and breathing techniques to various
branches and benefits. Check out the site's resource library, as well,
for recommended books, audiotapes, videotapes and Internet links.
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