Yoga is always mistaken as a form of exercise. It is actually a discipline or a way or living taught and practised by the ancient Indian ‘yogis'(preachers). It dates back to 6th century B.C and was formally compiled prior to 400 CE by an Indian sage named Patanjali. He used ancient Indian texts to provide a valuable resource of knowledge containing 196 sutras(aphorisms). Unfortunately due to various political situations and wars, all this knowledge was not recognized for hundreds of years until in the 19th century when Swami Vivekananda brought it to light. Swami Vivekananda gave the light of spiritualism when he addressed the session of United Nations.
Types of Yoga
There are different types of Yoga and some of the most ones are:
How Yoga is different ?
In terms of health yoga helps to make our bodies flexible, tone our muscles, benefit the respiratory and circulatory system in a natural way. It also helps to regulate your blood pressure and glands in the body. The best part is that you can practise yoga anywhere, at home or office and do not need any equipment. You just need a comfortable outfit and a place to stand and lie down without any disturbance. A lot of my friends have switched from contractual and costly Gym classes or other forms of exercises to Yoga.
Depending upon personal needs and health one should pick the suitable yoga.
Hatha Yoga – The word ‘hatha’ in ancient Indian language Sanskrit means ‘force’. Many ‘yogis’ practicing hatha yoga force their body into tough physical stance.e.g. wearing hot warmers in high temperature in summers and not wearing anything or little dress in sub zero temperatures on the Himalayas. The purpose is to make their mind and body stronger and decrease the aging process. It is a slow pace yoga involving exercises and physical postures. It consists of classic breathing exercises as well.
Vinyasa Yoga – Moving and dancing with breathing exercises, yoga with music and rhythms. Athletes and sports persons get interested in this form very easily.
Iyengar Yoga – Every yoga posture in it has to be followed with great detail and discipline. The postures are held for a longer period of time. If you practise under a good teacher, you will be taught details of anatomy for each posture.
Hot Yoga – Also known as a form of ‘Bikram Yoga’, it is practised under high temperatures. It is as good as tough workouts with good stretches and releasing sweat due to high temperature maintained in the yoga room. The temperature maintained is usually 105F(40 C) with a minimum humidity of 40%
Kundalini Yoga – This is a higher form of yoga which should be practised only under the supervision of a ‘guru’ (teacher). It involves rigorous physical and mental exercises using breathing to awaken the hidden energies of the body (the serpent of energy below the spinal cord). Any incorrect posture of failure to handle the flow of energy can lead to serious impact. However attaining this state is a blissful experience. It is more of a spiritual experience than a physical exercise.
Yin Yoga – A zen technique to calm your mind and body. It leads to total relaxation of muscles and we surrender to let gravity do its work.
Restorative Yoga – This form of yoga is good for almost any person. It leads to total relaxation and reduces stress. It freshens up the mind but take note of not sleeping during this form of yoga
How Yoga is different ?
In terms of health yoga helps to make our bodies flexible, tone our muscles, benefit the respiratory and circulatory system in a natural way. It also helps to regulate your blood pressure and glands in the body. The best part is that you can practise yoga anywhere, at home or office and do not need any equipment. You just need a comfortable outfit and a place to stand and lie down without any disturbance. A lot of my friends have switched from contractual and costly Gym classes or other forms of exercises to Yoga.
What is benefit of “Warrior pose (asana)”
Increase your confidence, strengthen your muscles and abdominal organs by practising warrior pose of yoga. It is simple (refer the image) to practise – standing with arms and legs stretched.
Keep yourself straight and feel the stretch. This will also help to broaden your shoulders if you start at right age.
What is Corpse (Savasana) pose ?
You need to lie straight on your back with arms and legs slightly spread at ease. One of my favourite poses as it not only relaxes the body but also refreshes the mind. If you practise and start having control of your breath, you feel as refreshed as you feel after 8 hrs of sleep. It also regulates your blood pressure.
This pose is also closely linked to meditation. It is ideal to perform corpse pose after end of your session. Take care not to sleep during this pose – you need to increase your awareness and by surrendering your body to yourself. Feel the heaviness in each body part one by one and then feel the whole body becoming light like feather. It is an amazing experience.
What is special about “Triangle pose”?
This pose helps to increase flexibility in our body and strengthen back and spine musc
les. This also helps shoulders and overall body posture.
It removes stiffness in the back.