Yoga literally translated from Sanskrit means yoke. The intrinsic meaning refers to joining, to uniting or attaching. The philosophy behind yoga was to pursue a life of self discipline for uniting with a higher being i.e. the Creator.
In modern parlance yoga is a set of discipline utilizing exercises, meditation and spiritual aspects within a person to attain peace, relaxation and harmony in life. It is a discipline aimed at attuning to one’s true inner self.
People practice yoga for varied reasons. Some explore the philosophy behind yoga or some might want to attain inner peace using the meditative practices or some may follow it for attaining optimum health. Be it physical, mental or spiritual need, Yoga addresses them all.
Before embarking on any yoga regime, it is important to figure out the purpose of practicing yoga. By determining the goals a person wants to pursue, the person can focus on the possible health and fitness benefits it offers on the most basic level.
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It has been verified by fitness experts that yoga offers physical and mental benefits like increase in strength, flexibility of muscles, improvement in posture, balance of the body, improved breathing, a calm mind and increase in concentration skills of a person.
Consult a physician before beginning a yoga session and then either enroll with a qualified instructor or buy some good DIY DVD’s prepared by experts in the field, to practice at home. The best way to move forward is enrolling in a class and then practicing at home as you get the basics right when done under an expert’s supervision.
While practicing yoga keep some points in mind:
- Be Prepared – Prepare yourself mentally and physically to begin yoga. It requires high levels of discipline. Be prepared for pain during the initial sessions till your body gets used to all that stretching.
- Choose A Suitable Yoga Style - There are many yoga styles to choose on depending upon the goal you have set. For beginners Hatha Yoga is the most preferred choice. They can even try the Iyengar or Kripalu or Kundalini Yoga style. The Iyengar yoga focuses more on postures while the Kundalini yoga is focused on deep meditation.
- Begin By Breathing Right – One major aspect of yoga is that it teaches a person to breathe right. Correct breathing techniques are important as they help you to get the system going in the right direction. Synchronization of breathing in and out techniques with the body movements augments the therapeutic effects of yoga. Go with the flow.
- Do Not Over Stress – Yoga is all about synchronized and relaxed movements. By stretching and putting unnecessary pressure on your body, you become more susceptible to injuries. Initially, try using movements slowly and gradually improvise the way you move. Don’t stress the body beyond its capacity right from the beginning as you do not want to pull a hamstring!
- Stay Grounded – Striking a balance in the body posture is important in yoga. Practice yoga on a mat placed on a stable surface. The floor should not be uneven or you might lose balance while practicing the various asanas. Arrange for props like pillows or rugs which can be folded to provide support in postures as and when required.
- Ambience - If you are practicing at home, it would be better to get the ambience right. Remove the clutter from the space you wish to practice within. Play music that is soothing and keeps rhythm with your movements. Choose a place that is peaceful and quiet.
- Time - The best time to practice yoga is – whenever you are ready. Generally yoga sessions are either conducted early morning or in the evenings to facilitate working people’s timings. Moreover mornings are always peaceful. There is not much disturbance. Practice yoga everyday if possible. However experts opine that yoga can be practiced even for three days in a week if it is impossible to take out time every day.
The purpose of yoga is to meditate as well. Hence, by embarking on the path of yoga, you will be at peace not only with your inner being but with the chaos that exists outside (in the world).
The author is a firm believer in the holistic approach of yoga in treating the mind, body and soul. She also blogs on topics that are related to yoga apart from conditions affecting human growth hormones, skin diseases, hair fall and its prevention & cure.
