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India is a rich land with fulfilling historical and mythological references for a holistic living. People can find many anecdotes from our past that states an idealistic way of living our lives with certain habits that constitutes to a healthy body, mind, and soul. Yoga is one aspect of holistic living that helps people yoke their emotions. This is an achievable and beneficial practice that combines various physical postures, controlled breathing exercises, and calming meditation techniques in a rhythmic way to accentuate physical and mental wellness.
Yoga: The Sacred Ancient Art Of Holistic Wellness
Originated in ancient India, yoga is a practice that connects and syncs your mind, body, and spirit. It offers something for everybody, each benefitting in his/her own manner, whether you are interested in building strength, increasing flexibility, or achieving inner peace. The poses, or asanas, are central to the practice and often combined with breath control (pranayama) and meditation (dhyana) to create a balanced practice.
Pranayam or breathing exercises form the core of yoga. This is an ancient technique that involves controlling your breath in different ways and length. These are beneficial in reducing stress, relieving anxiety, lowering of blood pressure, and improving concentration. The basic idea of pranayama lies in the term itself that breath is associated with prana, or life energy where prana means life force and ayama is expansion. Thus, by focussing on that you can elevate your prana kriya.
Next aspect of yogic kriya is meditation or dhyana. It is a mindful practice that is considered as the seventh limb of yogic path, following the art of concentration, dharana, and preceding the state of enlightenment. If mastered, this practice can help you find inner peace and strength and combat stress. Studies state that when you meditate, your body releases feel-good hormones like serotonin and oxytocin.
Tips for Getting Started with Yoga
Yoga is all about consistency. You will experience the desired results if you are regular in your efforts. To make your yoga journey enjoyable and sustainable, here are some tips:
- Gradual & Slow Start: You should begin with simple poses as initially your body is stiff and might find the poses difficult. Gradually increase the complexity as you build strength and flexibility.
- Your Body Gives Signal: Yoga gradually pushes the limits of your body. Thus, you should not force yourself into poses. Yoga teaches you to respect your body’s limits, and adjust suit your comfort.
- Treat breath as a tool: Focussing on your breath is an essential part of yogic kriya. Deep, mindful breaths can enhance your practice and help you stay present. Breathing exercises teaches you mindfulness and helps your overall health.
- Be Consistent: Even practicing a few times a week can make a difference. Consistency is key to experiencing the benefits of yoga.
- Find A Guru: Proper alignment and postures are necessary to perform yoga. Thus, it is advisable to find a yoga guru and follow the path shown by him/her.
- Use Props if Needed: Yoga blocks, straps, and blankets can help you perform poses safely and comfortably.
Yog Asanas For Beginners
Yoga or any other exercise form needs consistency and practice. Thus, beginners need to start with asanas that are easy on body and keeps your mind and body energetic and relaxed. Here are some essential poses:
- Tadasana: This asana helps with posture, improve balance and removes the stiffness of your body.
- Adho Mukha Svanasana: Improves blodd circulation, stretches the hamstrings and shoulders, and strengthens arms.
- Balasana: Relieves stress and fatigue, stretches the lower back, and promotes relaxation.
- Virabhadrasana: Strengthens legs, stretches hips, and opens the chest.
- Vrksasana: Enhances balance, strengthens leg muscles, and promotes focus.
- Bhujangasana: Strengthens the spine, opens the chest, and improves posture.
- Marjaryasana: Stretches the spine, improves flexibility, and warms up the body for other poses.
- Katichakrasana: Carries the power to heal constipation.
- Markatasana: Improves flexibility in the spine, strengthens the hips, and relieve back pain.
Benefits of Doing Yoga
Practising yoga offers numerous physical and mental health benefits for all ages. And if you have undergone any surgery or living with a chronic condition, making yoga an integral part of your treatment can hasten your healing process.
- Improves flexibility, strength, and balance: Consistent yoga practise makes your body flexible and strong. It improves blood circulation and warm up muscles, which works on your overall balance and strength. It improves your posture and stability.
- Chronic pain relief: Yoga has asanas for every part of your body and various chronic illnesses. These asanas work on your blood circulation and promotes better mobility and health through them.
- Boosts mental clarity and focus: Yoga practice fosters a sense of inner peace and help humans manage their emotions better. This encourages mindfulness and improves concentration and mental clarity.
- Reduces stress and anxiety: Controlling your breathing and practising Yog Nidra helps people reduce their stress and anxiety. It works on your awareness skills and help lower cortisol levels. With your mind relaxed and reduced stress, you experience better sleep patterns and deeper, restful sleep.
- Spiritual benefits: Yoga encourages self-reflection and awareness, helping individuals connect with themselves on a deeper level. The rhythmic combination of movement, breath, and meditation, you feel a deeper connection between your mind, body, and spirit. This is essential for your spiritual awakening.
Read More: The true essence of Yoga practice
Thus, yoga is an ideal way of practising mindfulness and aligning your body, mind and soul. It is essential to understand the everything is connected, no none of these should be neglected. Yoga helps you explore your body and return your attention to yourself and to what is happening to yourself on a physical level. It helps your nourish yourself, clam your mind and live mindfully.
