What is Yoga?

Yoga, usually called “Joga,” is derived from Indian Sanskrit and means “union, harmony. “Its practice results in the body, mind, and spiritual equilibrium. It leads to a realization of one’s original oneness and connectedness to the entire cosmos. It also includes the methods for achieving this oneness. We do Yoga to improve our quality of life, balance, and vitality.

Many people identify the term yoga with health and fitness or with beautiful poses and relaxation. That is correct, but it is much more. The ideal introduction is Hatha Yoga. It offers many instruments such as physical exercises, breathing exercises, deep relaxation, and meditation.

In a broader sense, it also includes healthy eating and positive thinking. So there are different directions in it. It combines different paths to promote the whole personality of the person.

Yoga Is Good For Everyone

In Western society, we often associate it with well-trained people who seem to effortlessly bend their bodies into all (im-) possible poses and wear chic sportswear.

The physical exercises are only a fraction of what is behind it; accordingly, you don’t have to be a fabulous athlete to practice it.

Types Of Yoga Briefly Explained

It does not exist; instead, many different variants are on an equal footing.

As I said before, it’s all about which type suits you best personally. So that you will get an accurate idea, here is a list of the most popular styles.

1. Ashtanga yoga

An Ashtanga unit is always in the same order. It consists of dynamic exercises that work the muscles properly and guided by larynx breathing.

This style of it is strongly aligned with the eight-step path.

2. Bikram yoga

The typical 26 exercises in the Bikram style are performed in a hot room. Around 40 ° C room temperature ensures that the muscles are relaxed even more, and you sweat a lot.

Bikram Yoga is twice as good for your health because it detoxes the body as it has a very detoxifying effect.

3. Hatha Yoga

When we talk about it, we usually have this style in mind.

It is ideal for beginners, as the light physical exercises and calm breathing techniques are feasible for everyone and gently introduce you to its philosophy.

The connection to the mind is more central here than physical exertion.

4. Kundalini yoga

In the Kundalini style, One must perform intensive breathing exercises in addition to the asanas.

It directs the Prana. The flow of breath or life energy is consciously d.

Also, meditation and repeating mantras play an essential role here. So the focus is more on the spiritual level.

5. Yoga Nidra

This variant delves deep into the spiritual world. It creates a trance-like state between sleeping and waking, in which one consciously experiences thoughts and feelings without judging.

It does not focus on physical exercise but on meditation.

6. Power yoga

Ashtanga yoga serves as the basis for this style. The main difference is that the order of the Asanas in Power Yoga makes it much more flexible.

Again, the poses may not seem too strenuous, but they will make you sweat quickly because the deep muscles are stressed.

Asanas stay for a more extended period and strengthen coordination, breathing, strength, and balance.

7. Vinyasa yoga

In Vinyasa Flow, the asanas flow into one another and are guided by breath. Therefore, one must repeat the asana sequence several times and at a relatively brisk pace.

In addition to conscious breathing, Vinyasa yoga builds and strengthens the muscles.

8. Yin yoga

The style of Yin yoga is very calm. As a positive side effect, it strengthens the joints and relaxes the connective tissue (fascia).

The positions are sometimes held for several minutes, but it is not about the effort required but rather the stretching effect and listening to the body.

Benefits Of Yoga

It affects your body and mind. Many yoga techniques are beneficial from a conventional medical point of view. And therefore, we can also do it therapeutically in addition to medical treatment.

However, in medical diagnoses, the exercises should be taught individually and by a yoga teacher with therapeutic training.

In the medical sense, it is a complementary therapeutic path that can bring relief, especially for the following clinical pictures:

1. Asthma

Because of the breathing exercises practiced in it and the thoracic spine and chest mobilization positively affect people with asthma.

It changes the breathing behavior; breathing becomes deeper and slower. It calms the vegetative nervous system and relieves fears.

2. High Blood Pressure

Targeted yoga exercises also have a positive effect on the vegetative nervous system.

Studies have shown that Hatha Yoga especially leads to a decisive improvement after four weeks for high blood pressure (hypertension).

It does not affect endurance performance, but appropriate physical and breathing exercises can also get the cardiovascular system going and promote blood flow to internal organs.

Relaxation exercises help calm the system down again.

3. Metabolism & Body Weight

According to scientific studies, lowering the blood sugar level in diabetes is possible after six months.

It has also been exposed that overweight people lose weight with regular exercise.

Some of its styles have no direct influence on the breakdown of fat.

Still, individual dynamic yoga directions (e.g., Ashtanga yoga) are movement-intensive and, therefore, also suitable
As fitness training for fat loss.

4. Headache

The calm elements (meditation, breathing, relaxation) of Yoga positively affect migraines.

Chronic headaches usually accompany muscle tension (especially in the neck), and Yoga can help loosen up the muscles.

5. Back Problems & Joint Problems

With the help of correctly performed physical exercises (asanas), the musculoskeletal system becomes more flexible and mobile.

Also, its exercises do not strain joints, tendons, and ligaments but gently promote flexibility, which is ideal for back pain or joint problems.

The aim is to support and strengthen the overloads region (e.g., the lumbar spine) while less dynamic areas are specifically mobilizing (e.g., hips)

Conclusion

The Yogic and Meditative techniques originated in India and have shown to be of tremendous value for the general well-being of any individual; hence, we as Indians have endow with such a jewel of knowledge and should use it wisely.

As a result, we are responsible for carrying this forward and fully using it, rather than letting it go. Numerous educational institutions are becoming aware of the relevance of Yoga and have begun to incorporate it into their curricula. These are excellent initiatives that recognizes and expands upon.