YOGA

Yoga Revolution – What is Yoga 

Yoga means ‘union’ or ‘connection’. It is used to signify any form of connection in Sanskrit. A significant definition is “Yoga is both a state of connection and a body of techniques that allow us to connect to anything”. 

When we connect to something, it helps us experience that thing or person. It can be a state of joyfulness, blissfulness and the most fulfilling experience. 

The secret of Yoga is AWARENESS. 

What is the Origin and History of Yoga?

Did you know that yoga is so old that nobody knows exactly when it started? It is thought that Shiva was the first yogi and that many thousands of years ago he reached enlightenment in a place called Mount Kailash. People were trying to understand life and what it was all about. According to the legend, he has seven disciples who were known as the seven rishis. We do not know if the story is true, but apparently, they are considered the founders of most spiritual traditions globally. There is what is known as “the bible of Yoga” which is a script written between 400 BC and 200 CE.

The word yoga comes from the root ‘Yuj’ which means to yoke. This is an old word referring to harnessing two animals together so they could successfully plough a field. So to yoke is to create a union. This is how we typically hear yoga defined today. 

Different Types of Yoga

There are many benefits of yoga, and it is essential to find a yoga class that suits your body type. 

We have listed some of the most common forms of yoga, but there are many more.

Iyengar Yoga – An excellent yoga for learning the subtleties of correct alignment. They will use belts, clock and pillow-like bolsters as a prop to help beginners get into the proper alignment. 

Ashtanga Yoga – this is a more vigorous style of yoga. The poses are in a series and are held for only five breaths and are punctuated by half sun salutation to keep up your pace. 

Mysore style Yoga: You go at your own pace on your own breath. You can turn up anytime in an allocated three hours window to practice in a group meeting. It is probably the safest and most traditional yoga. 

Vinyasa Flow Yoga – A teacher leads the class, which will flow from one pose to the next without stopping. This will give you a good workout and a great yoga experience. Probably not the best class for a beginner. This yoga is influenced by ashtanga yoga. 

Bikram Yoga – This yoga is a favourite of those who love to sweat. It was created by Indian yogi Bikram Choudhury in the early 1970s. It is made up of 26 yoga poses which will stretch and strengthen the muscles. It is conducted in a heated room to help with the release of toxins. It is the same 26 poses all over the world.

Kundalini Yoga – Designed to awaken energy in our spine. The class will include meditation and will alternate nostril breathing and chanting. 

Hatha Yoga – It is often a gentle yoga class. It will focus on chanting and is not flowing. 

Yin Yoga – Yin will focus on passive, seated postures, targeting the connective tissues in the pelvis, hips and lower spine. The pose is held for between one and 10 minutes. It aims to increase flexibility and encourages the participants to let go and release. You will be taught how to still the mind in meditation. A fantastic yoga for those who need to learn how to relax. 

Restorative Yoga – This yoga is all about healthy the body and mind through simple poses. The poses are held for as long as 20 minutes. To hold the pose, you have props such as pillows, straps and bolsters. It is similar to yin yoga but the emphasis in on relaxing instead of flexibility. 

The Health Benefits of Yoga

There are many health benefits associated with yoga. People go to yoga for a variety of reasons. The physical benefits are often obvious, but we also know that yoga’s practice offers services that reach far more in-depth than just the physical. The root of doing yoga is to reach enlightenment, which means the focus is on breath and the mind’s inner workings. This will allow us to become more aware of ourselves and feel connected. It is a process of self-discovery. Yoga techniques facilitate health and balance and may even unfold our dormant potential. This will lead us to self-realization and self-mastery. 

Some health benefits are proven by science:

1. Yoga Can Decrease Stress 

Yoga is known for its ability to promote relaxation and ease stress. It can decrease the secretion of cortisol which is the primary stress hormone. It can also help improve the quality of life and mental health. Used along with meditation, yoga can be a powerful way to keep stress in check. 

1. Yoga Can Relieve Anxiety

Often people start practising yoga as a way to cope with feelings of anxiety. A study showed that after ten weeks of practising yoga with a group of 64 women, that symptom of PTSD was reduced significantly. It is said that finding a sense of peace, and being present in the moment could help treat anxiety. 

1. Increase Strength, Flexibility and Balance.

There are specific poses in yoga designed to build muscle and increase strength. Studies have shown that yoga done regularly will increase both endurance and flexibility and probably decrease your body fat percentage. 

1. May reduce inflammation.

Inflammation is a normal immune response. But chronic inflammation can be a contributing factor in developing pro-inflammatory diseases like heart disease or diabetes. Some studies suggested that yoga may reduce inflammation as well as improving your mental health. 

1. Could improve Heart Health.

High blood pressure is one of the causes of heart problems. A study showed that participants who practised yoga for five years had lower blood pressure than those who did not. Along with a healthy diet, yoga may help decrease risk factors for heart disease. 

1. Improves quality of life

A study of seniors showed that after six months of yoga there was a significant improvement in their quality of life, prevent fatigue and boost their mood. It may also help in the quality of sleep. 

1. Fighting Depression.

Yoga can have an anti-depressant effect and may decrease symptoms of depression as it can decrease cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone which influences levels of serotonin the neurotransmitter that is associated with depression.