Stretch yourself for a change
I just started practicing yoga myself. Physically I am not very flexible. Yet my goal is to become so.
I really believed that flexibility is a key to optimal emotional, mental, and physical health.
Individuals with flexible minds are able to "go with the flow". They are able to not get caught up in the battle field of lessor importance. They are able to continually find new solutions to new challenges.
I figure if flexibility is good for the mind, why not for the body as well.
It is why I recently took up yoga. (Plus it is nice to tie my shoes without making guttural notices).
The physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of yoga have been known for centuries. In fact, the art of yoga with its system of stylized poses has been around for thousands of years. The word itself is Sanskrit and means to join together.
Although yoga might appear as a series of simple stretching exercises, the ultimate goal of yoga is to join the human spirit with that of the universal spirit to achieve the ultimate of yoga benefits.
But let’s start with the physical benefits of yoga. Using yoga for health improvement can result in stronger muscles, improved posture and balance, and increased flexibility. The benefits of yoga also include a reduction in physical pain, improved sleep, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and increased energy levels. These are just a handful of yoga benefits.
Regular practice of simple yoga poses can produce a myriad mental benefits, as well. Yogis, or people who practice yoga, can attest to a reduction in depression and anxiety, improved memory and concentration and enhanced learning. Benefits of yoga for health also include an increased sense of well-being and self-acceptance. Yoga is also an excellent way to manage stress.
Proper breathing and the use of meditation are important components of yoga. Many of the yoga benefits mentioned above are due largely in part to these two elements. Breathing, for instance, is believed to be the physical manifestation of life force energy known as prana. When we breathe deeply with our diaphragm muscle during yoga poses, we are increasing oxygen flow in our bodies. More importantly, we are filling our bodies with life force energy, which explains why we feel so invigorated after yoga.
Yoga practitioners often use meditation in conjunction with yoga in order to reach a relaxed state of the mind and body. To meditate means to focus our attention on something such as our breath or a mantra with the purpose of quieting our thoughts.
Because proper breathing and regular meditation are cornerstones of yoga, we cannot discount the deep spiritual implications of this ancient art. For centuries enlightened cultures have sought the spiritual benefits of yoga and have discovered its awesome ability to momentarily separate us from our material needs and desires and put us in contact with something greater. We can use yoga and its meditative elements to open up our minds to receive deeper wisdom. The best part is that we don’t have to be a shaman or Gandhi to reap these spiritual benefits of yoga.
That’s because yoga can be practiced anywhere and requires no special equipment, although loose-fitting clothing and a yoga mat are recommended. Beginners and intermediate yogis can start with a series of poses called Sun Salutation, which you can do in the morning to start the day.
Check out a book on yoga for health, which illustrates a variety of poses, rent a yoga video, or sign up for a class at a local yoga studio or gym. Although some of the poses you try may be challenging, they should never be painful. When used in conjunction with a healthy diet and lifestyle, the benefits of yoga can lead to enhanced quality of life and physical well-being.
Regards,
Dr. Mike
I really believed that flexibility is a key to optimal emotional, mental, and physical health.
Individuals with flexible minds are able to "go with the flow". They are able to not get caught up in the battle field of lessor importance. They are able to continually find new solutions to new challenges.
I figure if flexibility is good for the mind, why not for the body as well.
It is why I recently took up yoga. (Plus it is nice to tie my shoes without making guttural notices).
The physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of yoga have been known for centuries. In fact, the art of yoga with its system of stylized poses has been around for thousands of years. The word itself is Sanskrit and means to join together.
Although yoga might appear as a series of simple stretching exercises, the ultimate goal of yoga is to join the human spirit with that of the universal spirit to achieve the ultimate of yoga benefits.
But let’s start with the physical benefits of yoga. Using yoga for health improvement can result in stronger muscles, improved posture and balance, and increased flexibility. The benefits of yoga also include a reduction in physical pain, improved sleep, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and increased energy levels. These are just a handful of yoga benefits.
Regular practice of simple yoga poses can produce a myriad mental benefits, as well. Yogis, or people who practice yoga, can attest to a reduction in depression and anxiety, improved memory and concentration and enhanced learning. Benefits of yoga for health also include an increased sense of well-being and self-acceptance. Yoga is also an excellent way to manage stress.
Proper breathing and the use of meditation are important components of yoga. Many of the yoga benefits mentioned above are due largely in part to these two elements. Breathing, for instance, is believed to be the physical manifestation of life force energy known as prana. When we breathe deeply with our diaphragm muscle during yoga poses, we are increasing oxygen flow in our bodies. More importantly, we are filling our bodies with life force energy, which explains why we feel so invigorated after yoga.
Yoga practitioners often use meditation in conjunction with yoga in order to reach a relaxed state of the mind and body. To meditate means to focus our attention on something such as our breath or a mantra with the purpose of quieting our thoughts.
Because proper breathing and regular meditation are cornerstones of yoga, we cannot discount the deep spiritual implications of this ancient art. For centuries enlightened cultures have sought the spiritual benefits of yoga and have discovered its awesome ability to momentarily separate us from our material needs and desires and put us in contact with something greater. We can use yoga and its meditative elements to open up our minds to receive deeper wisdom. The best part is that we don’t have to be a shaman or Gandhi to reap these spiritual benefits of yoga.
That’s because yoga can be practiced anywhere and requires no special equipment, although loose-fitting clothing and a yoga mat are recommended. Beginners and intermediate yogis can start with a series of poses called Sun Salutation, which you can do in the morning to start the day.
Check out a book on yoga for health, which illustrates a variety of poses, rent a yoga video, or sign up for a class at a local yoga studio or gym. Although some of the poses you try may be challenging, they should never be painful. When used in conjunction with a healthy diet and lifestyle, the benefits of yoga can lead to enhanced quality of life and physical well-being.
Regards,
Dr. Mike
Labels: Dr. Mike Davison, meditation, yoga
posted by Dr. Mike Davison | 2:57 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home