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Benefits of Yoga
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Scientists today ascertain
that the intrinsic organic health of a human
being is of prime importance along with the
outer development of the body. This was realized
thousands of years ago by the ancient Indian
yogis. The practice of yoga has a substantial
foundation in science. Yogic asanas accelerate
blood circulation in the body and Pranayama
abates carbon dioxide content ensuring sound
health. Yoga provides all-round benefits to
a human being: |
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To maintain the purity of
blood and elimination of toxins, both outer
and inner cleanliness is indispensable. Scientists
prescribe sun-bath, steam-bath, shower-bath,
air-bath and to this the yogis include the nasal
cleansing (neti), stomach wash (dhouti), the
depuration of the alimentary canal (basti),
the purgation of the intestines, the bladder,
and the sexual organs (vajroli).
Yoga exercises have a strengthening effect on
the nervous system through its non-tiring physiological
activities that bring about poise of body and
mind. Unlike the normal workouts that concentrate
more on the inflation of the muscles, Yoga takes
care of every little part of the anatomy.
Yoga is much more than "a new-found ability
to touch your toes." Asanas have an all-pervading
effect on the physical and mental functioning
of the body:
- Physical - Through healing, strengthening,
stretching and relaxing the skeletal, muscular,
digestive, cardio-vascular, glandular and
nervous systems.
- Mental - Through the cultivation of a quite
and a peaceful mind, alertness and concentration.
- Spritual - By preparing for meditation.
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The Steps of Yoga |
If you're serious about Yoga, and want to
attain the highest levels of strength, relaxation
and flexibility and want to take it to a 'spiritual'
level, here're the steps you've got to cross
one by one.
- Yama and Niyama: The first
tenet of yoga is daily practice till the ethics
become a part of life. One has to believe
and pursue a categorized course of training
from anuvrata to mahavrata and subject oneself
to a series of lessons in positive and negative
principles, the observances (niyama) and the
restraints (yama).
- Asana and Pranayama: Postural
training or the various physical exercises
form a part of Hathayoga, which is essential
to first enable one to keep fit, if s/he is
not. These body-control instructions should
be followed methodically and meticulously.
The next part of Hathayoga is the respiratory
control. The life-sustaining bio-energy can
be regulated to attain a kind of immunity
from natural elements only if one is able
to acquire a mastery over his breath.
- Pratyahara: It is a technique
of abstraction or dissociation of the mind
from sensory fetters by controlling the senses
both external (bahiranga) and internal (antaranga)
thereby bridging the hiatus between the body
and the mind. The process involves relaxation,
centralization, visualization and introversion.
- Dharana and Dhyana: This
method starts with concentration and progresses
to a ceaseless flow of meditation. The mind
is withdrawn within and an effort is made
towards an achievement of a pure body and
mind, the ultimate goal being Kaivalya or
the consciousness absolute.
- Samadhi: This is the final
stage of yoga when a person attains trance-consciousness.
He remains motionless and there is a momentary
suspension of the life force. It is a moment
of perpetual bliss and eternal peace when
one is laid to rest in both body and mind
and "can see into the life of things".
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Five Points to Note |
Proper exercise, proper
breathing, proper relaxation, proper diet, and
positive thinking are the five points that can
help you reap the benefits of Yoga to the fullest. |
Yoga Tips |
- The time most suitable for Yoga is in the
morning before breakfast when the mind is
calm and fresh and the movements can be done
with ease and vitality.
- The most important things you'll need to
get started - as they say - are a big heart
and a small ego.
- A person must seek a place of quietude,
which is well ventilated, free from dust,
insects, unpleasant smell, draught, and moisture.
There should be no distraction whatsoever.
- You must empty your bowels and bladder,
clean your nostrils and throat of all mucus,
consume a glass of lukewarm water and then
begin the exercises after 15 minutes.
- Always remember that you should begin with
the easy postures and then proceed to the
difficult ones. One must follow the graded
steps of Yoga.
- In the beginning, all movements should be
practiced lightly and you must cease to go
further if fatigue shows.
- Yoga must pep up and not impart weariness
and despondency.
- Periods of relaxation are advisable if a
particular exercise proves to be tiring.
- Yoga trainers recommend a balanced diet
(sattwik). There should be an interval
of 4 hours between meals.
- The ratio for the composition of meals should
be:
- grains and cereals 30% of the calorific
value
- dairy products 20%
- vegetables and roots 25%
- fruits and honey 20%
- nuts remaining 5%
- Regarding the quantity of food, it should
be moderate (mitahara), only that
which satisfies one's appetite.
- One should avoid overeating, fasting or
eating once a day. Stale or non-nutritious
food, you know, is harmful.
- The clothing should be loose and as scanty
as possible, because maximum amount of the
skin should be exposed to air.
- Form-fitting cotton/Lycra pants and shirts
are the best.
- The breathing should be long and deep.
The mouth should be closed and inhale and
exhale only through the nose.
- Always take a mat of kusa or
any other grass or hay for sitting postures.
- For lying postures use a woolen carpet,
and spread a clean sheet over it.
- You can check out some other commercial
Yoga accessories, like Yoga belt, foam blocks,
Yoga pillows and rubber mats.
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