Yoga can affect your life physically, mentally and spiritually. The aim of yoga is to create a union of body, mind and spirit through the practice of dozens of postures. You can derive some benefit from practicing yoga occasionally -- but you will reap longterm rewards with a regular practice.
Yoga
Some archaeological evidence suggests that yoga has been around as long as 5,000 years. Although it originated in India, yoga has enjoyed an upsurge in popularity in the West in recent years, due to its health benefits. The Mayo Clinic reports that yoga may help physical conditions ranging from stress to cancer and increased fitness. Yoga incorporates deep breathing, body poses called asanas and meditation to help calm your mind.
Health Conditions
Yoga may help a number of health conditions, including cancer, depression, pain, anxiety and insomnia. It can also help reduce fatigue and sleep problems. NursingDegree.net credits yoga with decreasing blood pressure and pulse rate and improving circulation. The practice of yoga massages internal organs and helps its practioners to become more attuned to their bodies so they know immediately if some part is not functioning properly. Some of yoga's beneficial effects have also been noted in the areas of metabolism, by controlling weight and hunger; gastrointestinal functions, by improving the flow of nutrients throughout the body -- and immunity, with certain poses improving parts of the immune system such as the sinuses and thymus gland. Although yoga is considered safe for most people, discuss doing yoga with your health care provider, especially if you have problems with balance, uncontrolled high blood pressure, glaucoma, severe osteoporosis, pregnancy or artificial joints.
Stress Reduction
When you enter a yoga class or practice in a quiet place at home, you move your attention away from your worldly cares into an atmosphere of peace and calm. The poses you do require you to concentrate and focus on breathing. Slow, rhythmical breathing is an important part of yoga practice. By inhaling and exhaling the breath at certain times when doing a pose, you can go more deeply into the pose and hold it more efficiently while your mind relaxes. The poses, or asanas, can release tension held in your muscles, allowing you to feel both relaxed and more energetic. This translates into better health, both physically and emotionally, as you carry out your daily activities.
Meditation
Yoga is conducive to entering a meditative state, because of its ability to calm the body and mind. Many people use yoga as a spiritual practice, as a way to develop deeper self-awareness and connection to all things. By drawing inward, away from the material world, you can experience more of your own essence as a person and be in touch with your inner self. Some people feel they can find inner peace through a regular, disciplined yoga practice -- allowing it to transform their lives into a more positive, life-affirming consciousness.
