Posts Tagged ‘Karma Yoga’

KARMA YOGA AND ITS COMPONENTS

Sunday, October 9th, 2011

yoga teacher certificationBy Dr. Rita Khanna

THE MEANING OF KARMA

Karma means action; it stems from the Sanskrit root, Kri – to act. The law of Karma says that when we perform any action, there will be consequences. The consequence of eating is to fill the stomach, then to digest the food, then to ingest the nutrients, then to excrete the waste, and then to experience hunger for more food. Karmas start with the body, which has to be fed, bathed, clothed, and exercised. As long as there is a body, these Karmas will never be exhausted. Our lives are full of actions that we cannot get out of doing, no matter how much we would like to escape.

The ancient texts advise us to accept our lot in life and to perform actions, without neglecting any part of life. This may be understood as completing our Karmas. In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna advised Arjuna to act, and because he was a warrior, to fight. He tells Arjuna that Karma Yoga is working, not for the fruits of the actions, but for the sake of the actions themselves. Karma Yoga is one of the main paths laid down in the Vedic tradition.

THE MEANING OF YOGA

Yoga has always been thought of as a series of practices – to be done away from the situations of normal social life – in a classroom environment, or in a retreat in the company of ‘spiritual beings.’ We have thought that if we practice this or that Yoga technique, we will achieve this or that result. What we have actually done is to make Yoga into a mechanical process leading to self-awareness. We have to move away from this idea and make Yoga a part of our natural expression. Only then, can Yoga become a process leading to self-realization.

If we practice Yoga as a technique to feel good, then we will definitely feel good for a little while. If we practice Yoga in order to relax, then we will definitely relax. If we practice Yoga to connect with ourselves internally, then that will also become possible. However, whatever the attainment may be, it will be momentary, a transitory phase; and when one has to confront life’s realities, tensions and frustrations again, then the effect of Yoga will take a back seat. Therefore, it needs to be understood that the real experience of Yoga happens through Karma Yoga. Even if you practice Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Kundalini, or Kriya Yoga, you have to combine it with Karma Yoga, in order to have a rich experience of the process. You have to understand that the whole of life is Karma, and if you avoid Karma, then you do not exist.

yoga teacher trainingIn the third chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna states that the subject of Karma Yoga has never been understood by people in the world. He said this 5,000 years ago, and today, it holds true because Karma Yoga is a subject which involves understanding of human nature, which involves developing awareness of the total personality. It is a process of observing our movement in life – from gross to subtle to spiritual.

COMPONENTS OF KARMA YOGA

There are five components of Karma Yoga.

1. The first component is awareness. Becoming aware begins with the body, when we practice Asana. The awareness becomes part of the practice of Asana, and the physical movement. If you have to move a finger, you are aware of the movement of the finger, and also the pull of the muscles, and the movement of the joints. The emerging awareness dissects the finger into bones, muscles, and nerves. The muscles and bones move differently, the nerves and ligaments pull differently, and the awareness continues to become more acute, more subtle. What you observed before is one experience; later, you see it in its various components and forms. The aim of Asana is to make you aware of your body and how it expresses itself in normal situations. Awareness in Asana will lead to comfort and stability.

In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali defines Asana – as a posture in which you are comfortable and stable. You have been sitting here for the last twenty minutes. Are you stable and comfortable? Some of you are, some are not, and those who are at present comfortable will become uncomfortable after ten minutes. At present, we are not connected with the body. We sit, but we are not aware of sitting. We walk, but we are not aware of walking. We move our body, but we are not aware of the body’s movement. The purpose of Asana is to lead you to a state of comfort and stability. Recognition of comfort and stability will only come when you become aware.

2. The second component of Karma Yoga is mental – observing your reactions and inner behavior. Someone says, “You are very beautiful and a great and wonderful person.” Someone else says, “You are hopeless.” These sentences affect your sensitivity and create a reaction. That reaction dominates your preconceptions, beliefs, and ideas. You either feel elated or depressed. The mood changes. A single sentence has the force to alter one’s mood. The first component of Karma Yoga is being aware; the second is observing your reaction.

Patanjali states in the third Sutra, “The seer becomes established in his own nature.” Who is this seer, the observer? What is the role of that observer or seer? The first stage the seer has to experience is how the person is responding and reacting to people, situations, and circumstances. This is one of the aims of Meditation as well. Through Meditation, experience and observe the changes in the moods, consciousness, and mind. When we are aware of the manifesting mental expressions, then we are able to direct and guide our mental expressions. Even Meditation becomes a process of realizing the mental, psychological, subtle, emotional movement, or Karma.

3. The third component is developing immunity from the things that affect you. How do you develop immunity from situations or influences? By coming out of the self-centered perceptions, in which other people or objects don’t exist, and only you are the center and focus of your life. When you are able to move beyond the self-focused, self-centered awareness, then you begin to develop immunity to situations, events, and ideas.

4. The fourth component of Karma Yoga is releasing the emotional blockages. Emotions are very slippery things. Intellect is a straight path, a linear path. Through logic, you can go from point A to point B to point C to point D, a continuous route, right to the end. Logic or intellect is a straight horizontal path; but the emotions are an inclined path, at least 45 degrees. It is difficult to climb up, but it is easy to slide down. It is difficult to develop a positive and happy emotional identity, and it is very easy to fall or slide into the negative emotions. We have never been taught how to hate or how to be angry or jealous or aggressive. It has come naturally; but when we try to teach how to love, how to be compassionate and positive, it doesn’t come naturally. Therefore, emotions are a sloping path; we slide down most of the time, and moving up is a big struggle and a long journey.

Becoming aware of how you are able to manage your emotional expressions is the fourth component – can you maintain your serenity in success or failure? If you can do it, you will have a very balanced personality. However, you need to have trust, faith, and belief in yourself; and at the same time, you need to believe or have faith and trust in some higher cosmic nature, which guides your life.

The best example is the farmer. The farmer plants seeds and looks after the growth of the plants, in the hope that one day, what he has planted will give good results in the form of fruits and grains. However, there is only so much that the farmer can do. Beyond that, he has to wait for divine grace and the climate to be right. The rain must fall at the right time. The Sun must shine at the right time. There is a limit to human effort. Then, there is the emergence of divine grace. If the environment is not right, all the farmer’s efforts will be wasted; and if there is too much divine grace, in the form of rain, it can also flood the entire farm. So, up to a point – you need to have that belief, trust, and faith in yourself; and beyond that, you need to have belief, trust, and faith in the cosmic force. There has to be a proper balance between the trust that you put in yourself and the trust that you put in the Cosmic Force. This harmony of trust is known as Karma Yoga of the emotions.

5. The fifth component of Karma Yoga is letting go of the personal hang-ups; letting go of the obsessions we create within ourselves. This is known as surrender. Don’t think of surrender in terms of philosophical or religious definitions, but as overcoming and releasing the obsessions and becoming free. The moment you are able to let go of your obsessions, you become creative. Our obsessions do not allow the creative nature to come forth. Creativity does not only mean artistic expression. Creativity means mind and emotions in full bloom. This creativity is attained when we are able to release our obsessions and complexes. The next stage then becomes selfless action, which is spontaneous and natural. For something to become selfless, there is no desire, no attachment, and no association with what is happening. Otherwise, we all try to convert water into wine the first chance we get – not because it helps us in any way, but because it boosts our ego. The selfish nature is usually the predominant one. To become selfless is one of the hardest things in life.

Once, God decided to give a boon to a saint, who had done a lot of penance; but the saint desired nothing more in life once he had seen God and refused to accept anything. So, God gave the boon of peace, prosperity, and health to the saint’s shadow. The saint did not know about the boon, but wherever he went there were peace, prosperity, and health. That is a selfless act.

CULMINATION

Selfless service, the selfless act, is the final culmination of Karma Yoga. If you relate Karma Yoga to the other Yogas, then you will see its relevance. Hatha Yoga, without Karma Yoga, has no meaning. You also have to be aware that we are not talking about Karma, but about Karma Yoga. When the word “Yoga” is added to Karma, it means harmony in all the movements of life – harmony in all the expressions of the body, mind, and emotions. This is the concept of Karma Yoga – internalizing the awareness, becoming aware and freeing oneself from obsessions and negativity.

Of course, we have to start with something tangible and recognizable, and that is our body, which we carry from the time of our birth to the time of our death. So, in Hatha Yoga and in Raja Yoga, association of Karma Yoga leads to deepened awareness. In relation to Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga leads to balancing of the emotions. In relation to intellect and Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga leads to greater knowledge, perception, observation, and wisdom. How does a perfect being walk, eat, live, sleep? Think about it. Even in Kriya Yoga and Kundalini Yoga, Karma Yoga has to be added. The experience you have with awakening of the subtle forces, the subtle energies, the psychic centers, has to be harmonized by letting go of the negative tendencies and pulls of those centers. We can begin to understand and incorporate Karma Yoga in our lives, by changing our attitudes and perceptions, through the practices and systems of Yoga.

AUM SHANTI

If you feel inspired by this article, feel free to publish it in your Newsletter or on your Website. Our humble request is to please include the Resource as follows: – Courtesy: Dr. Rita Khanna’s Yogashaastra Studio. A popular studio that helps you find natural solutions for complete health. Also conducts online Yoga Courses & Naturopathy Guidance.

Mobile: + 919849772485

Ph:-91-40-65173344

Email: yogashaastra@gmail.com

Website: www.yogashaastra.in

Dr. Rita Khanna

Dr. Rita Khanna is a well-known name in the field of Yoga and Naturopathy. She was initiated into this discipline over 25 years ago by world famous Swami Adyatmananda of Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh (India).

She believes firmly that Yoga is a scientific process, which helps us to lead a healthy and disease-free life. She is also actively involved in practicing alternative medicines like Naturopathy. Over the years, she has been successfully practicing these therapies and providing succour to several chronic and terminally ill patients through Yoga, Diet and Naturopathy. She is also imparting Yoga Teachers Training.

At present, Dr. Rita Khanna is running a Yoga Studio in Secunderabad (Hyderabad, India).

 

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FOOD TIPS FOR OLD AGE

Sunday, October 2nd, 2011

yoga teacher certificationDr. Rita Khanna

According to the Vedic traditions, there are four stages in human life. Every age, in life, has a meaningful purpose. Maturity has a serenity and wisdom, which youth cannot yet know, due to its lack of experience. It is only at this time of life that we can devote ourselves fully to finding out just what we really are, and what the purpose of our existence really is. Man is not the body, which he possesses, and also not the mind with which he thinks that he possesses his body. In every one of us, there is an immortal spark; and the prime purpose of life is to discover and rekindle this spark, which is already within, and which is eternal. When discovered and rekindled, this light will illumine, not only ourselves, but will give light on the path to all who follow. Thus, will man, in his maturity, grow strong and grow beautiful.

OLD AGE FOOD TIPS

The later years of life are not a time to indulge the palate in many varieties of rich and tasty foods, but to free the mind for contemplation and discovery of the delights of the soul. The lowering of metabolism, which occurs after the age of fifty, not only aids our spiritual quest, by forcing us to eat and sleep far less, but it also calms the body and mind, so that we are able to sit quietly for self-discovery, without the previous restlessness and mental disturbances.

During youth, and even middle age, the metabolism is generally high, and the digestive juices thus flow copiously. In old age, however, with the lowering of metabolism, the gastric fires often burn very low, making large or heavy meals very difficult to digest. Therefore, elders who wish to live long, active lives, free from digestive problems, are recommended to gradually switch over to pre-digested foods which are natural, light, and Sattvic.

Sattvic foods increase longevity, by purifying and balancing, the body and mind. Having passed through the ambitious, highly active stage of life – Rajasic foods, which build the body and stimulate the mind, are no longer so necessary. Tamasic foods, which are left over, stale, or rotten, should be completely avoided. These dead foods deplete the energy and inspiration, and increase the desire for sleep and withdrawal from activity.

A HEALTHY DIET

A healthy diet is necessary for elders. As one grows older, there is a tendency to care less about the type and quality of food, but the older person should make sure that the food he eats is natural and contains adequate nutrients – to maintain cellular life and rejuvenation of dying tissues.

Simple meals of fresh vegetables – raw, steamed, or cooked into soups; whole grains; legumes; fresh fruits and juices in season, keep you active, yet tranquil, and provide a sufficient balance of vitamins, minerals, and protein. This diet also contains sufficient roughage to avoid constipation. In winter, meals should be substantial with more potato, oil, legumes, and whole grains. Polyunsaturated oils made from seed grains and nuts should be used in place of vegetable oils and animal fats. If legumes produce wind, they should be soaked or sprouted before cooking. If cooked legumes are difficult to digest, make them into a soup, and only drink the water. This will provide adequate protein. Sprouted grains and legumes are very nutritious, easily digestible, and aid the rejuvenation process. They can be eaten raw in salads, or cooked with other vegetables, or in soups.

Generally speaking, the diet should be as fresh and natural as possible – using whatever grows locally in season. If the older person has any difficulty chewing or digesting natural foods, then the foods can be minced, pulverized, or juiced. If there is difficulty in changing over to a more natural and healthful diet, due to habit and taste preferences, processed foods should gradually be substituted, item by item, with a fresh equivalent, until natural foods become desirable and habitual. Remember, if we wish to stay young, we must eat more ‘young’ fresh foods and less ‘old’ preserved or stored foods.

FOOD TO AVOID

Animal products, fats, fried or oily foods, excessive white sugar, heavy or hot spices, salt and stimulants, such as coffee, tea, and alcohol should gradually be put down; and if possible, eliminated from the diet altogether. The digestive system, liver, and kidneys are no longer able to process and excrete them as efficiently as they did in youth, and toxins thus build up. Curd or cottage cheese can be taken in small amounts, if required; but other dairy products, particularly butter, ghee, and aged or processed cheeses, should be avoided as much as possible. Replace them with soya milk and cottage cheese, which are less mucus forming, easier to digest, and far more nutritious.

Non-vegetarians should not try to change over to the above diet overnight, but they can definitely cut down on red meat, taking mainly fresh fish, and other seafood products, which are far easier to digest and loaded with minerals and protein. They may also depend more on eggs, milk, and cheese until their systems get used to the lighter Sattvic diet.

Eating in between meals should be avoided as far as possible. Otherwise, replace all snack foods, such as crackers, spreads, chips, cakes and sweets, with a piece of fresh fruit or vegetable. Nuts should be taken very sparingly, or avoided, as they are too heavy to digest, unless they have been freshly ground and made into nut butter.

LIVE A HEALTHY LIFE

For those (young and old), who wish to live long and productive lives, moderation is very important. Fat people rarely reach a ripe old age. Instead of three meals a day, take only two, and make the second one light. In old age, the body no longer requires the same amount of food that it did in youth, and it is necessary to come to terms with this fact and make the required adjustments. We must learn to regard hunger as a sign of health, and to get used to feeling a bit hungry every day. When the digestive system is completely empty, it is in a state of rest, and only during such short intervals can the process of rejuvenation take place. On the other hand, too little food can also speed up the ageing process. Short fasts can be done in case of sickness, but otherwise, stick to regular, small, but adequate meals.

Those who are bored with life find it very difficult to take their mind off food, and they feel hungry all the time. This is a kind of mental hunger they are suffering from; but by thinking more about spiritual things, and filling the day with yogic practices, plenty of japa and meditation, spiritual reading, satsang, charitable work, and karma yoga, physical exercise, and many other creative activities, there will be no time to think about food, nor will it be of any great interest. We can lighten the load on our digestive systems, and increase our lifespan, by decades, by becoming less dependent on food and more involved in spiritual life. Self-realization, after all, is our real duty in life; and especially in old age, we must make it our sustenance and only aim.

AUM SHANTI

If you feel inspired by this article, feel free to publish it in your Newsletter or on your Website. Our humble request is to please include the Resource as follows: -

Courtesy: Dr. Rita Khanna’s Yogashaastra Studio.

A popular studio that helps you find natural solutions for complete health.

Also conducts online Yoga Courses & Naturopathy Guidance.

Mobile: + 919849772485

Ph:-91-40-65173344

Email: yogashaastra@gmail.com

Website: www.yogashaastra.in

Dr. Rita Khanna

Dr. Rita Khanna is a well-known name in the field of Yoga and Naturopathy. She was initiated into this discipline over 25 years ago by world famous Swami Adyatmananda of Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh (India).

She believes firmly that Yoga is a scientific process, which helps us to lead a healthy and disease-free life. She is also actively involved in practicing alternative medicines like Naturopathy. Over the years, she has been successfully practicing these therapies and providing succour to several chronic and terminally ill patients through Yoga, Diet and Naturopathy. She is also imparting Yoga Teachers Training.

At present, Dr. Rita Khanna is running a Yoga Studio in Secunderabad (Hyderabad, India).

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Yoga – An Alternative Exercise

Tuesday, October 26th, 2010

By Sarah Labdar

Yoga was first experimented with in the US in the 1960′s and has steadily grown in popularity since. Approximately 30 million Americans practice Hatha yoga. Like many of the other alternative medicines, yoga promotes a whole-body approach to health and exercise. Unlike traditional medical practices yoga is a physical and mental discipline that uses posture-related techniques that involve gentle stretching, breath control and meditation. As patients delve more and more into the alternative medicine fields to cure their health problems the followers of acupuncture, chiropractic, meditation and yoga are growing at a rapid speed.

Yoga originated in India around 3300 BC. Much like many other practices in India, yoga is associated with philosophies of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Yoga has several meanings which are derived from Sanskrit, all of which can be correlated to traditional or modern day yoga, “to control”, “to unite”, “contemplation”, and “absorption”. The major branches of yoga include Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Hatha Yoga. Traditionally yoga was a ritual discipline of concentration with a goal of improving health to achieve Moksha, which is a release from worldly suffering.

Hatha yoga is the most commonly practiced type of yoga in US. Hatha yoga is what typical Americans refer to as yoga is used for mental and physical health. Americans consider yoga an alternative to exercise. Yoga is mental and spiritual well being brought about through physical postures and poses. It involves a connection between the mind and body through breathing. Yoga strengthens the muscles and stretches the body in order to calm the mind. Yoga is a great way to improve flexibility and decrease physical discomfort in the body.

Due to high stress levels in people’s lives, many turn to yoga to reduce this stress. Yoga is known for reducing stress and increased relaxation of both mind and body. However it has many other health benefits as well. Yoga has been known to help with people who suffer from lower back pain. Due to specific poses, yoga strengthens and stretches muscles, which can be effected by injuries. In addition people who suffer from high anxiety have seen improved results from yoga based on it’s calming of the mind and spirit.

Now a days you can find classes for all different types of yoga and for people of all different ages. Most people who turn to yoga are either looking for a gentler way to exercise or a more holistic and spiritual way to reduce stress and relax. Try a beginners yoga class to see if this alternative exercise is right for you.

Graduated with a BA in exercise science and have worked in the medical field since. My focus is alternative medicine however all aspects of health interest me. Check out my health website! http://www.universalhealthinfo.com/Yoga.html

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The Main Indian Yogas

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

By Clyde Granger

The Yogas other than Hatha are mainly meditative and more directly aimed at Yoga as end-goal and union.

Jnana Yoga: Union by knowledge; this is the path of spiritual wisdom and knowledge, in which the intellect penetrates the veils of ignorance that prevent man from seeing his True Self (Atman). The disciplines of this path are those of study and meditation.  To some degree Vedanta Yoga and Jnana are one in the same.

Bhakti Yoga: Union by love and devotion; the favorite Yoga of Indian masses. This is Yoga of strongly-focused love, devotion and worship, at its finest in love of the One. Its disciplines are those of rites and the singing of songs of praise.

Karma Yoga: Union by action and service; this is the path of selfless action and service, without of the fruits of action.

Mantra Yoga: Union by voice and sound; the practice of Mantra Yoga influences consciousness through repeating certain syllables, words or phrases. A form of Mantra Yoga is the Transcendental Meditation, which is widely practiced in the West. Rhytmic repetition of mantras is called japa. The most highly-regarded mantras are ‘OM’ and ‘OM MANE PADME HUM’.

Yantra Yoga: Union by vision and form; Yantra Yoga employs sight and form. The visualization may be with the inner eye. A yantra is a design with power to influence consciousness; it can be an objective picture, an inner visualization, or the design of a temple.

Laya and Kundalini Yoga: Union by arousal of latent psychic nerve-force. These combine many of the techniques of Hatha Yoga, especially prolonged breath suspension and a stable posture, with intense meditative concentration, so as to awaken the psychic nerve-force latent in the body, symbolized as serpent power (Kundalini), which is coiled below the base of the spine. The force is taken up the spine, passing through several power centers (chakras), until it reaches a chakra in the crown of the head, when intuitive enlightenment (Samadhi) is triggered. The disciplines are severe, best practiced with a teacher.

Tantric Yoga: Union by harnessing sexual energy; ‘tantric’ is applied to distinguish physiological systems. The control of the sexual energies has a prominent part, and the union of male and female has a ritualistic role. Tantric Yoga of all the yogas guards its teachings and techniques most closely.

Hatha Yoga: Union by bodily mastery (principally of breath); central to all Hatha Yoga disciplines is the regulation of breath, the harmonizing of its positive (sun) and negative (moon) or male and female currents. Hatha Yoga is the most widely practiced in the West, and its best-known feature is posturing. Hatha has practical benefits to the health of the nervous system, glands, and vital organs. It’s a purifying preparation for Raja Yoga, which is work upon consciousness itself. Hatha Yoga is the most practical of yogas, works upon the body, purifying it, and through the body upon the mind. It’s the Yoga of physical well-being.

Raja Yoga: Union by mental mastery; Raja Yoga is considered royal because the Yogi who practices this yoga thereby becomes ruler over his mind. Raja Yoga works upon the mind, refining and perfecting it, and through the mind upon the body. It’s the Yoga of consciousness, the highest form of Yoga.

© Copyright 2010 – Clyde Granger / Aura Publications

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Discover the Secrets of Karma Yoga

Saturday, August 15th, 2009

Hatha Yoga - Warrior 1 and Eagle Pose   By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Within the Bhagavad-Gita, Karma Yoga is mentioned as a spiritual discipline, which is based upon giving and service without the desire for rewards. We might also say that Karma Yoga points us toward supreme consciousness through selfless service and actions of giving.

The concepts of Karma Yoga should not be so difficult to practice, yet many people who understand the principle, still struggle with giving. There are many reasons for this. Therefore, let us take a look at the reasons why Karma Yoga may be difficult, and some of the inner workings within this discipline.

1. “How can I give to someone who is selfish?” 

Some of us may have people around us, who would take everything we have, without acknowledging our actions of giving. These are difficult circumstances, but there are some solutions.

If your circle of friends is collectively selfish, you may be wasting your time, and it might be time to find new friends. When we are children, we might learn hard lessons about the children with whom we associate. We learn about being “guilty by association.”

If we are friendly with a band of thieves, we are presumed to be a thief as well. This is unfortunate, but if you constantly give to a person who does not appreciate your good intentions, you are likely wasting your time. Unless, you are a very forgiving person, it may be difficult to be a “fountain of unlimited giving.”

There are only a few souls, per century, who can manage to master the complete extinction of desire and suffering. To give is one thing; but to give everything you have is impossible for the vast majority of humanity.

Therefore, look inside of yourself and see what actions of giving you can live with. We know that giving is good, but we may not be one of the few enlightened souls of this century.

2. “When I give, how do I know it is going to a good cause?” 

The act of giving is in itself a good cause. We do not know how services and funds of a charity are distributed.  In fact, if you walk outside of any public place, where people are soliciting for a charity, you don’t know if those people are working for a legitimate charity.

However, your giving of funds should be done with the best of intentions and should make you feel better. This brings about states of happiness. When you perform selfless service for a good cause, you most likely know much more about the legitimacy of that particular cause.

In summary, the act of giving, or performing selfless service, such as we know in Karma Yoga, creates inner happiness. At the same time, giving without pursuing a reward always comes back to you – even if it was done in secret. If you are concerned with the legitimacy of a cause, you may want to inquire further so that your time and efforts are not wasted.

© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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The Benefits of Practicing Yoga

Friday, October 6th, 2006

By Jason Rickard

Yoga is one of the most effective strategies to gain total control over the mind as well as the body of a person. Yoga is not a recently developed technique and the benefits of yoga have retained its popularity among people even now. The literature shows that yoga has a tradition of thousands of years, which was originally developed in India.

Yoga can be compared with a holistic system of medicine as it focuses to attribute total control over the physical, mental and spiritual aspect of a person. However in the beginning stages, yoga was not recognized in the West as a potential system of therapy due to the suspicion about its efficiency. But the scene gradually changed as the scientific evidences supported the benefits of yoga.

Yoga is actually a traditional therapy, which is developed purely based on the observations and principles regarding the constitution of human beings. Yoga is not only an exercise instruction but also a complete package for the total well being. The science of yoga includes yoga postures called as asanas, meditation and breathing techniques called pranayama. The benefits vary with type of yoga as it is advocated in different combinations such as Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Hatha Yoga, and Laya Yoga. However, irrespective of its type, the benefits of yoga in the stress management have been substantiated by modern medicine. The multifaceted benefits of yoga promote it more than a simple exercise.

The physiological benefits of yoga include the enhancement of all major functional systems of the body such as nervous system, cardiovascular system, endocrine system, respiratory system, musculoskeletal system and excretory system. It will help to improve the co-ordination and balance the body. The biochemical benefits of yoga such as decrease of LDL cholesterol, glucose and catecholamine will help to prevent all the major fatal diseases and triggers the resilience of the body. Moreover yoga balances the weight of the person without losing its strength through the different stretching asanas.

Psychological benefits are an appealing factor of yoga, which include the regulation of mood related disorders such as anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. The enhancement of the personal abilities such as learning skills, concentration and memory will also be an added advantage of yoga. The improved social skills and better adaptation with circumstances will also be yet more benefits of yoga. The spiritual benefits of yoga can be the pronouncing effects as the self realization and attainment of the epitome of the consciousness will be the necessity to attain the peace of mind. The command over the thought and breathing will certainly be benefits of practicing yoga.

Yoga is a therapy which provides benefits of a balanced body through the practice of effortless dynamic movements or normalized static movement. The opportunity for the attainment of well being without any strenuous exercise or consumption of any supplements can be considered as the most important benefit of yoga.

Jason Rickard is the owner of Your Favourite Shop – Offering White Noise CDs to help block noise and relieve the symptoms of tinnitus, hypertension, colic and more – Visit Hapa Health Information for more articles.

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http://www.hapahapa.com/

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