YOGA FOR HEALTH & FITNESS

YOGA FOR HEALTH & FITNESS
Introduction:

Yoga, is a Sanskrit word meaning "union" is primarily associated with "asanas", or exercises that aim to maintain good health and concentrates on the emotional and psychological health of a patient along with his physical condition. The practice of yoga has been prevailing in India from several centuries though yoga as a career option has become popular in the recent past because of its curative powers.

History:

One saint by name Patanjali was the first to write the treatment on Yoga Sutra about 2200 years ago. Yogic practice was present even in Indus valley civilization (3300 BC), Vedas (900 BC), Upanishads (900 BC), Mahabharatha
(500 BC) also mention about Yoga.

Benefits:

Health and fitness have become areas of major concern in the fast life style of today. Yoga, probably the oldest fitness regime existing in the world can provide solution to all such health problems.

They have been found to be extremely effective in:
Increasing flexibility of the body and freeing
all the energy blocks. Besides increasing
flexibility, this leads to a healthier body.

Helping to lose excess flab and weight - another cause of ill health. Massaging the internal organs of the body and the rarely stimulated parts such as the thyroid gland.

Helping to treat several health disorders - common ones such as backaches and arthritis, asthama etc. It is recommended to include some form of yoga positions and preferably a yoga routine in your life.






Daily Yoga Routine :

Yoga routines will vary depending on the purpose for which you seek to do yoga - it may be for better fitness or for specific ailments.

1) Yoga Nidra / Yogic sleep will progress from a short introduction of 15 minutes in the first week and through more advanced aspects of awareness with each week.

2) The Asanas or yoga positions for beginners will progress from very simple Anti-arthritis series through to the Standing and Balancing postures.

3) The powerful Pranayama techniques begin with a few rounds and go up to more rounds with longer breath controls.

4) Meditation for mental relaxation.

Yogasanas :

Yoga Positions maintain the right circulation in body parts and help in channeling energy. The best part is that there is no age limit, disease or physical capability. In fact, we can use definite yoga routines for specific conditions.

Yoga has simple and effective body movements that strengthen one's back, firm the stomach, and redistribute body weight. Yoga exercises stretch and tone the body muscles. They increase endurance and improve flexibility.
Yoga Asanas or positions are the best among all exercises for toning muscles, lubricating joints and massaging the body. Asanas exercise the nerves, glands, ligaments, and muscles.

Although asanas are very powerful, the effect becomes dramatic when they are done the right way. The mind must be in harmony with the body movements. For this it is essential to train both body & the brain.

There are several simple positions as well as more complex ones. Always begin with simple poses and gradually move towards the complex ones. It is not as if maximum benefits cannot be achieved with simple positions, but it be acceptable by the body.

Yoga For Disease :

Like everyone, if you are interested in doing the right set of yoga exercises meant for just YOU!!
" " has brought out various yoga exercise plans best suited to everyone.
Yoga has postures & breathing techniques for almost all diseases, health disorders, allergies, pains etc. Many of the exercises are simple and have a magical effect on most disorders.

Yoga for Digestive Disorders :
Yoga for Digestive DisordersJust like the face turns red when one is angry, the stomach lining turns red too. And it pours out large amounts of acid and enzymes. Anger, fear, jealousy, anxiety, tension etc. are emotions which influence not only the quality and quantity of secretions in the stomach and intestine, but also alter the blood flow and the motility of the intestine. Many ailments of the digestive system starting from the mouth to the rectum are traceable to stress and a modern lifestyle.

Yoga for Back Pain :
Yoga for Back Pain With a comprehensive understanding into the dynamics of back pain, This is designed for persons with back pain as well as yoga therapists. It aims to show how the back works in health and disease as well as the yogic way of handling the problem.

Yoga for Arthritis :
A complete and wholesome insight into Arthritis is first obtained, followed by clear instructions with yoga exercises for the same. A complete yogic approach to managing arthritis is taught through a range of postures, breathing techniques, cleansing techniques as well as relaxation techniques.

Yoga for Anxiety and Depression :
We all experience anxiety or depression at some point or the other in our lives. However, depression and anxiety take the form of disease when their effects are prolonged and disturb the quality of life. This problem has become quite rampant in our affluent modern and progressive societies.
Yoga for Diabetes (Mellitus) :
Diabetes is a lifestyle related condition due to an imbalance in handling a glucose load and is NOT a disease. It is one of the several lifestyle related chronic conditions with an end result of complications that are related to early aging changes resulting in blockage of small and large arteries.
Yoga for Infertility :






Importance of Yoga :
At the outset, we must understand what is the gain out of this wonderful practice.
More importantly, yoga is extremely effective in :
Increasing Flexibility – yoga has positions that act upon the various joints of the body including those joints seemingly unrelated “non strenuous”.

Increasing lubrication of the joints, ligaments and tendons – the well researched yoga positions exercise the different tendons and ligaments of the body.
Massaging of ALL Organs of the Body – Yoga is only form of activity which massages all the internal glands and organs of the body, Yoga acts in a on the various body parts. This stimulation and massage of the organs in turn benefits us by keeping away disease.
Complete Detoxification – By stretching muscles and joints as well as massaging the various organs, yoga ensures the optimum blood supply to various parts of the body. This helps in the flushing out of toxins from every nook and cranny as well as providing nourishment. This leads to benefits such as delayed ageing, energy.
Yoga through mation works remarkably to achieve this harmony and helps the mind work in sync with the body. Moreover, stress which in reality is the #1 killer affecting all parts of our physical, endocrinal and emotional systems can be corrected through the wonderful yoga practice of mation.
In fact yoga = mation, because both work together in achieving the common goal of unity of mind, body and spirit – a state of eternal bliss.
The mative practices through yoga help in achieving an emotional balance through detachment.. The ultimate goal of the yogis was “self realization” or “enlightenment”,

Advice and Precautions

The very best time to practice yoga is in the morning before breakfast. Upon waking, empty the bowels, shower if wish, then commence the day with your regime of yoga practices. The second conductive time is early evening, around sunset.

Integral yoga is a balanced recipe which maintains: that to get the best from yoga practice, Mix and match the necessary elements of practice which will improve and enhance spiritual growth and awareness.

Yoga Positions (Asanas) may be practiced at any time of day except within 2-3 hours of having eaten. We can do postures when the body feels stiff, tense, tired or hyped-up. Be aware not to do too many over-stimulating postures just before bedtime. Asanas are best practiced first in yoga routine, followed by breathing (Pranayama) and then mation.

Pranayama may be practiced at any time of day except within 2-3 hours after meals. It may be done when tense or tired or when space does not allow room for postures. Pranayama is best practiced straight after asanas without breaking the flow of awareness. Pranayama is a necessary pre-requisite for successful mation.

Mation may be done at any time of day when you feel both awake and relaxed. For best results don’t do mation within 2-3 hours of eating, when sleepy, nor when mentally “hyped-up”.

Yoga Nidra can be done at any time of day, even directly after meals so long as you do not fall asleep in the practice. Don’t do Yoga Nidra when you feel tired or sleepy. More will be gained when you are awake and relaxed.

Place of Practice
It is best is to have yoga practice in fresh air in a quiet and clean place that suits the concentration and awareness .

Do not practice yoga in direct sunlight or after sun-bathing. Yoga can be done in outdoors but avoid cold wind and insects.

Awareness
Throughout a yoga practices, try to keep awareness on what you are doing.
Proceed slowly and carefully. Follow the instructions exactly.Never force or strain. Relax briefly between each practice. Remember the golden rule:
“If asanas are uncomfortable do not do it”.

Breathing

Always breathe through the nose both in and out, If there is any trouble in breathing through your nose, practice “Jala Neti” (Nasal Cleansing)

Restrictions & Precautions
There are no age limits either young or old for the practice of yoga. However the application of the techniques will vary according to the abilities of the practitioner.

1) Never practice any yoga techniques under the influence of alcohol or mind altering drugs.

2) Those with disabilities, severe, acute or chronic medical conditions should consult both with their medical practitioner and their yoga teacher to assess any dangers or difficulties which may arise.

3) There are no hard and fast dietary rules necessary to begin the practice of yoga.One does not have to give up smoking, become vegetarian, or be a purist to learn yoga.