Yoga - An Overview
Yoga as an ancient tradition and lifestyle enriched with modern science and experience opens up as a holistic system for everybody who is interested in exploring body and mind.
Yoga has been practiced as martial art and can be used to realise ones goals. It can be uses as well to promote wellbeing and peace of mind.
The alignment in the mind and the inner impulses that we follow when we practice are leading to the effect in the end.
Yoga as a system of thought which originates in the most ancient texts called Vedas, has been influenced by many cultures and belief system such as buddhism, hinduism, taoism, tantra and ayurveda. It spreads and develops fast throughout the world thanks to its non-religiousness.
It’s important to know that most of the Indians (who make claim on the legacy of Yoga) practice Bhakti Yoga (Yoga of devotion) which means prayers, rituals, ceremonies, offerings etc.
In the western world we know yoga as a mostly physical practice, whereat meditation gains more interest and popularity.
Yoga objectives
• Strengthens the spine
• Regulates breath
• Has a vitalising and stress-relieving effect
• Stretching the shoulders, neck, abdomen, Pelvis and Legs
• Opens heart and lungs
• Deep relaxation
• Increased self-awareness
Effects of Yoga
Yoga has its effect just like we practice. Meaning, what kind of approach, alignment and intention. Stretching, strengthening, loosening and deep breathing have a positive effect on our fascia, bones, muscles and joints. Concentration and the circulation of the blood are increased. The slow pace in the sequencing increases self-awareness, conscious breathing allows for a feeling of expansion and clarity. Practicing correctly enables a better release of mineral accretion and poisonous substance from the body which have been deposited by the arteries and bones.
And Yet ist ist helpful that Yoga poses balance the hormonal glands like the thyroid gland. It protects the body from toxins and releases hormones which contribute to the process of renewal.
A regular Yoga practice reduces stress, restlessness, lack of concentration, dullness and hyperactivity. The self-healing process activates, which has a positive effect on troubles like migraine, high blood pressure or indigestion. Of Course Yoga exercises do not replace a medical treatment, but they are very supportive.
Yoga For Everyone
From athletic, sportive, acrobatic, to gentle, slow, therapeutic and silent, Yoga can be practiced by everyone. Relaxation should be part of the practice in every style. That differs yoga from conventional fitness. thus the body can regenerate and recover. Through regular practice we establish a conscious relaxation and deeper breathing in stressful situations.
Considering the back problems, which are becoming more acute and are almost a widespread disease in this day and age. Back problems occur due to poor posture and become a handicap in life. With the help of yoga exercise you have the possibility to do something against it. By learning the right body posture you can develop better body awareness. Like that we prevent back pain sustainably and long lasting.
In a yoga pose we are challenged to concentrate, to manage our coordination, to regulate, to have patience, to stay relaxed in a challenging situation and breathe deeper. Mastering a difficult pose depends on those factors. With our pure will power we do not achieve our goal, we are asked to do less and let it happen while finding balance. This will make you happier and more serene, when it counts. It’s possible to drop negative behaviour, and the exercises have a positive impact on our creativity and environment.
Breathing Techniques & Meditation
Meditation and breathing techniques are important elements, which gain more importance as we deepen our practice. Breathing exercises regulate the nervous system and burn a lot of calories by the way! Breath connects the inner with the outer and gives us a sense of being more present and conscious. In the Yoga language „Prana“ means Life force and „Ayama“ means expand or regulate.
Meditation allows us to look closer, to feel and understand how we actually function. Our unconscious thinking process becomes conscious, we realise how much repetition and attachment or thinking ahead is going on in our heads. When we manage to be absolutely present in our mind, our brain is recovering and the brain waves are moving more harmoniously and rhythmically in the alpha brain wave field. whereas in our every day thinking we are in the beta field. Very trained yogis can even achieve the theta or delta field and stay aware.
During meditation we also meet our emotions. We can learn to tolerate them and make them a part of us. Emotions are pure energy if we integrate them into our body flow. When we suppress them they consume a lot of energy. In meditation we experience understanding and recognition for our deeper emotions and learn to accept them which has an incredibly relaxing effect on our nervous system.
