YOGA FOR HEALTH

PEOPLE IN YOGA SESSION

"The pose begins when you want to let go"

By Comfort Joseph,Lagos.

Source: Google

if you thought yoga is all about bending and twisting your body into strange positions,think again.yoga is much more than that.yoga is in a nutshell, taking care of your body,mind, and overall well-being.yoga is an art and science of healthy living,wherever you go today, you hear people talking about the multiple benefits of yoga and attesting to its indispensability in daily life.it is no surprise,considering the significance of yoga in the resolution of physical and mental problems all over the world today.it focuses on bringing the body,mind and breath into harmony through breathing exercises and meditation.it is hard to find a wellness trend that has enjoyed more sustained buzz than yoga. The word YOGA was derived from the Sanskrit word yuj which means to join' or to unite'. this union is not merely about your nose touching your knees as you bend to touch your toes! the union referred to is that of your mind with your body. you integrating with your surrounding and nature,your individual consciousness with the universal consciousness.

yoga is a systematic practice of physical exercise,breath control,relaxation,diet control,positive thinking,and meditation aimed at developing harmony in the body,mind and environment. the practice entails low-impact physical activity,postures(called asanas),breathing techniques(pranayama)relaxation,and meditation.most people are familiar with the poses of yoga positions but don't know the health benefits with it.

HISTORY OF YOGA

the practice of yoga is believed to have  started with the very dawn of civilization. the science of yoga has its origin thousands of yeas ago long before the fist religions or belief systems were born. in the yogic lore,shiva is seen as the first yogi or Aiyogi and the first Guru or Adi Guru. Several thousands years ago,on the bank of the lake Kantisarovar in the Himalayas, Aiyogi poured his profound knowledge into the legendary Saptarishis or "seven sages". The sages carried this powerful yogic science to different parts of the world, including Asia, the Middle East , Northern Africa and South America.interestingly,modern scholars have noted and marveled at the close parallels found between ancient cultures across the globe. However,yoga's origins can be traced to northern India over 5,000 years ago. the word yoga was first mentioned in the ancient sacred texts called the Rig Veda. the Vedas are a set of four ancient sacred texts written in Sanskrit.it was in India that the yogic system found its fullest expression. Agastya the Saptrishi who traveled across the Indian subcontinent,crafted this culture around a core yogic way of life.

what makes yoga particularly unique is that it combines the mindful benefits of meditation with physical poses also known as "asanas".so you're not just training your muscles to handle life's challenges in the way you move through the poses,but you're also using the power of your mind to keep you grounded."we spend so much time on autopilot,checking off things on our to-do list .yoga can help people slow down" says Sherwin."when you do yoga,your nervous system calms down and you get out of that fight-or-flight state"just sitting and breathing can be yoga, you are aware ,you are in the moment and you can find peace in the moment".

yoga didn't originate as an exercise program,but some styles have been adapted into workouts focused on the physical parts of the practices says Edward Laskowski,MD, a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist and the former coordinator of Mayo clinic sport medicine in Minnesota."people have different goals coming into yoga.some may do yoga for the contemplative or meditative part of it and some people might want more of the exercise and activity part"anything that elevates our heart rate for a consistent period of time is beneficial to overall fitness,he says "the heart is a muscle,and when you challenge it by elevating your heart rate you make it stronger".

there are many different styles of yoga ,including hatha,vinyasa,Ashtanga,and even hot yoga such as Bikram.but if you're new to the practice,a hatha class may be a solid start,since it is gentle and teaches you basic poses that are the foundation for other forms of yoga. beginner program can run from 6 to 8 weeks.those a little more experienced may want to try a beginner vinyasa or Ashtanga class, which tend to be more vigorous and quick paced. Hot yoga is done in a heated room, which makes the practice more challenging,so it is generally another great option for more seasoned yogis(in non-pandemic times,at least)

BENEFITS OF YOGA BEYOND THE MAT

yoga is an excellent approach to improve flexibility and strength,while all those yoga poses can seem intimidating at first ,it is actually a very approachable form of exercise,and that is one of the benefits anyone curious about the practice should be aware of.the poses are designed to strengthen and align your muscles and bones,which helps relieve tension in your body and mind, increases blood flow. in the health fields,yoga techniques are being applied in health promotion programs,substance abuse treatment programs,and as a complementary treatment for diseases such as anxiety,disorders,depression,coronary heart diseases.

(1) increase flexibility

(2)increased muscle strength and tone 

(3)improved respiration,energy and vitality

(4)maintaining a balanced metabolism

(5)weight reduction

(6)cardio and circulatory health

(7)helps in lowering blood sugar

(8)helps with back pain relief

(9)improves mental health

(10)helps with stress relief 

(11)attainment of inner peace

(12)smoking cessation

yoga helps in eating habits,weight loss and weight loss maintenance,and cardiovascular health. A meta-analysis found that yoga intervention helped middle-aged people with a body mass index(BMI) of 25 or higher to lower their blood pressure,another study found that yoga motivated nearly two-third of people to exercise more,and 40% of people to eat healthier.  Yoga may help people with certain health conditions and chronic diseases manage pain and other symptoms,and with overall quality of life.

Yoga professes a complete system of physical,mental,social and spiritual development.