The Benefits of Yoga
Yoga is more than twisting the body into complicated poses or sitting in the lotus position. It is the ancient science of right living that completely overhauls one’s entire being and can be incorporate into each and every day to achieve balance in mind, body and spirit.
Physical Benefits
In Classical Hatha Yoga, the postures or “asanas” are held for some time. There are no violent movements that can lead to strain, injury or fatigue. Deep breathing in the posture and in relaxation afterwards prevents lactic acid buildup due to oxygen debt. Unlike other forms of exercise in our culture, Yoga postures work on all systems of the body to provide a systematic toning of all the internal organs and bring the different bodily functions into perfect coordination so they work for the good of the whole body:
- The spine is kept strong and flexible;
- Muscles are stretched and strengthened;
- Joints and ligaments are made more flexible;
- Nerves are toned through pressure on different acupressure points;
- Circulation is stimulated;
- Abdominal organs are massaged;
- Endocrine system is toned and massaged;
- Breathing is made deeper, developing the lungs.
Yoga also teaches the benefits of breathing correctly. Breathing is a major source of energy, however, it is given very little thought. The majority of people have incorrect breathing habits due to tight clothing and tension that results in tightening of the abdominal muscles. This means the body doesn’t get the oxygen and energy that it should. Through yoga, the practitioner learns to use the whole breathing apparatus (the abdomen, diaphragm, lungs and chest) to bring more oxygen to the brain, relax, concentrate and increase energy and vitality.
Mental Benefits
Yoga not only develops the body, it also broadens the mental faculties. Yoga says that there is a connection between breathing and thoughts. When a person gets angry or upset, the breathing becomes shallow and irregular. When a person is relaxed, the breathing is deep and regular. When someone is concentrating very intently on say, a sound, s/he holds the breath. Through the practice of pranayama (control of the prana), the mind can be trained to relax through deep breathing and become focused while holding the breath. This practice will lead to control of the mind.
Spiritual Benefits
The ancient Yogis say that we were not born just to suffer, get sick and die. We are here to investigate and live by spiritual truths that govern all life. However, this spiritual investigation requires a keen intellect and strong will, products of a healthy mind and body. As long as one identifies with the body and mind, there will be worries, sorrows, anxieties, fear and anger. The practice of Yoga acts as a purification for our mind and body, so we can conduct a spiritual investigation of life’s purpose. This is important because the mind is where everything starts. Our attitude towards ourselves and the world around us determines how well we function and interact with others. By overcoming negative thought patterns and replacing them with positive ones, we can achieve peace of mind and happiness, which are essential for physical and mental health.
