Stretching
Your Mind and Your Body
In
the past few years there has been a renewed interest
in a type
of exercise that dates back 4000 years ago. Yoga, derived
from the Sanskrit word yogah, means "to unite or join
together" the body and the mind. The most common type
of yoga taught in the United States is hatha yoga which
includes exercise and relaxation practices. An estimated
three to five million Americans regularly practice yoga
as a way to increase fitness, to relax and to achieve
mental clarity.
Yoga consists
of deep breathing practices and asanas, or the yoga postures.
The asanas consist of gentle stretching, balancing, and
resistance movements and involve nearly every muscle
of the body. Although yoga is not as strenuous as aerobic
exercise, it can be quite rigorous especially if the
movements follow in a sequential manner. The headstands
and other inverted postures can improve circulation,
and these in combination with relaxation exercises, can
reduce blood pressure.
Yoga is
an excellent way to tone and strengthen muscles. The
asanas require that you maintain balance while supporting
the weight of your body, and you can increase resistance
by shifting your center of gravity. The stretching exercises
also promote flexibility and improved coordination. Poses
are executed gradually so there is less risk for injury.The
gentleness of yoga makes it an ideal exercise for people
who suffer from back pain, arthritis, or other chronic
conditions.
Perhaps
the most significant benefit of regularly practicing
yoga is the feeling of well being that is achieved. The
diaphragmatic breathing releases muscle tension and has
a meditative effect. It also allows the blood to circulate
throughout the body, which improves organ function and
increases immunity. Although yoga is not a religion,
many people who practice yoga claim that it deepens their
appreciation of the spiritual side of life.
