Yoga For the Mind – Body – Spirit
One of the most universally beneficial practices for keeping your mind and body healthy is yoga. It is also one of the oldest techniques known in the world, having been developed in India and refined over thousands of years. From the Sanskrit word Yuj, meaning to join or unite (as in, unite the individual with God or the cosmos), Yoga has become entwined within the teachings of both the Hindu and Buddhist religions. Some yoga historians believe the practice of yoga is over 25,000 years old.Although there are many different yoga forms, what they share is the philosophy of unification of the mind, body and spirit. It is not, however, a religion, and therefore can be beneficial to anyone without regard to their religious beliefs. The form of yoga most often practiced in Western societies is called Hatha, which literally means sun moon. Hatha yoga utilizes physical postures or positions, breathing methods, meditation and gestures. It is a form of exercise that does not require any high-impact physical activity, however the physical and mental benefits can be substantial.Physical Benefits of Yoga
Yoga, unlike many other forms of exercises, requires mental concentration. If proper guidance and concentration is applied, yoga has been linked to a long list of benefits for all parts of the body. Yoga increases flexibility, muscle tone and strength. It lubricates joints and tendons, and improves posture. It can decrease blood pressure and pulse rate, and improve sleep and energy levels. Yoga can improve respiratory efficiency, digestion, and excretory functions, and can reduce irritable bowel and constipation. Practicing Yoga has been proven to burn calories more effectively than typical high-impact exercise if the required number of hours of Yoga practice and proper concentration are applied. Yoga does not require exhausting and straining muscle activity, so practitioners have less risk of exercise-related injury.Psychological Benefits of Yoga
Because of the integration of mind, body and spirit, the benefits of yoga are not limited to the physical. Those who practice yoga show better memory function, increased learning potential, and better depth perception. It has been linked to better moods, a positive outlook, self-acceptance and a sense of well-being. The combination of meditation, breathing and yoga positions also provides the practitioner with a heightened awareness of their body, making them more able to sense when something goes wrong, such as an infection or other health disorder.Now that you’re convinced of the overall benefits of yoga, how does a novice begin? There are literally thousands of resources available, from books at the local library or bookstore to classes in your community to websites dedicated to yoga. All these can be helpful when just starting out. On the internet, a good place to begin is http://www.nursingdegree.net/blog/23/the-ultimate-guide-to-yoga-100-blogs-tutorials-and-resources/ where you will find a listing of yoga resources covering everything from the philosophy, the positions, the benefits, plus blogs dedicated completely to various aspects of yoga.We wish you well in your quest for health, beauty, and the integration of mind, body and spirit!