Introduction to YOGA
The word “yoga” means “to unite” and refers to the fusion of body, mind, and spirit (soul) through meditation, breathing and physical postures. They were developed to strengthen the body, improve health and prepare for meditation. In a modern yoga practice, the postures may serve any or all of these purposes.
We’re pretty sure this isn’t the first time you’ll be hearing this, but we will say it anyway: Yoga is more than just fitness routine, it’s a meditative and spiritual practice, and it is a lifestyle. If you want to have a better understanding of yoga and the breadth of its practice, the best way to do this is to hire a teacher for yoga (in the beginning only). Yogis who teach yoga to beginners will tell you what you need to know about this age-old Indian practice, including how you can practice and make use of yoga in daily life.
What makes yoga unique is its focus on developing your body’s balance.
This focus is what makes yoga a great practice for most people under care, as mindful yoga practice can reinforce therapies and adjustments.
One of the reasons why yoga is so helpful in improving balance is its contribution to your ability to sense where your body is in space. For example, close your eyes and try to touch your finger to your nose. Seems easy, right? But without good proprioception, you can’t do so.
Yoga is one of the few exercises done on bare feet, where the majority of the body’s balance centers are located. That means the more time you spend moving around barefoot, the better your body awareness and, in turn, balance.
Body, Mind, and Soul
The benefits of yoga are pretty amazing, from physical strength to mental clarity to an overall feeling of positive energy.
Physical benefits include:
Better posture
Less digestive and other health issues
Mental and emotional benefits include:
Better stress management
More focus
Better memory
Greater control of emotions
Spiritually, yoga can offer:
Deeper connection to purpose
More joy
Increased optimism
Harmony of Body, Mind, and Soul
So now we understand that yoga is as physical as it is mental and spiritual. The benefits you will get from practicing even just yoga for beginners cover all areas of our being: the mind, body, and soul. Practicing yoga in daily life will help you find and achieve harmony in these three aspects of being by showing you how these elements are all interconnected and are what completes an individual’s sense of being.
You may already know of the physical benefits of yoga, such as improved posture, increased lung capacity, flexibility, and increased strength in the joints and muscles. But while you do various asanas to enjoy these benefits, you are also simultaneously learning to focus on your breathing and find your inner core. One of the philosophies of yoga is that strength, focus, and spirituality is dependent on the energy that flows within your body and through your core. Once you are able to learn and master these things about your body and your being, you will learn to achieve harmony in your body, mind, and soul.
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