Dating back more than 5,000 years, yoga was first introduced in India as a form of meditation. Originally practiced in accordance with Hindu, Buddhist, and Jainism philosophies, yoga is now regarded as a common form of exercise for anyone.
With millions of followers world wide, yoga has become a valuable form of exercise and well being. With a variety of benefits, it’s no wonder why so many people have taken up yoga as a regular practice. With it’s increase in popularity yoga has become both a form of physical exercise and meditation. Most studios offer classes and practices that can be done by people of any fitness level — from beginner to advanced. In fact, one of the many benefits of yoga is it’s flexibility to be customized to each person’s skill set.
Yoga combines physical stretching with deep and controlled breathing. Yoga poses, known as asanas, are practiced in a sequence. A sequence connects a number of poses together, creating a flow or ‘hatha’ practice. Controlling your breathe and connecting your breathe with your movements will optimize your yoga experience.
New students will find it easier to learn Yoga in a group setting or one-on-one with a yoga instructor. Practicing yoga with a group is beneficial because is ensures that you get the best out of your workout. The instructor is present to assist you if necessary, and you are following the lead of the class. Once you become very comfortable with the moves, then practicing at home will be more successful. While it’s great to continue your practice at home, practicing with others in a studio at least once a week will help to keep you motivated and even advanced yoga students enjoy continuing in group classes.
Regular yoga practice can offer great health benefits. Many people practice yoga regularly as a way to get fit or maintain their physique. It can be used to increase flexibility, build muscle tone, and increase cardio-respiratory fitness. Yoga has also been known to decrease blood pressure, as well as have an overall calming effect on the body. Those who are dedicated to this ancient fitness regime will have lower stress levels, better breathing, and higher concentration abilities. It has also been said to help regulate the digestive system, boost immune system function, and lower cholesterol. The list of positive health effects goes on and on. It’s no wonder that this form of exercise has lasted through the millennia.
Because there are so many varied benefits, there are different types of yoga specially designed to achieve specific physical and mental goals. Some of the classes that are geared towards physical goals such as: muscle toning, weight loss, or increased flexibility and endurance. There are also classes aimed at mental goals such as: meditation, stress relief and relaxation.
Yoga can easily be personalized for your individual goals. Whether you need to increase flexibility, or de-stress your life, yoga offers numerous benefits for a healthy body and mind. Check out a yoga studio, try a class or even start with a video or DVD. Achieving wellness through a yogic lifestyle is a path worth heading down.
