Yoga Information

(August 12, 2011)

General information on Yoga

Information On Yoga

The classical system of yoga dates back to around 5,000 years. During the ancient times, the aspiration for long life, health, greater personal freedom, and higher self understanding brought about this system of mental and physical exercise that has spread all around the world. The term ‘yoga’ means ‘to yolk or join together’; thus, yoga brings the mind and body together in unity.

Yoga can be performed by most adults of any physical condition and age. Owing to the gentle nature of yoga, even the individuals with physical limitations can benefit by practicing a yoga routine. The best way to start off with yoga is to get yourself a good video or book or find a qualified instructor. Yoga for children below 16 years of age is not recommended because the glandular and nervous systems are growing, and the different postures can cause an interference with the natural growth. The yoga postures and breathing exercises will be more beneficial when combined with a yogic diet.

Submitted by G M on August 12, 2011 at 01:11

Can I Get Some More Information About Yoga?

Yoga is known to be one of the most beneficial physical and mental disciplines that help you improve both your physical and emotional health. There are combinations of exercises that include both mental and physical disciplines, which allow you to achieve overall well-being.

Yoga is a very ancient discipline, and it is based on a set of traditional philosophies. Yoga is not only a physical discipline, but a way of life, which includes, exercise, meditation, and diet as well. Ashtanga yoga, which is one of the oldest types of yoga, lays out the way of life that yogis follow. This helps them gain a larger control over their physical body, their emotions, and even their spiritual beings.

However, while following the traditional yogic lifestyle can help you immensely in almost all spheres of your life, it is not necessary for you to follow this lifestyle ritualistically. In fact, yoga is a highly flexible discipline that allows you to change it the way you want.

You can have the style of yoga you want and perform it in the intensity that suits you the most. It is a great choice for stress management and fits everyone’s needs, no matter what level of physical fitness they are at. Since this is a highly customizable discipline, yoga also helps you deal with a lot of physical and emotional ailments.

Submitted by s s on July 8, 2011 at 12:13

I've 3 Months Pregnancy So Can I Do My Regular Yoga?

Whether you are a beginner at yoga or you are an expert, you can perform it during pregnancy. A lot of people have the misconception that exercising during pregnancy can be difficult and unnecessary. However, it is important to note that during pregnancy, you will need to have a healthy and orderly weight gain. Doctors have been able to determine how much weight should be gained during each of the trimesters.
There are some yoga styles that are safe to be practiced when you are pregnant. Three months pregnant is the earlier part of your pregnancy and practicing yoga regularly will help you gain weight slowly and in a healthy way. This also helps you lose weight more readily when you have given birth.

You can adapt some of the familiar and simpler yoga exercises for your pregnancy fitness routine. It is also important to note that there are many yoga studios that offer you yoga classes designed specifically for pregnant women. You can also practice meditation and breathing exercises that help you calm yourself down and deal with the symptoms of pregnancy.

Yoga is also a great way to prepare yourself for your labor and the birthing process. It is best to join a class rather than performing the exercises at home.

Submitted by C D on July 8, 2011 at 12:07

How To Become A Yoga Teacher?

Yoga is an excellent physical discipline and one which is fast becoming extremely popular. For people who have been practicing yoga rather regularly, becoming a yoga teacher is simple. There are teacher certification courses that can be undertaken. There are no licenses that are required for you to become a yoga teacher, so you simply have to take a certification course, after which you can join a studio and start teaching batches.

Different styles of yoga have different certification requirements. Since there are a lot of different branches of yoga, you can easily pick one that you enjoy. However, it is important to know that you can get certification in specific disciplines only. If you aim for higher certifications, you can get certified for generic courses as well.

For the certification, apart from the knowledge of the physical exercises, you will also need to have knowledge of anatomy of the human body, philosophy, balancing, sequencing, as well as alignment. You will also need to know about the history of yoga.

It is also important to know that though you may enjoy teaching yoga, it is not a very high profile job and it will not pay you much. The job is also not very secure, and a lot of yoga teachers pick up other jobs as well.

Submitted by A V on July 8, 2011 at 12:03

Yoga General Information

Yoga is an ancient discipline that was first formulated in India. This is a discipline that was devised by sages and learned monks, who studied the human body and the effects that certain exercises and physical poses had on it. Although the oldest manuscripts that describe yoga describe the discipline to have been handed over to sages by Gods themselves, the scientific undertones of this discipline show deep study and research on the human body.

There are several forms of yoga, some of which are as old as the basic discipline itself. Hatha yoga, which is considered to be one of the oldest forms of yoga, has been used as a basis for the formation of many new forms of yoga. There are physical, spiritual and mental disciplines in this form of exercise.

Often, it is believed that yoga promotes Hinduism. However, the truth is that though yoga has been founded by Hindu sages, it is a very non-religious discipline. It is a highly spiritual discipline that promotes being one with God, but more than that, it helps you promote physical and emotional well-being so that you can achieve a higher awareness of yourself as well as the universe. Some of the earliest philosophies of yoga can be found in Patanjali’s ‘Yoga Sutras’.

Submitted by C D on July 8, 2011 at 12:00

The techniques of Yoga are established on three main constitutions: exercise, breathing, and meditation. The exercises in Yoga which are also known as yogasanas are performed with purpose and intent to put pressure on the internal organs of the body, thereby augmenting the body's output and total health. It is believed in yoga that since respiration is the source of life, by altering and boosting the breathing capacity of the individual health can be restored. Breathing techniques in Yoga are known as Pranayama. Yoga alters breathing to build up the health and functionality of both the mind and the body. Through yogasanas and Pranayama, the body and mind are now prepared for meditation. Yoga believes that a quiet mind brings about a feeling of contentment and healing from mundane stress. Steady practice of all three branches of Yoga develops an enlightened and lucid mind in addition to a healthy and fit body.

There are numerous schools of Yoga. Some of these include

Hatha Yoga - in which the bodily motions and postures, in addition to breathing techniques are enhanced. Most people relate with the Hatha Yoga exercise.
Raja Yoga - Raja yoga is also known as the royal road, because of its emphasis on exercise, systematic breathing training alongwith meditation and deep study of yoga, bringing forth an all-encompassing individual.
Jnana Yoga - This form of Yoga is thought to be the hardest form of yoga as it concentrates on acquiring wisdom through much study and practice.
Bhakti Yoga - Bhakti yoga focuses on religious and spiritual enlightenment through the practice of the greatest possible degree or extent of devotion towards one's concept of God.
Karma Yoga - Karma Yoga is practiced with the intention that all types and forms of movement, and activity of any kind which is done, is with focus concentrated on a personal concept of God.

Contrary to popular myth, Yoga is not a religion nor does it ascribe to any particular God. Yoga does not believe in creed or determinate set of beliefs. According to yogic philosophy all energy stems from the individual and modifying this energy leads to good health both in mind and body. Thus, the state of relying on or being controlled by an external figure, either through a person or god-like figure, or religious institution does not arise. Yoga does not come between or gets involved in any religion. Most secular yoga students and practitioners practice Yoga in an intensive manner for many years without comprising or being in conflict with their respective religious traditions.

Submitted by C D on July 25, 2008 at 05:25