Spiritual Yoga
How is yoga different from other exercises?
Yoga is a spiritual path which is done in supreme consciousness. Various postures are practiced in yoga which is called as asana. Yoga is done to achieve health and fitness. It also involves gaining of peace and spirituality and achieving positive outlook to wards life.
There are eight stages of yoga discipline which is yama (abstaining), Niyama (observance for purity), Asana (postures), Pranayam (Breathing techniques), Partyahara (Withdrawing the senses), Dharana (Concentration), Dhyana (Meditation), Samadhi (Attainment of supreme consciousness)
There are various yoga postures that are carried out to elevate the essence of life or Kundalini present at the back of the spine. It involves a series of mental and physical exercises. Physical exercises are asana and postures that are specific for different illnesses or disorders and mental exercises are meditation and breathing exercises and pranayam which are essential to gain concentration. It helps in development of mental, physical and spiritual well being. Yoga helps in enhancing the concentration and attention. It helps in maintaining a balance or equilibrium. It can improve on the personal power. It helps in eliminating the negative blocks or toxins in the body. It can help in achieving self awareness. It reduces stress and tension and brings about mental peace.
For carrying out yoga exercise you just need a mat and clean and quiet room. The mental state needs to be healthy and sound. Almost all Yoga postures can be performed by all age groups.
Exercises are physical activity that is essential for improving the physical health and the well being. It is done for weight management, improving the athletic skills, muscle development and improving the cardiovascular muscles. It helps to improve the strength and involves in fat and calorie burning and improves the immune system. It can also help to prevent diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, obesity and metabolic syndrome.
There are types of physical exercises like: Flexibility exercise like stretching, aerobic exercise like walking, running and cycling and hiking and anaerobic exercise like weight training, functional training and sprinting. In certain exercise, equipments are essential like dumbbells, treadmills or weights to perform the activity. Vigorous exercise needs to be done only under the supervision of the trainer and advice of the doctor.
Thus physical exercise helps in maintaining the physical health, muscle development, management of various disorders and for physical well being.
Yoga is involved in the development of mental, physical and spiritual development whereas other exercises are involved in physical development only.
Submitted by R J on August 17, 2008 at 11:09
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