Information about yoga with benefits of yoga practice, about yoga

Yoga, meaning union in Sanskrit, is a family of ancient spiritual practices, and also a school of spiritual thought that originated in India , where it remains a vibrant living tradition and is seen as a means to enlightenment. Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Raja Yoga are considered the four main yogas, but there are many other types.

In other parts of the world where yoga is popular, notably the West, Yoga has become associated with the asanas (postures) of Hatha Yoga, which are popularly considered there as fitness exercises and also form the basis of an expanding business

In recent times humans are becoming lazier as they are inventing more machines to help them in their daily household chores, and also at their workplaces. People work for hours together glued to their office chairs, leading to near total absence of any physical activity for their bodies. Smoking, eating at odd hours, stress and other factors are also leading to early degeneration of the human body. People are inflicted with ailments of the Heart, Liver and Spine quite early in their lives, which is a
recent phenomenon.

Yoga and health are interlinked. Yoga is a science that has been practiced for thousands of years. Yogis view that the mind and the body are one, and that if it is given the right tools and taken to the right environment, it can find harmony and heal itself. Yoga therefore is considered therapeutic. It helps you become more aware of your body's posture, alignment and patterns of movement. It makes the body more flexible and helps you relax even in the midst of a stress stricken environment.

Yoga is useful in :-

Increasing flexibility of the body leading to better health

Helping to lose excess flab and weight - another cause of ill health.

Massaging the internal organs of the body and the rarely stimulated parts such as the thyroid gland.

Helping to treat several health disorders - like diabetes, asthma, backaches and arthritis

Yogic postures not only strengthen and tone the muscles, tissues, ligaments, joints and nerves but also maintain the smooth functioning and health of all the body's systems.

The postures relax the body and mind allowing both to recover from fatigue and weakness, a product of the stresses of daily life. It also helps to re-energize your energy levels and helps in your everyday levels of enthusiasm.

You will find that your sleep will improve and that you may even need less time to sleep as your rejuvenation levels and abilities will improve.

Yoga poses also boost the metabolism, lymphatic, circulation and hormonal secretions. It also helps bring about a chemical balance within the body which is crucial for everyday living.. It is important to keep practicing throughout your life, look to adopt this practice into your weekly schedule.