Health & Fitness: Self Improvement

Yoga originated in ancient India. In the well-known ancient scriptures and texts like the Upanishads, the Bhagavad-Gita, the Yoga Sutras (which are the principles of yoga enumerated and explained by Patanjali), yoga is described as a means of training the body and the mind, or as disciplines, for spiritual insights into the nature and purpose of existence. There are several branches of yoga, but the one that deals with various body postures (asanas), called Hatha Yoga, is of relevance to us here.

Hatha Yoga involves a series of body postures and movements accompanied by appropriate breathing techniques. It also is coupled with suitable eating habits, meditation practices and positive thinking. The mind, the body and the spirit have to be synchronized for best results. The best part of it is that it is independent of your individual spiritual beliefs and religious faith.

The effectiveness of the several techniques of yoga in promoting physical, mental and spiritual health has long been proven and established all over the world. Modern scientists have confirmed the various benefits of hatha yoga, including the therapeutic benefits for some ailments, which depend on the particular body postures adopted in practice sessions and the frequency and regularity of these sessions.

Yoga makes you emotionally balanced, which is a great benefit. You will get rid of your fatigue, as yoga is extremely good for boosting your energy levels. It gives relief for insomniacs. It drastically reduces mood swings and counters stress. It improves concentration and helps you focus better on whatever you choose to do. Yoga also tones up your muscles and joints. Your vital organs, the heart, the lungs, the endocrine glands, the liver and so on function more efficiently due to yoga. It helps in fighting obesity and achieving your ideal weight. People who practice yoga correctly and regularly have experienced numberless physiological and psychological benefits. The overall quality of your life improves, with better health and physical fitness, if you take to yoga in a suitable way.

For physical exercise as a means of maintaining good health and physical fitness, you have several options like gymnastics, aerobics, outdoor games like football, hockey, tennis etc., and athletics and so on. You can include yoga among them. Yoga has a number of advantages. It does not need any expensive equipment. Just a good carpet covered with a clean sheet of cloth will do. It can be practiced indoors or outdoors, singly or in a group, and the year round. Everyone, irrespective of age, can do it. It is suitable for both men and women.

There are of course certain very important restrictions and rules you have to observe for doing yoga. The most important is that you have to learn the various techniques of body postures and breathing from a qualified and trained yoga expert. Wrong techniques will only harm you. You have to practice yoga on an empty stomach. Some asanas may not be suitable to you, if your physical state, age and ailment history are taken into consideration. Therefore, it is essential to get yoga lessons from a certified and registered yoga teacher for better training.

Related posts:

1. Fitness and Self Help with Yoga
2. About Yoga
3. Everything people need to know about yoga

Source: http://newshealthfitnessworld.blogspot.com/2012/09/self-improvement_9.html

the secret life of bees full moon aubrey o day masters live johan santana viktor bout ncaa hockey