Yoga
Before you begin practicing yoga, it's helpful to understand just what it is, and what it can do for you. The word yoga simply means 'union' in Sanskrit – which explains the strong relationship it promotes between the mind, body and spirit.
The History of Yoga
Yoga first began around 5000 years ago, and many scholars believe it to have originated from Stone Age Shamanism. At this time the main goals of yoga will have been to heal members of the community both physically and spiritually.
The oldest recorded teachings of yoga are found in the Vedas, which are the oldest known scriptures in the world. The classical stage of yoga spanned over the first few centuries BC, though it was the post classical stage in which yoga began to be practiced by more people.
In recent decades, yoga has now become more and more popular, with many masters of yoga opening schools across Europe and North America. All yoga institutions have their own unique beliefs and practices, and many today are now less spiritual, and more physical, than the forms from which they were originally evolved.
Yoga Poses
There are many different styles of yoga, but all of them are based on yoga poses. Many people think of these as stretches, but the truth is that yoga goes far beyond this. The real meaning behind performing these poses is to create balance through the body and, in turn, improve flexibility, build strength and improve posture.
The way that yoga poses are performed will differ from style to style. Some make use of flowing movements, meaning that the poses are moved between relatively quickly, and others will hold them for longer periods of time. This makes some forms of yoga more energetic than others.
The Physical Benefits
The popularity of yoga has spread quickly, and many people in the Western world now use it to benefit from many of the physical aspects. Yoga is a great way to stay healthy, keeping people more fit and making them feel more comfortable with their bodies. Yoga can also be used for weight loss, especially when a vigorous style is practiced.
Practicing Yoga
When it comes to practicing yoga, methods are always changing and developing with time. When you first get started you may be overwhelmed with the number of poses that are used, but with time these poses will simply come naturally to you.
Some poses are more difficult than others, and it's important to learn how to do them correctly. This is why classes are recommended for most beginners, though it's also possible to watch how the poses are performed using yoga DVDs.
