Yoga may seem mysterious to the uninitiated, but it is simply a form of exercise that stimulates your mind and increases your body’s level of fitness. Yoga means to Yoke – to unite – your mind, body and spirit and was derived from the Sanskrit Indians well over 5000 years ago. Although yoga is ancient, it can and does make people feel 10 – 20 years younger.
Yoga means many different things to many different people. It is rooted in Indian spiritual tradition, and indeed the word yogi means someone who practices yoga.
The word Yoga itself comes from the Indian word, yug, “to unify.” A goal of yoga is to unify your mind, body and spirit, and to bring you to a more relaxed state of being. Unlike other forms of exercise, yoga incorporates movement for physical health with breathing and meditation for peace of mind. When you practice yoga breathing, you are better able to connect inner peace from your mind to every piece of your body.
There are many different styles of yoga, each with its own focus. The two most common types practiced in the United States are Hatha Yoga and Bikram Yoga, also known as ‘Hot” yoga. Each has it’s own style of movement and thought.
Consequently, yoga is not a religion. People who practice yoga can be Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Agnostic or any other religion they wish. Yoga is a time proven method to enhancing mental focus and physical balance to help you function at full capacity.
What Type of Yoga is Right For You?
Hatha Yoga, meaning sun (ha) and moon (tha) has become very popular in the West and is the most physical type of yoga. Yogi’s who practice Hatha recognize that a weak and tired body is a barrier to achieving spiritual enlightenment. Therefore Hatha yoga aims to make your body an ideal vehicle for good health and fill it with energy. Hatha concentrates on postures (asanas) and breathing exercises (pranayama) and meditation, (Dhyana) to energize the mind, body and spirit. Whereas Hatha yoga is generally practiced at a comfortable 72 – 76 degrees, Bikram yoga is practiced in a room that is between 95 – 108 degrees with humidity level of 60%. Bikram Yoga consists of 26 poses practiced for a period of ninety minutes and requires that you are able to exercise in very hot temperatures. If you choose this type of yoga, make sure to stay hydrated with water. If you feel more comfortable at home there are plenty of DVD’s to start you off before you venture out to a class. Just make sure to choose one appropriate for you age and fitness level.
Let’s talk about why you need to practice yoga. Muscle connective tissues have a natural tendency to shorten with aging, as often evidenced in the stiffness of people age 30 and over. Muscles must be regularly stretched to minimize the effect of natural muscle shortening. Flexibility, one of the three primary components of physical fitness, keeps muscle supple and responsive to the demands of daily life activities. Because no matter how strong your muscles are, if your muscles are tight: bending and reaching will become painful.
Yoga helps combat the negative effects of stiffness, pain, disability and stress through relaxation both mentally and physically. The intrinsic rewards of practicing yoga are immense. Yoga offers gentle stretch, strengthening and physical/mental conditioning of the mind, body and spirit that significantly improves lives.
Yoga practice is at an all time high – The Yoga Journal reports that there are now 16 million people practicing yoga in the United States. Yoga may be new to us westerners, but it is over 5000 years old – and it can make you look and feel 10 - 20 years younger.
The Mayo Clinic September 2003 Newsletter reports, “yoga IS effective at relieving stress.”
According to the National Institue of Health, “regular yoga practice can help reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, alter brain waves and assist you heart to work more efficiently.
Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia demonstrated how just one session of yoga can lower blood levels of the stress hormone – cortisol. “Participants cortisol level were measured before and after they practiced yoga, then again before and after they sat quietly while reading or writing. After the yoga sessions, cortisol levels dropped. There was no drop after the resting sessions.”
Youthful Benefits of Yoga
- Increase Flexibility
- Reduce Pain from tight muscles
- Releases Stress and Reduces Anxiety Level
- Weight Loss
- Lower Blood Pressure
- Lower Blood Sugar
- Increase Energy
- Enhance Concentration
- Boost immune system
- Improves Heart Health
- Strengthens respitory system
- Helps you sleep better
- Can help relieve the pain from tension headaces
- Improves your overall quality of life
Suzanne Andrews is the Health and Fitness Expert on WDSC TV’s Healthy Lifestyle Show, the host of Functional Fitness on Public Television and is also a licensed Occupational Therapy Practitioner and specializes in safe and effective health and wellness DVD’s for people age 40 – 80 years.
How Yoga Helps You Release Stress and Regain Flexibility
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