Interesting facts about Yoga that won’t fail to astound you

Yoga is slowly but steadily sweeping the world off its feet. This ancient art and tradition of maintaining your breath to lead a healthier and more fulfilling life seems to have gained momentum in recent months and has managed to take most of the world by storm. Here are some interesting wise facts about Yoga that you will remember long after you've stopped reading this.

The breath trumps all

When it comes to Yoga, the breath is king. Yoga is based on the principle that the mind can be controlled just by paying attention to the way we take breaths. Seems childish and too simple? But go ahead and give it a try. It may seem silly but it really works. In fact there are stories of sages who live in the mountains and are a few centuries old! How…? Simply by breathing properly.

Stretch your mind and the body shall follow

Yup. You read that right. It is all in your mind. Yoga teaches us that a person can be flexible if the said person has control over his/her mind, which means that we must limit our mental intake and stimulation. In other words, stop with all the useless pastimes that you think are useful (hint: hovering over social media sites). Also just being benevolent helps in keeping the mind light and tension-free.

Perfect Poses. Perfect Personality

The postures of Yoga are designed to increase stability and flexibility of the various parts of the body, especially the mind. Not everybody is capable of doing all the postures but after a few years of training, most of the postures can be mastered in turn giving your body that oh-so-desirable look and feel.

Rest-Yoga-Rest

Oh Goodey! news for lazy peeps; for every 30 minutes of doing or holding a posture one must take at least 10-15 of rest. This practice helps in keeping the body in good shape. It also maintains the nervous system without overloading it with effort and sensation. The nervous system is central to Yoga and it should be taken well-care of.

Lungs beat Heartbeats

Most of you will be quick to disagree and say that the heart is the most important organ of them all, but, but, but…you are wrong. In Yoga, it is prevalent belief that since we require air to function and live, the organ that is responsible for its intake and distribution is the most important. Think about it. Will the heart be able to beat if the lungs don’t function?

Breathe on, Dudes and Dudettes!

The fountain of youth is not a myth and we have everything we need to make use of it. A nose and two lungs is all you need if Yoga is to be believed. These body parts when utilized properly result in vitality that lasts as long as your practice of Yoga lasts. The body and mind slowly but steadily function as one unit and that is when your looks are refined to their full potential.

Therefore Yoga is a pretty easy discipline but one needs to treat it with respect and drill daily to achieve its paybacks. Welcome Yoga, welcome a revolution in your body that will bring smile to your mind, body and spirit. Breathe on!

For more information visit the official website of Ministry of Ayush: http://www.indianmedicine.nic.in/

Facebook page: International Day of Yoga

Twitter id: @IntlDayofYoga

Five reasons to start practice Yoga

(Pic courtesy: www.groupon.co.in)

Practicing Yoga is not just about a good physical workout, it’s about obtaining complete mind-body balance and tranquility. Yoga is an ancient Indian practice and its origin stretches back thousands of years ago. Regular practice of Yoga helps in achieving a positive outlook to life and to derive inner balance. We live in a chaotic world where stress has become a common factor. Practice of Yoga can help in reliving this stress and to obtain mental, emotional and physical stability. Many people are embracing the tranquil art of yoga and conceding to its power. Yoga is not just a good workout but rather a way of living.

People, who practice Yoga, cannot stop singing praises of the many benefits of Yoga. But for those who are still skeptical about Yoga, here are some reasonable reasons to inculcate yoga into your routine.  Yoga is not just about mastering couple of tricky poses, it’s about finding your inner peace and strength. With Yoga taking a global plunge today, there is no denying the fact that the benefits of yoga are innumerable.

Yoga Helps in Shedding Calories in an Effective Way

(Pic courtesy: healthshlok.com)

Although the whole Yoga is hip thing might annoy a true Yoga enthusiast, there is no denying the fact that Yoga is a great workout option. Most of the times people take-up Yoga as a workout option to get fit and lose weight. Unlike gym workouts and cardio, Yoga is not strenuous, which is one of the reasons behind the gaining popularity. You can easily adapt yourself with the various techniques and asana and benefit from it. Each movement and posture helps in targeting specific problem areas in the body and attain stability. With regular practice of Yoga, you can easily lose kilos and inches without breaking your muscles. You do not have to dedicate any particular time for Yoga; you can do it anytime and anywhere since you do not require any specific equipment.

It helps in improving sleep

(Pic courtesy: yoga.com)

Insomnia is on the rise and the reason behind is the steadily peaking stress levels in people’s lives. Whether dealing with a personal or a professional issue, stress has become part and parcel of our life. But practicing Yoga on a daily basis can help in improving your sleep to a great extent. Through some specific asanas and postures you can target specific problems that have been affecting your sleep. Some asanas are meant to be done right before sleeping for better sleep and improved health.

Yoga fixes your posture and stance

(Pic courtesy: www.healthstatus.com)

Corporate jobs can be exhilarating but it can take a toll on our health. Desk jobs require constant sitting and working for long hours which can affect ones posture to a great extent. Yoga will help in improving your posture to a great extent and align your back. You will be more confident once you have a more commanding and healthy posture rather than the slouchy demeanor you had. It also helps in proper blood circulation.

Yoga is great or enhancing physical and mental strength

(Pic courtesy: www.pinterest.com)

Yoga is excellent since it helps in striking a mind-body balance and attaining mental and emotional peace. Studies show that yoga helps improve physical as well as mental strength. Specific postures and breathing exercises can improve the functions of your internal organs and enhance mental health. Yoga helps in improving our focus and concentration level and to reach our true potential.

Meditation can change your perception

(Pic courtesy: aboutmeditation.com )

Meditation is a big part of Yoga and it can change the way we perceive our world. It makes us more calm and collected and gives us the strength to tackle any problem that we might be facing. Meditation improves the quality of life and compels us to think through things before taking an action. You will be engulfed by peace and serenity which will automatically make you a better and content person.

These are some of the most important reasons to practice Yoga and embrace the benefits that it has to offer.

For more information visit the official website of Ministry of Ayush: http://www.indianmedicine.nic.in/

Facebook page: International Day of Yoga

Twitter id: @IntlDayofYoga

The Importance of knowing the History of Yoga and Its Benefits

(Pic courtesy: www.bloomyoganj.com)

The very term ‘Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit word which means to unite. Yoga is the practice of uniting mind and body into a blissful union. In a more spiritual context, Yoga is also the unison of the soul and the ultimate supreme self. Practicing Yoga helps us find peace in this chaotic world and help withdraw our mind from the countless distractions and worries of the world. The goal is to go beyond the trappings of the world and find solace and purpose in life. Yoga is a way of living that expects us to live every moment of our life for a greater purpose rather than to fulfill our selfish goals. The modern take on Yoga is somewhat distorted and completely varies from its tradition and history.

Practicing Yoga has suddenly become stylish and hip, but understanding the true essence of yoga is important to truly understand and experience its benefits. The most renowned knowledge and understanding of Yoga comes from the Yogasutras, which is an ancient scripture about Yoga by Maharishi Patanjali. It was practiced in and around the Indian subcontinent and was an integral part of people’s day to day life. Yoga’s many breathing technique is based on the belief that breath is the source of life and controlling breathing helps us control our life in a better way.  Breath control helps in improving health and mental strength. The ancient Buddhist Yoga consisted of the concept of meditation which is a big part of Yoga today.

Yoga: The Idyllic Union of the Mind and the Soul

There are about four type of Yoga namely ‘Hatha Yoga’, ‘Laya Yoga’, ‘Raja Yoga and ‘Mantra Yoga’. The ascetics in the Vedic period used to abolish all material pleasures and pursuits and used to practice Yoga and meditation to feel one with God. The practice of Yoga was then passed on to students for generations and many paintings, scriptures and murals mention the sacred art of Yoga and meditation. Teachings of Patanjali became what are today known as Ashtanga Yoga or the eight limbs of Yoga.

Ashtanga Yoga has eight main aspects and they are Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dhgarana, Dhyana and Samadhi. It is believed that regular practice of Yoga leads to many transcendental states of consciousness. The highest state of Yoga is “Samadhi” which is the stage of unity. It is believed to liberate us completely and pave our way to reaching the Supreme power. There are other amazing benefits that are mentioned in the Yoga sutras. There is in-depth knowledge of the body, mind and our sensory perceptions. It is believed that once you have mastered all the stages of Yoga you will incur supernatural abilities and will have the ability to control your body and consciousness.

(Pic courtesy: www.jsonline.com)

(Pic courtesy: wellbeingmantras.com)

Although the modern take on the practice of Yoga might vary greatly from the true knowledge, history and tradition of Yoga, it’s how you inculcate these teachings is what matters. To learn the true art of Yoga and meditation, it’s important to have a proper teacher. A true Guru will help you to leave all your stress and tensions behind and pursue the union of your soul and mind. These poses and asanas help build character and integrity which makes you a much better person. So, now you know that yoga is not just a cool new workout routine, it goes beyond the mere nitty gritties of life itself.  

For more information visit the official website of ministry of Ayush: http://www.indianmedicine.nic.in/

Facebook page: International Day of Yoga

Twitter id: @IntlDayofYoga

Benefits of Yoga for children

(Pic courtesy: proeduconsulting.com)

Childhood is regarded as the most crucial time period of a person’s life, as this is the time period when an individual lays the foundation of his/her way to shape the career and future. The circumstances and the activities practiced by a child play a vital role in developing the character of the person in the adult stage.

In today’s competitive world, the young children are also suffering from the problem of tension and stress due to changing life style and habits. Whether a school student or college student, they face problems in studies due to extreme competition which results in stress and sometimes many of them commit suicide also. So it becomes necessary that children must be kept away from stress and tension at such tender age.

(Pic courtesy: completewellbeing.com)

Yoga is the best way to maintain mental equilibrium and keep brain calm, which are inevitable for focusing on the tasks. Especially, children and students must practice Yoga for sound mind and healthy body. Below are listed some of the advantages of Yoga if practiced by children:

    

      ·       Yoga helps in maintaining flexibility and strengthens growing bodies:

Practicing Yoga by children helps in the process of strengthening the body muscles as children are born with innate flexibility. With increased strength and flexibility, the injuries become less severe especially when kids are engaged in sports and playground activities.

·       Yoga helps in enhancing concentration:

By practicing certain Yoga asanas and mediation, the concentration level in kids can be increased. Some poses of Yoga are fast moving while others are slow paced. If such poses are practiced by kids, they can learn how to self-control, which will enhance their focus and awareness. By practicing Yoga from Flying Bird Pose (Warrior Three) to balancing in Tree Pose, great attention is required, which develops the skill of concentration.

·       Yoga teaches about present moment awareness:

 According to the philosophy of Yoga, the main focus must be on present moment awareness while practicing Yoga and meditation, because it’s extremely essential to focus on self and if our mind is thinking about the past or future, we are missing the most valuable now. Children’s mind is quite active and by practicing Yoga & meditation, children can be taught to concentrate in the present moment which will help them in concentrating in their academic work and it will also help them throughout their life.

·       Practicing Yoga helps in cultivating a peaceful, relaxed state of body and mind:

Yoga focuses on the mental equilibrium also along with physical strength. If children practice the Deep Relaxation, known as the “Do Nothing Pose” lying on their backs in quiet, peaceful stillness, sometimes with music and a guided visualization, foot massage, or an herbal eye pillow, children can learn the importance of silence and peace which is required for focusing on the task.

·       Stress Management by Yoga:

Yoga is the best remedy for relaxing and reducing stress. Children many times face tension of studies and career. So by practicing deep breathing and meditation they can relax and calm their mental status as breathing exercises slows down the heart rate and meditation relaxes mind and body. Moreover, Yoga teaches non-judgment and non-competition toward oneself and one another.

·       Yoga encourages kind peer and social interactions:

Yoga along with physical fitness lays stress on connecting with the self. By practicing Yoga, children learn that we are all the same inside, despite our outward appearance, race, and religion. By practicing Yoga, children are inspired to be kind, patient, accepting, and emphatic with themselves and their peers.

·       Body awareness enhanced through Yoga:

Children learn about their body by performing Yoga poses which vary in terms of balancing, strengthening, twisting, back bending and inverting. By practicing Yoga, children learn the skill of listening to where in their bodies they feel a movement and express how it makes them feel when they are complete. This skill of body awareness will help the children throughout their life.

·       Yoga teaches discipline and responsibility

Yoga is a discipline; it is a way to live the life. Ideals learned at an early age continue for life time as a committed practice. If children start practicing Yoga at an early stage, it will help them to develop discipline, self esteem and a sense of responsibility at a young stage, which will help them in all their endeavors throughout their life. 

For more information visit the official website of ministry of Ayush: http://www.indianmedicine.nic.in/.

Facebook page: International Day of Yoga

Twitter id: @IntlDayofYoga

The Importance of Being Aware About the Yogic Traditions

(Pic courtesy: metlifestyle.com)

Culture and tradition are two things that are always associated with India and is an integral part of the country. The heritage of India is deep rooted and consists of ancient knowledge and teachings that span centuries. While the nation as a whole has accomplished so much over decades, it still holds on to some of its beliefs and teachings of yore. Yoga has been part of the Indian culture and tradition for centuries now. Although it has evolved and adapted to suit the taste of the modern day Yogi, the core values are still the same.  

The tradition and teachings of Yoga have crossed several borders and people from around the world are adopting it. The modernized version of Yoga has been modified to attract more people. But there are still some places in India that practice Yoga in its true essence. Yoga is a spiritual science which has evolved through hundreds and thousands of years of practice, study, and experience. The union of mind, our emotions, and our soul is what underlies the Yogic tradition.

Researchers say that Yoga was practiced way before the Indus Valley people and there are many wall murals that depict the different Yoga postures and teachings. Although Maharishi Patanjali was the one who jotted down all the information and knowledge regarding Yoga, he was not the one who invented the practice. Yoga had been around even before his time. The teachings were based on from one person to another and evolved with each century.

Strengthen the Mind-Body Connect With Yoga

(Pic coutresy: Thinking in Vedas)

Amidst the teachings of Yoga, there is a huge place for Lord Shiva who is considered as a symbol of the supreme sense of unity and consciousness. The union of Shiva and Parvati is something that many are aware of, Yogic tradition manifests a similar sense of union.  That is a powerful union of the soul with the ultimate self.  Ashtanga Yoga is the one most Yoga practitioners are aware of, but there were other forms and types of Yoga in the ancient times. The tradition of meditation that came from the period of Buddha was also added to the overall practice of Yoga.

(Pic courtesy: yogaclothinguk.wordpress.com)

(Pic courtesy: www.beattractive.org) 

Today meditation and asanas go hand in hand and one is incomplete without the other. Unlike most people think, Yoga is not a religion or Hinduism. Yoga is a way of life which is dedicated to enriching our health and also decluttering our minds. It’s ideal for people who want to lead a wholesome life wherein they are free from a clouded vision of ego, anger and other negative emotions.

(Pic courtesy: www.theresnomagicpill.com)

The underlying philosophy is that of spiritual liberation and discarding impurities from our body and mind. Along with the daily practice of Yoga, the Yogis or ascetics believed in consuming a simple vegetarian fare that enriches the body. The actual practice of Yoga was more intensive and exclusive compared to the modern take on it.  Yoga started with a soothing OUM chanting and breathing exercise to prepare the body for the exercise and then performing all the asanas. It was a way to connect and communicate with God. Although we have left behind a lot of concepts and teachings of Yoga, it still maintains all the important teachings.

The Excellent Savasana – Don’t Sleep, it is really Healthy

(Pic courtesy: singingheartyoga.blogspot.com)

Yoga is a practice of training your body and various systems in your body. But relaxation is must after every practicing session right? Yoga also has a pose which will make you to be relaxed. The relaxation pose in Yoga is called as Savasana. Savasana refers to the corpse pose. ‘Sava’ is Sanskrit term which means corpse and asana is posture. Since the person doing this asana will lie on ground like a corpse, it is named such way. Though it appears so simple, the benefits it gives are really worthy and it is an easy posture to do.

Importance of Savasana

Savasana is absolutely an important practice to be done after every session of practice of other yoga posses. It is much simple to do. A person who does Savasana must lie down on a flat surface (preferably floor) with legs and arms separated at 45 degrees. Now the person must close his eyes and then have to go with dheerga or deep Pranayama. Pranayama is nothing but taking deep breath and holding it for a while and slowly exhaling it. The whole body now is being rested on the floor with the awareness that the chest and abdomen fall and rise for each breath we take. During this practice, all the parts of our body are getting scanned for muscular tensions and if any found will be released consciously or by simple movement of that part. This practice will reduce all the stress in our body. The pose should be released by slow movement of body parts and deep breathes.

Benefits if Savasana

Practice of Savasana will bring you more benefits. Relaxation is always beneficiary. Hence the yoga pose also bring benefits to the person who practice it. Some of the benefits of Savasana are:

(Pic courtesy: yoga.about.com)

·       The asana will reduce the heart rate and thus will reduce the flow of blood all over the body and hence makes the person to move into a deep relaxing stage.  

•        The rate of respiration is reduced. Thus the lungs will get relaxed from continuous working.

·       It reduces the blood pressure. As mentioned the heart rate is reduced and thus the blood flow is reduced which will have less pressure in the blood vessels.

·       Decreased muscle tension. Since the person in Savasana don’t move even a single muscle, all the muscles in his body will get relaxed.

·       The practice of Savasana will reduce a general anxiety. Hence the mind will get relaxed and the person will feel mentally relaxed.

·       Increases the energy levels. Being still always will save energy. This is applicable for every living thing in the world. Thus the Savasana will help you to raise and store your energy levels.

·       Increases concentration and focus of the person.

·       Decreases fatigue and results you with regular and deep sleep.

The Savasana is a best and easy pose in Yoga. Practicing it daily is really good for us. But make sure that you follow the right procedure to attain the best benefits. 

Why You Need To Add Gomukhasana to Your Daily Yoga Practice

(Pic courtesy: aboutyoga.in)

There are several different types of postures and asanas in Yoga and every asana is formulated to heal certain physical, mental or emotional discomfort and ills. Every bend, twist, and pose has to be done accurately if you want to benefit from Yoga. You do not just do the postures and asanas but rather completely indulge your mind and body while trying to get your breathing in sync with the movements. Before you begin, it’s important to free your mind and loosen up your body because a distracted mind can lead to recurrent mistakes when performing the asanas.

There are many asanas that offer health benefits is the Goumukhasana, also known as the Cow face pose. Mastering this pose will be difficult initially, but with constant practice you can easily do it. Gomukhasana means cow face pose in Sanskrit wherein Go means cow and Mukh means face. The asana stretches the body and helps target the shoulders and the hip area. If you suffer from problems like a stiff back, backaches, diabetes and any particular sexual disease then the Cow face pose can be beneficial for you.

Stiffness and inflexibility in the back is a very common issue that many are suffering from today. With our lifestyle getting more hectic, it’s bound to take a toll on our health. Religiously practicing yoga and relying on healthy food is one way to improve your health.

Benefits of Gomukhasana

(Pic courtesy: aayog.com)

   •       Effective relief from back aches and stiffness in the back and shoulders.

   •       It can assist in the treatment of sciatica if practices on a regular basis.

  •       Helps in aligning the spine and improving one’s posture.

   •       If you are suffering from diabetes, then the practice of the Cow face pose is beneficial for you.

  •       It helps in dealing with sexual ailments and strengthens the pelvic muscles.

   •       It stretches the hips, shoulders, inner thighs etc and tones them.

   •       If the asana is done right, then it can improve your balance and stability and strengthen your core.

•       It helps in increasing flexibility and energy levels.

•       It helps open up the chest and facilitate in deep breathing.

•       For women, this asana is great to strengthen and lift the chest region.

Although this asana is suitable for people of all ages, it’s important to make sure that you do not overdo it. If you suffer from knee problems then it is advisable not to perform this pose. Remember that it might be difficult to stretch your hands all the way to interlock them, so try using a towel or rope in the beginning stages. Practicing Goumukhasana helps in promoting relaxation and stimulates positive feelings. People with problems of piles should also avoid this asana.

Within a few weeks of regular practice, you will feel more energetic and strong since your muscles will feel tauter. It is also great for people suffering from blood pressure problems and helps in releasing tension from the shoulder and hip area. The pelvic and reproductive organs will be more toned on regular practice of this asana, which is especially beneficial for women. Benefit from the daily practice of this asana along with breathing exercises and meditation.

No more ditching Sugar when you have Yoga to help

“Yoga is a light, which once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame.”

- B.K.S. Iyengar

Diabetes is a metabolic disease of imbalanced sugar levels in the human body. It is a long-term disease with no proper treatment. Though it can be controlled using certain medications, curing it is still a major question mark for the doctors. But Yoga, the Indian remedy has made it possible for the patients to get relieved from the disease! Now the patients who practice Yoga need not worry about their sugar levels.

Yoga is the natural treatment option for all the diseases. It is magical in healing the deadliest of diseases. It is a reliable solution to all your problems. Yoga stimulates different organs which improve our immunity to a great extent. Diabetes occurs due to insufficient insulin production by the pancreas and can be extremely painful to deal with. Let us view the benefits Yoga has in treating diabetes.

Yoga deals with the Imbalances in your body

Diabetes is a growing disease. Almost 7 out of 10 persons suffer from diabetes. Though it is a metabolic disease, but if not cured or controlled on time, it can affect the body severely and can be a risk to life. But all these cases have one sure shot solution - Yoga!! Yoga purifies the inner body, mind, and soul. It reduces the LDL/bad cholesterol and increases the blood and oxygen supply in the body. Thus, reducing the risks caused by diabetes. Asanas like Dhanurasana (bow pose), Balasana (child pose), Chakrasana, Shalabasanas are effective in dealing with diabetes.

Dhanurasana
(Pic courtesy: download.rbuap.com)

Balasana
(Pic courtesy: www.theyogaposes.com)

Chakrasana
(Pic courtesy: yoga.omgyan.com)

Shalabhasana
(Pic courtesy: www.remediespoint.com)

Yoga boosts body functions

Yoga involves the movement of hands, legs, and other organs and also improves breathing. It ameliorates the pancreatic function and maintains insulin levels to a normal state in the body which is a major cause of diabetes. It aids the patients with a lower risk to high blood pressures and reduces the blood glucose levels. Hence, a powerful weapon to fight sugar!!

 Yoga to control weight

Often diabetes leads to obesity in people and they build stubborn fat in their body. Obesity further leads to many heart diseases. Yoga puts a full stop to the diseases which are an outcome of fluctuations in sugar level. It encourages the proper functioning of all the organs and relaxes the nervous system to a great extent. Yoga allows the body to fight with the stubborn fat accumulated in the body and manages the body weight.

Yoga has become a way of life. With its many benefits to the patients and individuals, it has become a weapon to fight all diseases, big or small. A regular exercise routine can help in boosting insulin levels in your body and maintain strength. Certain poses and meditation and breathing techniques of Yoga help in dealing with weight issues and control your sugar levels. Most diabetic patients have to sacrifice on taste and are denied delicious food. But with the help of proper medication and regular practice of Yoga, you can regain control over your life.  With its benefits in defeating diabetes, the patients don't have to fear and worry about their condition!

For more information visit the official website of ministry of Ayush: http://www.indianmedicine.nic.in/.

Facebook page: International Day of Yoga

Twitter id: @IntlDayofYoga