Five reasons to start practice Yoga

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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/

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The Importance of Being Aware About the Yogic Traditions

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.