Frequently Asked Questions On Yoga
Yoga has been around for an incredibly long time and over that period
different practitioners have added their own refinements and styles into the
basic Yoga discipline. There are so many
different styles now it is nearly impossible to count, but they all stem from
the same core philosophy and methodology.
Unfortunately the multiple different styles often lead newcomers to the
exercise discipline to become very confused as to what they are doing and what
they can hope to achieve with Yoga. In
this article we answer some of the common questions.
What is Yoga?
This question is the most common from newcomers. Most people have a general idea but they are
not sure where Yoga fits into the world.
Is it an exercise? Is it a
philosophy? Is it a form of physical
therapy? Is it a spiritual process? The answer is that to different people Yoga
is all of these things. At it's core it
is a group of exercises and poses which are very low impact and work by
strengthening the body and increasing it's flexibility through static
exercise. This means that each pose will
'stretch' a certain area and the body benefits from this stretch by increased
blood flow and energy release. Many of
the exercises release tension from areas of the body that regular activities do
not cater to. Because Yoga is performed
slowly and with a strong emphasis on correct breathing patterns there is also a
strong mental and spiritual element to the exercise. It is seen as a way of cleansing mind, body
and spirit.
Do I Need To Be Religious To Get The Most
Out Of Yoga?
As
mentioned above Yoga is different things to different people. There are many people in the world who
perform Yoga purely for it's spiritual benefits. There are many others who perform Yoga purely
for the physical benefits associated with it.
What you get out of Yoga will depend largely on your mindset, your
openness to new ideas and your ability to let yourself fall fully into a
meditative state. For some people this
is very difficult at first, but that is still not going to prevent them from
getting the physical benefits associated with Yoga classes. You will find that even if you do not have
any strong spiritual base you will still benefit from an increase in your self
confidence and personal contentment.
Where Can I Do Yoga?
Practically anywhere. Many people
practice Yoga in their homes every day.
Others will go to the local park and practice Yoga with a group of
friends. To begin with it's a good idea
to inquire at your local gym about Yoga classes, many of them will be holding
Yoga every day. Even if they aren't they
will be able to tell you where the best place to learn Yoga is. Some local councils sponsor Yoga classes in
their area in recognition of the benefits to people who exercise
regularly. One of the big advantages of
a Yoga based exercise regime is that there is no expensive equipment to buy and
then store around your house. Some poses
are assisted by cushions to support the body, but in general the only thing you
need is your body.
I'm Not Very Fit - Is Yoga For Me?
Yes. Very much so. One of the fantastic things about Yoga is
that the exercises and poses you will learn can be adjusted to your level. Fitness isn't usually a problem because the
exercises are slow and often static, but your body will become better at
performing them over time as your strength and flexibility improves. Knowing your limit and ensuring that you
don’t ‘ease up’ out of habit gain the best benefit.
Hopefully you will now have a good understanding of what yoga is and why
you should be doing it. Remember that
Yoga is something that once learned can be practiced anywhere you like and as
often as you like. Indeed, this is one
of the key components of Yoga's popularity.
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