Finding your Zen in Yoga
Discovering your understanding and knowledge of the history of Yoga.
Yoga is an ancient practice for achieving wholeness in training and life. Yoga is holistic and multifaceted, teaching about knowing oneself and the world around one. It was an extremely closed system in ancient times because the techniques and practices were compelling and gave real power.
This is a precise science, with many specific exercises and techniques that allow you to realize your inner potential, reveal the colossal physical and mental abilities inherent in every person, and maintain excellent physical shape. Yoga comprises asanas (exercises), breathing techniques, and meditations (both passive and active), so it develops a person holistically - through the body, mind, and emotions. Although Yoga is originally a spiritual practice, spirituality is only a tiny part of it in large cities. Many techniques are tailored to the students' tasks, emphasizing working with the body and breathing.
There are numerous yoga schools, teachers, and styles available today. Some follow traditional teachings, while others combine new and ancient techniques, so Yoga offers something for everyone. Yoga is appropriate for all ages, genders, religions, and levels of physical fitness. At the same time, Yoga is not a sport or a form of fitness in the traditional sense. There is no need to set goals or compete: this is a personal practice, even if it is done in a group setting.
Life's frantic rhythm, multitasking, and much information contribute to self-destruction, tension, stress, blocks, and clamps in the body. We don't move much, sleep poorly, eat on the go, and have no idea how to unwind. Yoga is a tool for all levels of self-recovery, self-regulation, and self-discipline.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a Buddhist teaching that has been practiced since 2500 BC. The concept is an English translation of the Pali word sati, which means intention, pure attention, reception, and heart presence. It is a broad and multifaceted concept that encompasses formal meditation and a way of experiencing the universe, life, and oneself.
The story of how this subtle and ancient Eastern discipline came to be embraced by the West begins in the late nineteenth century when British Empire colonists encountered Buddhist practices in India and were astounded by the peace and self-knowledge of those who practiced them. Inspired by this curiosity, a group of European and North American aristocrats founded the Theosophical Society in Madras in 1875 to investigate and disseminate this ancient knowledge. Jiddu Krishnamurti, a leading figure in that movement, detailed mindfulness practice in several of his books.
Meanwhile, other relevant figures from the West were forging new links with the wisdom of the East: Richard Wilheim, responsible for the prologue of that first translation of the oracle, made history by integrating deep psychology with spirituality in his work, heavily drawing on contemplative practices from the Asian tradition.
Mindfulness is the act of being aware of your surroundings without passing judgment. It means that you are fully present in your body and mind and are not distracted by thoughts or other distractions.
Mindfulness in Yoga prevents you from being distracted by your thoughts during a pose. When practicing Yoga, it is critical to focus on keeping yourself stable in the carriage. Assume you begin to think about something else while doing a pose, such as how friendly your instructor's smile is or how much money you're spending on yoga classes. In that case, you'll most likely lose your balance or twist into a dangerous position for your body.
Try not to be distracted by thoughts of other things, such as work, school, or even the weather outside, when practicing Yoga poses with mindfulness! Be aware of what is going on right now: your breath moving through your body, the way your muscles work together to hold this pose as long as possible.
The Benefit of Practicing Yoga
Everyone who has ever heard of Yoga is aware of its health benefits. Yoga is frequently limited to two facts: it reduces stress and increases flexibility. However, a complex regular practice can provide much more!
• Yoga strengthens the immune system.
Numerous studies have found a direct and strong link between yoga practice and human health. Every time a woman works on herself on a yoga mat, her immunity improves, and her overall health improves. According to Norwegian scientists, all changes occur at the cellular level.
Yoga classes require you to breathe deeper and more intensely, which improves blood flow and makes your internal organs work more efficiently.
• Relieves migraines
Migraine is a "women's disease," but it also affects men. However, it is much less common in the more vigorous sex. Relaxing yoga exercises have been shown to relieve and shorten migraine attacks' duration. The effectiveness of asanas can be seen in the first lessons, but they are most effective in the future. After three months of consistent practice, the intensity of migraine pains and the number of attacks decrease.
• It gives a lasting rejuvenating effect.
Yoga classes are said to have a strong rejuvenating effect and to be able to "turn back the clock" in ancient texts. Yoga instructors recommend focusing on the inverted asana - Viparita Karani Mudra, which translates to "mental posture."
Repeating the asana daily and gradually increasing the exercise duration is recommended for a long-term age-related effect. It should be 30 minutes by the third month of classes.
Yoga practitioners promise that six months of training will result in the removal of wrinkles and gray hair.
• Helps with depression
Yoga can help a woman who cannot cope with her emotions and is plagued by panic thoughts, fears, and complexes.
According to Duke University research, regular practice treats psychological problems and effectively combats stress and depressive disorders. Regular exercisers feel better and recover from depression faster.
• Improves sex life
A healthy sexual life is enjoyable and beneficial to one's health. According to a study published in the American Journal of Sexual Medicine, asanas and pranayamas improve female libido. Furthermore, the best results are seen in women under 45! The experiment participants admit that their sexual desire increased, and their orgasms became brighter.
True, they did Yoga for 12 weeks to achieve such impressive results.
Distinct complexes, in addition to improving sexual life quality, strengthen pelvic floor muscles and prevent prolapse of the uterus and other pelvic organs. The Mula Bandha complex is one example.
• Effective for insomnia
In most cases, insomnia occurs in the context of increased anxiety. Yoga's spiritual practice understands how to work with it. Harvard researchers discovered that eight weeks of daily exercise significantly improved the quality and length of nightly sleep.
Other studies have been conducted to demonstrate the benefits of Yoga.
As a result, researchers from the University of Rochester discovered that doing Yoga twice a week helps cancer survivors feel less tired and sleep better.
• Relieves menstrual pain
Yoga can be started at any age if there are no medical contraindications. Each step in Yoga should be done under the supervision of an experienced mentor; otherwise, the results of the classes will be disappointing.
Women's Yoga must include asanas and exercises that relieve menstrual pain and, as you get older, help to delay the onset of menopause and alleviate the unpleasant symptoms that come with it. If a woman is overweight and at increased risk of arthrosis, regular exercise will reduce all risks and help her lose weight.
• Reduces blood sugar levels in pregnant women
Dr. Robin Monroe's research at the Yoga Therapy Center in London found that practicing Yoga for 30 minutes a day for a month helps to lower blood glucose levels in diabetic pregnant women.
Classes included twisting exercises for the spine, relaxation, meditation, and stretching exercises.
• Restores the figure after childbirth
Yoga assists a woman in navigating all stages of pregnancy with minimal discomfort. It relieves back pain by strengthening the muscles of the spine. Breathing exercises can help prevent uterine hypertonicity. And the ability to breathe properly, as well as the high endurance gained through daily exercises, aids in childbirth.
Postnatal Yoga is a specific type of Yoga recommended after a child's birth. Starting in the sixth week after childbirth, specially designed complexes must be performed. Exercise helps to strengthen the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles, allowing you to recover faster and achieve your prenatal figure.
• Promotes weight loss and gaining a beautiful figure
Women's Yoga has unique dynamic complexes for weight loss and body shaping. They are usually practiced under the supervision of a qualified instructor. One lesson lasts at least an hour and is scheduled thrice weekly.
The complex includes active pranayama for fat burning, exercise normalizing a woman's hormonal background, and relaxation. An integrated approach promotes effective weight loss and aids in the "sculpting" of a beautiful female body that is toned, slender, and sexy.