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The word “YOGA” is derived from Sanskrit, an ancient Indian
language. The literal meaning
of Yoga is addition, or joining
or combining. The practice
of Yoga involves a set of
routines and carefully controlled
lifestyle which help in realizing
inner potential, attaining
higher consciousness level
and aligning or becoming one
with the all pervading consciousness
or energy level. While attempting
to reach the goal, there is
tremendous improvement in
physical, mental and emotional
health. Yogic postures, called
Yogasanas, form one component
of Yogic practices. By themselves
these postures can bring about
awesome benefits in overall
fitness. There are prescribed
methods of doing these exercises.
Basically one has to form
the body in a particular posture,
hold the body in that posture
for sometime and then slowly
come back to what we can call
the posture of rest. These
exercises are characterized
by absence of jerks and slow
body movements. To understand
these exercises better let
us compare them with dynamic
exercises with which we are
more familiar, such as acrobatics,
gymnastics, jogging etc. These
exercises are effective on
muscular, circulatory and
respiratory systems. There
are dynamic Yogic exercises
(different from Yogic posture
exercises) which also stimulate
nervous and glandular system.
All these exercises involve
speed and dynamic body movements
resulting in expenditure of
energy and perspiration. In
Yogic posture exercises there
is deep relaxation and energy
conservation resulting in
freshness. This is basically
a nerve culture as it relaxes
the nerves. The exercise starts
from the posture of rest.
First lie down in this posture,
calm down your breathing,
calm down your nerves and
calm down your thoughts. Then
form the posture you have
in mind with slow body movement
without jerk of any kind.
Posture exercises are accompanied
by prescribed breathing pattern.
This posture is maintained
for prescribed length of time
which may be several seconds
to few minutes. Then come
back slowly to the posture
of rest. After remaining in
rest for 30 seconds to few
minutes, the next posture
exercise is done. This pattern
is repeated for as long as
you wish to do the exercise.
Normally exercise workout
routine for 30 minutes in
a day is good enough for an
average person. Doing these
exercises regularly gives
remarkable benefits. Generally
circulation of body fluids
improves and metabolic activities
become more efficient. Better
blood circulation ensures
more thorough distribution
of oxygen in the body and
more complete removal of toxins.
Additionally each posture
benefits particular set of
organs and muscles. Depending
upon the need and condition
of health, tailor-made set
of exercises can be designed.
Many people believe that life-force
flows in our nerves. When
the flow of life-force is
unregulated and uncoordinated
it provides conditions for
development of body disorders
or ailments from within the
body. Yogic posture exercises
work very well in this area
and prevent ailments. The
overall body vigour and freshness
are maintained. There is a
balance of metabolic activities
and unnecessary growths in
the body are avoided. If you
are looking for general well
being, life free from diseases
and lifetime fitness regular
Yogic posture exercises can
help you. Though these exercises
can be combined with other
work-outs, they can by themselves
provide all the workout routine
you need for maintaining a
good health. Sanjay Johari
regularly contributes articles
to various ezines. See his
site for more information
on health and workout routine:
http://sanjay-j.com/workoutroutine/
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