The Benefits of Taking up Yoga
Why take up yoga as a discipline when there are so many alternatives to choose from?
The answer to that question can be complex or simple depending upon the individual.
It could be that you are seeking inner peace and calm, something that many of us desire in this stress filled world. Maybe you are feeling constantly tired and need to boost your energy in some way. This of course can also be attributed to being under constant stress.
But health problems do not stop at stress and lack of energy, so many of us have problems with back pain and seek a natural way to relieve aches and pains without resorting to pain killers. And then there is weight loss, quite often with stress comes “stress eating” which piles on the pounds and losing that weight is not as easy as it was to put it on.
There are a variety of diet and exercise regimes that will address these problems but a good yoga program can address all these problems.
It does not have to be an expensive fitness, both of mind and body, program to begin. A good yoga supplies retailer will be able to provide you with basic exercise equipment to get you started on your available budget.
Yoga For Beginners - 7 Most Common Reasons Why You Must Start Yoga
Have you noticed the growing trend of people who practice yoga? Maybe you have thought about taking a yoga class but have reservations about the benefits of practicing?
There are many reasons why you may think about starting yoga. From my experience as a Sivananda Yoga Teacher and based on talking with my yoga students here are seven common reasons why you may want to start to learn yoga. Maybe one of these reasons applies to you.
Seven Most Common Reasons Why You Start Yoga
1. Yoga for Stress Relief.
A gentle yoga practice at the end of a stressful day is the ideal way to unwind and relieve tension from your body. This has to be the most popular reason why you start yoga. You're life is busy and full of conflicting demands. The constant hustle and bustle of modern day life means you have trouble switching off and relaxing. The essence of yoga is to encourage you to relax, take time out of your busy schedule and be present and focus on your breath. This instantly calms your mind and relaxes your body.
2. Yoga for Back Pain Relief
Have you ever suffered back pain or experienced sore, tense muscles? Yoga exercises are designed to gently stretch your muscles, increase the range of flexibility in your joints and bring suppleness to your spine. For example, yoga poses, such as the cobra, the locust or seated forward bend, all help to soothe your aching back.
3. Yoga for Inner Peace and Calm If you are going through an emotional crisis or recovering from a severe illness, chances are you feel unhappy and unsettled about your situation. When you feel unhappy or down, your mind is agitated and it takes longer for the body to heal. Yoga breathing exercises and meditation practices help to promote a sense of ease and calm within the body and mind.
4. Yoga for Weight Loss
Yoga is the ideal exercise to encourage you to lose weight and develop positive eating habits. Yoga philosophy promotes a vegetarian diet based on natural, unprocessed foods.
In addition, yoga encourages you to be conscious of how you eat. Prior to eating, you bless your food and Give Thanks to the hands and souls who worked to grow your food and deliver it to your local supermarket. This sense of reverence and respect for what you eat and how you eat means you take time to select foods which nurture and nourish your body. Instead of mindlessly eating foods, on -the-go, or in front of the TV, from a yogic perspective, you consciously chew each morsel, the more you chew and take time to enjoy and digest your food, and the deeper is your sense of fulfilment from eating.
5. Yoga for Personal Development
Underpinning the physical aspects of yoga is a philosophy and way of living your life which guides you towards enlightenment. The ultimate goal of yoga is to unite with the divine and live a life of harmony and inner calm. The Yoga Sutras offers you a broad range of ethical and practical guidelines to living a healthy harmonious life. Many students gain inner strength, clarity and awareness of themselves through studying The Yoga Sutras
6. Yoga for Energy
Have you ever felt tired and zapped of energy? Yoga exercises can be used to stimulate and energise your mind and body. Blocked energy is released through the chakras, which correspond to key nerve centres or plexuses in the body. As the blocked energy is released you feel energised and revitalised.
7. Yoga for Health
Yoga offers you a truly holistic way of living your life. The physical postures promote a strong and healthy body, the philosophical guidelines offer you a simple natural way to experience life, meditation practices and breathing exercises all promote vitality and ease and comfort within your body.
As you can see, there are many reasons why you may consider practicing yoga. All reasons are valid. If you are thinking of starting yoga, take your time to find a qualified yoga teacher and enjoy your yoga journey.
"And now I would like to invite you to claim your Free Instant Access to my Special Report "Yoga Exercises and Breathing Exercises to Ease You Into Your Day" when you visit http://www.yogainspires.co.uk/pages/ntathusfreeyogaandmeditationtips.php - Start your day with a smile, a relaxed body and a more peaceful mind."
From Ntathu Allen - Sivananda Yoga Teacher and Registered Polarity Therapist.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ntathu_Allen
http://EzineArticles.com/?Yoga-For-Beginners---7-Most-Common-Reasons-Why-You-Must-Start-Yoga&id=2263671
What are the Benefits of Bikram Yoga?
Bikram Yoga aims at detoxifying the body with the aid of synchronized breathing and yogic movements
Hot Yoga | What is Hot Yoga and What are the Benefits?
Yoga, Hot Yoga, the differences and benefits for an individual
Just Why Should You Start to Practice Yoga?
Like many things, the reason normally starts because there is a need that requires a solution. There can be many reasons why a person may feel the need to follow a discipline
What is Lotus Yoga?
What is Lotus Yoga is not what beginners at the yoga discipline normally ask as their first question. Maybe the second after what is yoga
Yoga - What are the three most popular forms?
It may come as a surprise to some that there is not just one form or style of yoga.
Yoga Supplies - Choosing the Right Yoga Mat
If you thought that a yoga mat was, well just a yoga mat, then read on
Yoga - What do you need to know?
Take away the smoke that surrounds yoga and look at the basics and it becomes clear that yoga can be very good not just for the body but for the mind as well.
