Yoga Then and Now

Yoga is an ancient practice that has become an important part of today’s mainstream fitness vocabulary. Everyone has heard about yoga and there are millions of practitioners in North America with new people joining every day. Most people practice yoga several times a week while others practice more infrequently.

Yoga was developed thousands of years ago in ancient India. In Sanskrit, Yoga means to control or to unite. Meditation is a large part of ancient yoga which consists of a series of actions undertaken to quiet the mind and control one’s thoughts. Early practitioners developed postures to facilitate meditation over long periods of time. Yogis remained still for many hours to facilitate a steady mind. However, these long periods of meditation created physiological strains. The asanas (yoga postures) helped stretch and detoxify their bodies to maintain good health and posture during these extended periods of meditation.

Yoga has often been associated with religion but today’s practitioners do not necessarily combine the two. Yogis may or may not include various religious undertones in their practice. The decision to incorporate religion with yoga is a personal one. However, all yoga creates an internal bond with one’s mind, body and spirit. This bond leaves the yoga practitioner feeling connected to himself and most likely to everything and everyone else as well! Yoga induces feelings of inner peace and joy, something which everyone can appreciate.

Today, in western society, yoga has evolved into a form of exercise as well. Several types of yoga are common in studios including: Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Bikram, Iyengar, and Viniyoga. More fitness based classes are offered through gyms which incorporate a physical workout ending with a short relaxation period. For this type of yoga, look for Power Yoga or Fitness Yoga instruction.

Yoga as a form of exercise is effective in burning calories and building strength. Core and abdominal strength is required to maintain proper posture. Downward facing dog and plank poses strengthen the upper body while warrior poses and balancing work develop lower body strength. This creates balance within the body. There are muscles used in yoga which are usually missed in a typical gym workout, ask any newcomer. The simple position of sitting up with a straight spine and breathing deeply can involve muscles throughout the entire body.

There are many reasons to practice yoga including: stress reduction, meditation, burning calories, and strengthening and lengthening muscle mass. Starting to practice is the first step. Search your soul and let your personal intuition be your guide. There are many different paths to this ancient practice, but in today’s world, they all lead to the same place—a relaxed and fit body. The benefits of this personal journey are yours to enjoy!

More on Yoga & Meditation from Naturally Savvy