Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Yoga Asana for Stress Relief

By Gugu Martini

Yoga in Sanskrit stands for union and it denotes a union or balance between the spirit, body and mind so there is a state of harmony. There's probably no older system for man's personal development than this ancient practice. This has been practiced for almost five thousand years, and it is a certain form of body conditioning that is known to place an emphasis on strengthening the mind and the body, while at the same time stimulating the soul.

Any man that practices Yoga is known as a Yogi, and any woman that practices Yoga is known as a Yogini. The practice is considered to be an applied science that deals with mind and body and it is one among the six famous orthodox systems of Indian philosophy. Comprehending the philosophy of it is a lifetime pursuit and it is just not about squatting in lotus position and chanting.

Yoga is one of the best stress busters. It is also very effective in back problems and posture related problems. The main reason this complementary therapy is used with cancer patients is the feeling of wellness it bestows. Many feel that the best time to perform the discipline is on an empty stomach, before any food is consumed in the morning.

Some of the styles of this discipline are listed below: The Raja yoga is referred to as the kingly form where meditation is the main practice. It is one of the four main paths of yoga where different methods help control the mind, senses, energy and body. Kundalini Yoga: The main component here comprises of the kriyas which are special set of exercises that promise instant results and these are very safe and non-stressful to practice. Hatha Yoga - This is a good system made up of postures called asanas and combining breathing control called pranayama. This is the foundation for all modern posture based types of yoga. The Sahaja yoga is based on the experience of self realization that resides within each individual. This is a unique way of meditating. Moksha hot yoga is an exclusive method which has the combination of healing yoga and the basics of conventional yoga and this is practiced in an especially heated room.

Yoga has become extremely popular both among adults and children. It is a discipline that is beneficial to all ages. Yoga has become the fastest growing and most popular exercise trend of all because it isn't something that is necessarily done to you as it is something that you do. During pregnancy this is one of the best activities you can do safely. You build flexibility and endurance and it is gentle on the body. Among soldiers this practice is fast gaining popularity as they can improve their stamina, mental focus and flexibility. This was reported by Fit Yoga as well as the Associated Press. Therefore, it shouldn't be viewed only as a physical exercise but as a practice as well, which creates a much greater sense of inner harmony and well-being. - 16463

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