A blend of physical and mental magic that people “bend to” nowadays. But why? And how By Emily Lee Gentlemen or Guys, there’s no need to be frustrated if one day you ask your beloved girlfriend out for a romantic candlelight dinner and are turned down with the line, “Sorry honey, but I have to go to a yoga class this evening.” Though it might seem a little ridiculous, there is no denying that yoga has become popular recently and is gradually becoming loved by women all over the world. Even men could be spell-bounded by the magic of yoga if they would only give it a “bend." WHAT IS YOGA ANYWAY?
The word yoga means “union” in Sanskrit, the language of ancient India where yoga originated. We can think of the union occurring between mind, body, and spirit. The practice of yoga involves stretching the body and forming different poses, while keeping your breathing slow and controlled. The body becomes relaxed and energized at the same time. There are various styles of yoga, some moving through the poses more quickly, almost like an aerobic workout, and other styles relax deeply into each pose. Some are used purely as a form of exercise, while others have a more spiritual angle. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF YOGA? A major benefit of yoga is physical. Flexibility: The stretching that you engage in during every practice helps lengthen and stretch muscles, which helps reduce the risk of injury. Even professional athletes have discovered yoga for its benefit of increased flexibility. Improving Balance: A significant number of people, especially as they begin to get older, start to have problems with their balance, which can lead to major injuries due to falls. By having a greater sense of balance, you are able to move more easily and safely. Pain Management: Tense muscles often contribute to pain. Relaxing your muscles helps to minimize muscle tension and the pain that is associated with it, which can avoid common discomforts, such as back pain and arthritis. Weight Reduction: Though yoga was not meant to serve as a weight reducing activity, scientific research has shown that regular yoga practice can help in weight management. Moreover, as well as losing fat, you improve muscle tone and your level of vitality. High Blood Pressure: By using a combination of biofeedback, yogic breathing, and relaxation techniques, studies have shown that the relaxation components of yoga have a major role to play in the treatment and prevention of hypertension. Respiration Problems: With the help of yogic breathing exercises, it is possible to control an attack of severe shortness of breath without having to seek medical help. Asthma attacks, for example, can usually be prevented by yoga methods without resorting to drugs. Relaxation: Breathing deeply as practiced in yoga, helps relax your muscles and also brings much needed oxygen to your cells. The deep sense of relaxation also leads to better quality sleep. Another benefit of yoga is mental. Focus Your Attention: During yoga practice, you are meant to focus your attention on turning inward and breathing. This concentration allows you to withdraw from the distractions in your environment. A significant benefit of yoga practice is that you can take this ability to focus your attention into every aspect of your life. You can be fully present with whatever you are doing, instead of worrying about tomorrow or regretting yesterday. Not only will your actions be more productive, but you can also enjoy them in a greater way. Reduce stress: Deep breathing helps reduce the hormones that are released when you are feeling overwhelmed, overloaded, and frazzled. The internal focus that accompanies the yoga poses helps create a relaxation response in your body. Release stuck emotions: Often stuck emotions find their way into our bodies. Remember, your mind and body are one, and if you are suppressing any painful emotions, you will often experience that as pain in some part of your body. A benefit of yoga is that by breathing deeply into places in your body that hold tension, you can help release the emotions that may be buried there. You can then examine these emotions and let go of those that do not benefit you. Gain a sense of peace and tranquility: Most yoga practice includes some time for meditation. Regular meditation helps your mind reach a state of inner calmness. It helps you gain control over your thinking instead of being at the mercy of wayward thoughts. THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED YOGA: “I have gotten benefits from yoga that I was not expecting to get,” one student in an NTU yoga class replied. A student who had practiced yoga for two years said that she started it first because of its many benefits. “The changes did not come in one day, but I do feel different gradually. The attitude when I walk has straitened, and my periods are more regular, which was impossible before I practiced yoga!” Take what you need from yoga. For some people, it is simply a class to take where they get a good stretch and a nice balanced workout. For others, it is about releasing tension in the body and the mind, relaxing, and bringing the mind to stillness so you can listen to your heart, so you can learn and grow. Next time, if you are suffering from back pain, or you have a jungle of negative thoughts swimming constantly through your mind that need to be wiped away, try yoga! a
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May 2024
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