What is yoga?

The word "Yoga" in itself is like a complete science that unites body, mind, soul, and universe. The history of yoga is about 5000 years old, known in ancient Indian philosophy as the practice of mind and body. Different styles of yoga combine physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation or relaxation.

In recent years, yoga has carved a niche for itself as a form of physical exercise and today it has become popular around the world that promotes better control and well-being of the mind and body. There are many different types of yoga practice. Yoga and many other disciplines. With the help of this article, let us try to throw light on the history of yoga, various postures, its advantages, and disadvantages.

If the different postures of yoga are not done properly, then they can prove to be fatal for you. 

Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit language 'Yuj' which means union of the soul with God, that is, yoga has so much power, that it can make you attain immortality. Some people misunderstand yoga to be simple, but it is much more than that. Yoga is primarily a spiritual discipline, in which the full essence of lifestyle has been assimilated.

Yoga is an art as well as a science. It is a science, as it provides practical ways to control the body and mind, making deep meditation possible. And it is an art, unless it is practiced instinctively and sensitively, it will give only superficial results. Yoga is not just a system of beliefs, but it takes into account the effect of body and mind on each other and brings them into mutual harmony.

Yoga works primarily to circulate energy in the body through pranayama, or energy-control. Yoga (yoga asana in Hindi) teaches how, through breath control, a higher place of mind and awareness can be achieved.

History of yoga

Although no written evidence is available about the discoverer of yoga, it is believed that yoga originated in our country India. The 2,000-year-old "Yoga Sutras", written by the Indian sage Patanjali on yoga philosophy, are considered a complete guide to controlling the mind and emotions and developing spiritually. The Yoga Sutras are the earliest written record of yoga and one of the oldest texts in existence. It provides the framework for all modern formulations.

Yoga is quite famous for its postures and asanas. Fitness was not the primary goal of yoga, but yoga practitioners and followers also focused on other practices, such as expanding spiritual energy using breathing techniques and mental meditation.

Even after such a long history, yoga started gaining popularity in the late 19th century. Interest in yoga exploded after the 1920s and 1930s, first in India and later in the West.

Note: Male yoga professionals are known as yogis, and female yoga professionals are called yoginis.

History: Yoga originated as an ancient practice whose origins can be traced back to 3000 BC in India. Stone-carved figures of yoga postures can be found in the Indus Valley, showing the original postures and practices. Yoga was developed to establish harmony between the heart and the soul on the path to divine enlightenment. Plus, it was discovered that yoga has been shown to help treat many diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and reduce physical injuries and chronic pain. Yoga has helped in curing many diseases. And as yoga continues to become increasingly popular outside of India and in so many different cultures, the practice has been channeled into teachings and means in many different schools. Let us know what is the status of yoga in India and how is it.

(International Yoga Day)

International Yoga Day was first started in India on 21 June 2015. The resolution given by the Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) was approved and June 21 was proposed to be celebrated as International Yoga Day.

Now the question arises why only 21 June? The answer is – 21st June is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and holds a special significance in many parts of the world, so the honorable Prime Minister suggested this day.

After the yoga session in the year 2018, the officials presented a Guinness World Records certificate which read, “On 21st June 2018, Patanjali Yogpeeth, Government of Rajasthan and District Administration Kota, Rajasthan received the largest yoga lesson in which the largest amount of People participated".

Yoga Poses

Modern yoga has evolved with a focus on exercise, strength, flexibility, and breathing. It helps in enhancing physical and mental wellness. There are many styles of yoga, and no style is more authentic or superior than the other. The different types and styles of yoga include the following:

Ashtanga Yoga: This form of yoga uses the ancient teachings of yoga. However, it became most popular during the 1970s. Ashtanga yoga is primarily a combination of six postures that combine the process of rapid breathing.

Bikram Yoga: Bikram Yoga is also known as or by the name of "Hot" Yoga. This type of yoga is mainly performed in an artificially heated room with a temperature of about 105 degrees Celsius and 40 percent humidity. It consists of a total of 26 poses and a sequence of two breathing exercises.

Hatha Yoga: This is a general term for any type of yoga that teaches physical postures. "Hatha yoga" classes usually serve as a gentle introduction to basic yoga postures.

Iyengar Yoga: In this form of yoga, correct alignment of all the poses is done using various props like a blanket, pillow, chair round long pillow, etc.

Jivamukti Yoga: Jivamukti means "liberation while alive." This type emerged in 1984 and includes spiritual teachings and practices. This type of yoga focuses on increasing the speed between poses rather than focusing on the poses themselves.

This type of focus is called Vinyasa. Each class has a topic, which is explored through yoga scriptures, chanting, meditation, asanas, pranayama, and music. Jivamukti yoga can be physically intense.

Kripalu Yoga: This type teaches the practitioner to know, accept and learn their body. Kripalu's student learns to practice his level by looking inward. Classes usually begin with breathing exercises and gentle stretches, followed by a series of individual poses and final relaxation.

Kundalini Yoga: Kundalini means "to be coiled like a snake." Kundalini yoga is a system of meditation that aims to release the energy buried in the mind.

A class usually begins with chanting and ends with singing. In between, it adapts asanas, pranayama, and meditation to produce a specific result.

Power Yoga: In the late 1980s, practitioners developed this active and athletic type of yoga based on the traditional Ashtanga system.

Sivananda: This is a system based on the five-point philosophy. This philosophy states that proper breathing, relaxation, diet, exercise, and positive thinking work together to create a healthy yogic lifestyle. Usually, it uses the same 12 basic asanas, booked by Surya Namaskar and Savannah asanas.

Appropriation: Appropriation can adapt to any person, regardless of physical ability. Appropriation teachers require intensive training and are experts in anatomy and yoga therapy.

Yin: This is a calming and meditative yoga practice, also known as Taoist yoga. Yin yoga allows the release of tension in major joints, including:

Ankle

knee

hips

full back

neck

shoulders

Prenatal or prenatal yoga: This yoga is performed prenatal and yoga uses postures that practitioners have designed for people who are pregnant. It can help women get back to their old shape after pregnancy as well as support a healthcare pregnancy.

Relax Yoga: This is a relaxing form of yoga. A person can take this yoga class in four or five simple poses. It does not require any extra effort to hold a pose, just you can do relaxing postures with the help of some props like blankets, round pillows.

Yoga postures

The different postures of yoga are as follows-

1. Permanent Yoga

Konasana - First

Konasana II

Katichakrasana

Hastapadasana

Half cycle

Trikonasana

Veerabhadrasana or Veerabhadrasana

Parasarita Padahastasanam

Vrikshasana

Paschim Namaskarasana

Garudasana

Utkatasana

2. Yoga for sitting

Janu Shirsana

Paschimottanasana

Purvottanasana

Ardh Matsyendrasan

Baddhakonasana

Padmasana

Marjarisana

A Pada Raja Kapotsana

Infant bed

Chowki Chalansana

Vajrasana

Gomukhasan

Lying down in the posture of abdominal yoga

Vasisthasana

Lower mouth lust

Capricorn downward oral sex

Dhanurasana

Bhujangasana

Salamba Bhujangasana

Opposite Shalabhasana

Shalabhasana

Upward oral sex

Yoga lying on your back

Navigation

Sethu Bandhasan

Matsyasana

Pawanmuktasana

Sarvangsan

Halasan

Natarajasana

Vishnuasana

Shavasana

Sirsasan

Benefits of Yoga

If you are looking for reasons to do yoga? Here we have mentioned the many benefits (Benefits of Yoga in Hindi) such as increasing the health of your heart and the flexibility of your body with the help of yoga, which is as follows-

Improves your flexibility

Increases muscle strength

Perfect your postures

Prevents cartilage and joints from breaking

Protects your spinal cord

Strengthens the health of your bones

Increases your blood flow

Boosts your immunity

Maintains regular heart rate

Lowers your blood pressure

Regulates your adrenal glands

Makes you happy

Provides a healthy lifestyle

Lowers blood sugar

Helps you focus

Relaxes your system

Improves your balance

Maintains your nervous system

Relieves stress in your limbs

Helps you get a good night's sleep

Prevents IBS and other digestive problems

Gives you peace of mind

Increases your self-esteem

Eliminates your pain

Gives you inner strength

Risks and harms of yoga

If you do yoga under the guidance of a well-trained instructor, it is extremely safe and beneficial for you. But in some cases, it can be harmful to you. Some of the risks and disadvantages of yoga are-

If you get hurt due to yoga, it can be an obstacle in your continuous practice. But serious injuries due to yoga are very rare.

If you are pregnant or suffering from any medical problem like high blood pressure, glaucoma or glaucoma sciatica, etc., talk to your doctor before practicing yoga. In such cases, some yoga postures may need to be changed or avoided.

If you have recently started learning yoga, you should avoid extreme situations and difficult techniques, such as headstand, padmasana, and forced breathing.

If you are doing yoga for a health problem, take special care not to ignore the traditional medical care for that problem and do not replace yoga with that problem. Consult your doctor for pain or any other problem.

Practicing yoga helps to develop the body and mind, although it cannot be used as a substitute for any medicine. It is very important to learn and practice yoga under the supervision of a trained yoga teacher. In case of any medical condition, practice yoga only after consulting your doctor and your yoga teacher.