Yoga and It's Benefits

              If you’re one of the few people who hasn't caught on to the yoga wave, no worries. We hope to give you a small introduction to yoga basics. To begin with, yoga focuses on the physical and spiritual improvement of the mind and body. There are “eight limbs” of yoga that help you reach enlightenment

• The way you behave (Yama): This is about encompassing and advocating the behaviors of non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, continence and non-possessiveness.

• Your attitude towards yourself (Niyama): Being clean, content, austerity, studying sacred texts and studying yourself, and surrendering to God.

• Physical pose (Asana): Through freeing our mind and body of stress and tension you are performing asanas. They are done in preparation for meditation to relax and rejuvenate the body.

• Breath control (Pranayama): Controlling and regulating your breath helps to make the connection between your state of mind, nervous system, and level of life energy. 

• Withdrawal of the senses (Pratyahara): This is the process of being aware of yourself, undistracted from the world.

• Concentration (Dharana):  This prepares you for meditation, as you focus on your breathing and nothing else.

• Meditation (Dhyana): This is where people spend most of their time, in meditation. This is a constant, uninterrupted observation without a special focus. The goal is to increase awareness and unify oneself with the universe.

• Enlightenment (Samadhi): This is the most difficult state to achieve. It requires much experience with the eight limbs of yoga. It is said that one experiences unity with the universe, infinite peace, harmony, and awareness.

Benefits of yoga:

• Lessons chronic pain (lower back, arthritis, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome)
• Lowers blood pressure
• Reduces insomnia
• Increased flexibility
• Increased muscle strength and tone
• Improved respiration, energy and vitality
• Maintenance of balanced metabolism
• Weight reduction
• Cardio and circulatory health
• Improved athletic performance
• Protection from injury
• Stress management
• Improved mental well-being

Yoga moves for the beginner:

• Seated Forward Bend
• Seated Straddle
• Downward Dog
• Downward Dog Split
• High Lunges
• Planks
• Side Planks
• Camel Pose

http://www.osteopathic.org/osteopathic-health/about-your-health/health-conditions-library/general-health/Pages/yoga.aspx

https://yoga.com/