Yoga Case

YOGA

There are many types of exercises found in gym classes and in the health centers today. They range anywhere from extreme weight lifting to aerobics, to cardio dance routines. Each type of exercise promotes a different result, for example muscle tone or better cardio vascular health. However one of the most popular and successful exercise routines found today is Yoga.

The science of Yoga dates back more than 5,000 years, with stone carvings in the Indus Valley illustrating human figures in Yoga positions. The Sanskrit word “Yog” (pronounced as Yoga) comes from the root “yuj” which means, to unite or integrate. Yoga then is the science or technique to integrate the body with mind or about the union of individual self (atman) with the highest self (Brahman) through a process of sublimation. Someone who practices Yoga or follows the Yoga philosophy with a high level of commitment is called a yogi or yogini.

Yoga is one of the six orthodox schools in Hindu philosophy i.e. Nyāyá, Vaiśeṣika, Sāṃkhya, Mimāṃsā, Vedānta and Yoga. A Hindu sage named Maharishi Patañjali who talked about some of the most widespread Yoga principles and practices of his time, compiled one of the earliest texts written on the subject of Yoga. The book was called Yoga Sutras, and was written as early as the 1st or 2nd century B.C.

Originally, Yoga was practiced only in the Hindu religion and its offshoots such as Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism etc., though today the Yoga teachings are surpassing all the barriers such as cultural, religious and racial, more and more people are joining various schools of Yoga worldwide.

It wasn’t until the late 1800’s that yoga was introduced in the United States however it wasn’t until the 1960’s that it was popularized as a stress reducing and positive health and well being technique. Today, many physicians recommend Yoga practice to patients at risk for heart disease, back pain, arthritis, depression, and other conditions. Yoga is a low impact exercise that is mainly based on three principles such as exercise, breathing, and meditation that balance the body and mind. It is designed to put pressure on the glandular systems of the body, which increases its effectiveness and overall health. Breathing techniques are based on the concept that breath (prāṇa) is the source of life in the body.

Yoga experts believe that the goal of yoga is to develop “self-mastery”. They feel that oneself sets all limitations in life. Ill-conceived beliefs, poor habits, and unconscious living create these limitations and that we should learn to the inner and outer worlds. Another major goal of yoga is to have a "union" between our various parts into a whole, which has integrity, power, and effectiveness, we want our bodies to work as one. By increasing your awareness of yourself as a conscious being it allows us to take control of our actions.