What is yoga?
Yoga is an ancient and complex practice that is rooted in Indian philosophy. It began as a spiritual practice but has become popular as a way of promoting physical and mental well-being.
Although classical yoga also includes other elements, yoga as practiced in the United States usually emphasizes physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation (Dhyana).
There are many different yoga styles, ranging from gentle practices to physically difficult ones. Variations in the kinds of yoga utilized in research might have an effect on study results. This makes it difficult to judge the analysis of the health effects of yoga.
The first mention of “yoga” appeared in Rig Veda. It can be traced back to northern India over 5,000 years ago.
Origin of Yoga
“Yoga” is the word that radiates peace and tranquility. This feeling probably stems from the etymology of the word.
The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Yuj’ which means “to join” or “unite”. The union means the individual self uniting with Cosmic Consciousness. Yoga is a means to achieving this goal.
Born in India, almost 26,000 years ago, it is believed to have evolved during the period of the ‘Sat Yuga’, also known as the Golden age. This period became known as a time of everlasting peace and blessings, filled with seekers of the Eternal Truth. That’s why even nowadays we associate yoga with sages and hermits.
It was not until the discovery of the Indus valley civilization, that the knowledge about the origin of yoga surfaced. Excavations give evidence of yoga’s existence during this period; yogi-like figures engraved on seals have been unearthed.
Health benefits of yoga
- It helps in improving health by relieving stress, supporting good health habits, and improving mental and emotional health, sleep, and balance.
- Relieve lower-back and neck pain, headaches, and knee osteoarthritis.
- Helps in losing extra weight.
- Helps in managing anxiety or depressive symptoms.
- Help with chronic diseases and improve quality of life.
Risks of Yoga
Yoga is mostly thought of as a secure sort of physical activity for healthy individuals once performed properly, under the steerage of a professional educator. However, like alternative styles of physical activity, injuries will occur. The foremost common injuries square measure sprains and strains, and also the elements of the body most typically separated square measure the knee or lower leg. Serious injuries square measure rare. The chance of injury related to yoga is not up to that of higher-impact physical activities.
To reduce your chances of getting hurt while doing it:
- Practice it under the guidance of a qualified instructor.
- If you’re new to yoga, avoid extreme practices such as headstands, shoulder stands, forceful breathing, etc.
- Pregnant women, older people, and people with health issues should talk with their health care providers and yoga instructor about their individual needs. They may need to avoid or modify some yoga practices. Some of the health issues that may call for modifications in yoga include preexisting injuries, such as knee or hip injuries, lumbar spine disease, severe high blood pressure, balance issues, and glaucoma.
