The Spirit of Yoga

by Sandy Millies

 

Yoga means to join or unite. The union between body and mind. Yoga exercise includes controlled breathing and focused concentration, leading to strength, balance, flexibility, mental clarity, and stress release. Practiced for thousands of years, the focus of Yoga was traditionally union with the true self. Today the goal is relaxation, physical fitness, inner strength, vitality and well being. Yoga practitioners discipline themselves in order to balance emotions, mind, body and soul, to ultimately connect with their inner spirit.

Yoga creates balance through movements, relaxation and holding poses, or asanas. Postures are performed in slow, controlled, fluid movements, emphasizing quality over quantity of movement. Yoga renews the body's flexibility and is preventative and therapeutic, having both physical and mental benefits. Practicing Yoga can build and improve muscle joint mobility, strengthen and tone muscle, relieve back pain, create balance, aid in weight loss, correct posture, and increase circulation. Through Yoga exercise you center your attention and focus to quiet the mind, bringing health, harmony and happiness.

There are different types of Yoga. Hatha is the most popular form in the Western World. There are also four paths to Yoga; the most common being Raja, the path of self-control. Hatha Yoga is part of Raja, and combines postures with deep breathing. Spirituality is still an important underlying theme to most practitioners called yogis.

Many people consider Qigong as effective alternative to Yoga. It is often called "Chinese Yoga."

Deepak Chopra, MD, says “Like Yoga, Qigong teaches you to balance energy in your body. Master Chunyi Lin has developed an easy-to-follow program that will allow you to incorporate the health benefits of Qigong into your daily life.”

 

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