by Sofia Moreau

Yoga, deriving from Indian philosophy, has steadily grown popular in the West. It isn’t merely a physical exercise but a pathway towards unity amid the mind and body. The term yoga means ‘to unite’ in Sanskrit, which refers to self-connection with the universe. It instills an incredible state of calm through movement, mindfulness, and regulated breathing hence, leading to self-control and better body conditioning.

Caught in a constantly demanding world where we are expected to be ever-available, yoga gives us an opportunity to breathe freely, move without restrictions, and reconnect with self. It also boosts body reshaping- offering transformation in body aesthetics and self-perception.

The Dawning of Yoga

About 2,500 years ago, an Indian sage called Patañjali wrote the earliest yoga guide- Yoga Sutras. It clarified yoga as ‘citti-vrtti-nirohdah,’ a Sanskrit phrase about the cessation of the streaming mind. Today’s definition of yoga remains virtually unchanged and emphasizes stilling mind chatter by focusing on alignment and breath in postures, mantras, breath, or an object during a breathing exercise or meditation.

Health and Wellness Rewards of Yoga

Emerging research unveils meditation’s realistic benefits, from stress and depression relief to enhanced immunity and anti-ageing effects. Mental health professionals, educators, and even modern healthcare are recognizing that mindfulness and ‘living in the moment’ offer pay-offs to ordinary individuals needing less time, devoid of religious conversion. Here are some of the perks associated with non-mystical meditation:

Mindfulness, at its core, aims to note the present moment. Over time, even two or three minutes per day can lead to being happier and more relaxed. Mindfulness can apply to various activities, including eating, sitting, walking, and even working.

Flow involves very deeply focusing on something you love doing, like gardening or writing. Immersing yourself in a task can lead to a state of ‘flow,’ a natural form of meditation.

Movement, as demonstrated in Yoga ‘asanas’ or sports like swimming or running, has always been a part of meditative traditions. Frequent practising, even breaths, focusing on the body, and opening your senses to your environment are all key factors.

Five Essential Principles of Yoga for Novices

The ultimate targets of yoga are gaining control over your body – its cravings, passions, urges – via your mind. Patañjali’s definition of yoga encompassed methods like breath control and maintaining steady body poses, now known as hatha yoga. Over the span of thousands of years, hatha yoga has seen significant evolution but sticks to its basic principles.

Exercise: Yoga Asanas hydrate, strengthen, tone, and stretch the body. Unlike traditional exercises, these also put emphasis on energy conservation.

Diet: The Yoga diet comprises natural, digestible foods promoting physical and mental health.

Breathing: Yoga highlights the significance of proper breathing to release energy for bodily and mental transformation.

Relaxation: Regular relaxation releases tension and recharges the body, even when tired and overworked.

Meditation: Positive thinking, kindness, and meditation render the mind more controllable and resistant to impulsiveness.

Modern Yoga & Its Emergence

20th-century teachers from India developed unique systems within the hatha tradition. Western enthusiasts learned from these masters, triggering the West’s yoga boom. With celebrities adopting yoga, it is now more popular than ever, boasting styles like dog yoga, acrobatic yoga, and disco yoga.

Yoga and the Mind-Body Connection

While the human mind time-travels between past and future, the human body dwells strictly in the present. Harnessing yoga practices can result in a healthier body inside and out. A significant by-product of an increased mind/body connection are clearer skin and an improved physique.

Yoga, Indian Philosophy, Mind-body connection, Modern Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Meditation, Asanas, Mindfulness, Flow, Movement, Health, Wellness, Relaxation.