When you’re brand new to yoga, it may well feel intimidating and be challenging to know exactly where and how to get started. Our yoga for beginners guide was created precisely for you — to give you all the tips, guidelines, and recommendations that you will need to start a successful yoga practice.
A Brief History Of Yoga
“Yoga” is a very old term. Its earliest roots can be found in the text called Vedas, which are around 3 000 to 5 000-year-old texts which originated in India. Also, the term “yoga” appears in other Indian texts, such as the Bhagavad Gita.
So what does “yoga” mean? Simply put, yoga is “compatibility”. “If two things are compatible with each other, are in accord with each other, it’s a fantastic idea to put them together. This is called yoga. That said, there are many different kinds of yoga. In particular philosophical texts, yoga is a state of mind which has nothing to do with physical postures and movements.
In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali text, which is a text compiled by an ancient sage named Patanjali, many different ideas of yoga are brought together under one umbrella. The result is structured guidance on how to achieve a yogic state of mind. As Patanjali explains it, yoga encompasses eight limbs (or steps) that essentially serve as guidelines on how to live a profound and purposeful life. These limbs are a prescription for moral and ethical conduct as well as self-discipline. They direct attention toward one’s health; and they help us acknowledge the spiritual aspects of our nature.
What Are Some Of The Advantages Of Yoga?
The sheer power of yoga in the West isn’t totally lessened, although. In fact, yogis keep on coming back to their mats owing to the practice’s many benefits. Studies show that yoga are able to improve physical health by reducing blood pressure, lowing the risk of heart disease, and aiding digestion. It may also assist practitioners sleep better and manage stress. Not to mention that recent research indicates the mind-body practice that supports mental health, particularly; one study found regular yoga may assist with easing depressive symptoms.
Why You Should Practise Yoga (Or Become An Expert)
We live in a society where our minds and nervous systems are constantly stimulated by exciting things like the action offered by a Canada casino online. Yoga provides the space to slow your mind down and rebuild a sense of balance. In 2016, Yoga Journal and Yoga Alliance did a study called Yoga in America. It found that 36.7 million people were practising yoga. That’s a 50% increase from 2012!
It’s not clear what the direct reason is for this booming growth and increase in the popularity of yoga, however such interest may be ascribed to the promising benefits that yoga and mindful practices offer.
Do I Need To Have A Flexible Body To Practise Yoga?
If you are young or old, flexible or tight, fit or unfit, a regular practice of yoga strengthens the body and also calms the mind. Contrary to popular belief, physical flexibility is neither the pre-requisite nor the goal to practise yoga.