Yoga And Health

Yoga is an ancient science, which leads to healthy body, peaceful mind, joyous heart and liberated soul. Whether you pursue yoga as a spiritual path or for its psycho-physiological benefits, yoga is a methodology for developing a deeper experience of your self and the world. And it makes you feel really good.Yoga makes you feel better. Practicing the postures, breathing exercises and meditation makes you healthier in body, mind and spirit.Yoga lets you tune in, chill out, shape up -- all at the same time. For many people, that's enough of an answer. But there's more if you're interested.

For starters, yoga is good for what ails you. And that's just the surface stuff. In fact, most of the benefits mentioned above are secondary to yoga's original purpose. According to the yogis, true happiness, liberation and enlightenment comes from union with the divine consciousness known as Brahman, or with Atman, the transcendent Self. The various yoga practices are a methodology for reaching that goal. In Hatha yoga, for example, postures and breathing exercises help purify the mind, body and spirit so the yogi can attain union.Pranayama breathing exercises help clear the nadis, or channels, that carry prana the universal life force, allowing prana to flow freely. When the channels are clear and the last block at the base of the spine has been opened, Kundalini rises through the spine, through the central channel called the sushumna-nadi, and joins the crown chakra.  According to the tradition, the release of Kundalini leads to enlightenment and union. Yoga gives us control of ourselves. It helps cut through the layers of miss-identities that arise in response to our actions, experiences and feelings. It calms the frenzy,clears the clutter and allows us to get back in touch with ourselves.Specifically, research shows that yoga helps manage or control anxiety, arthritis, asthma, back pain, blood pressure, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue, depression, diabetes, epilepsy, headaches, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, stress and other conditions and diseases. What more Yoga: Lowers fat. Boosts self esteem. Improves circulation. Reduces stress and tension. Stimulates the immune system. Improves concentration & creativity. Creates sense of well being and calm. Improves muscle tone, flexibility, strength and stamina. Postures and breathing exercises help purify mind, body & spirit.