Health and fitness: Yoga for a better life
Health is not everthing
But everything else is nothing without health
Recently I started doing Yoga again after quite a long Hiatus/absence-about twenty years. I have been doing other exercise such as cycling and swimming and weights, walking and running. But it was not until I started doing Yoga again that I realised why I was getting so tense and anxious. For one I was not breathing properly. I was constantly holding my breath it seems when a difficult thought or feeling arose. Even after the first class I started to become aware again of my body. Focusing on my breathing helped me realise the importance once again of breath and proper breathing for proper functioning. The long static stretches allowed me to release tension in all sort of places from my ankles and feet to the back of my neck and beyond. Releasing tension anywhere in your body gives you permission to relax your mind and vice versa. There is a link. A mysterious though necessary link link for self preservation between the mind and the body. I intend to practice at the Yoga centre as often as I can.
Breathing is life. It is one of our most vital functions. One of the Five Principles of Yoga is Pranayama or Breathing Exercise which promotes proper breathing. In a Yogic point of view, proper breathing is to bring more oxygen to the blood and to the brain, and to control Prana or the vital life energy. Pranayama Yoga also goes hand in hand with the Asanas. The union of these two Yogic Principles is considered as the highest form of purification and self-discipline, covering both mind and body.
- Breathing....The Right Way (Part-1)
Breathing is the most vital process of the body as it affects the activities of each and every cell in our body, most importantly the brain cells. It is generally seen that most people breathe...
Treat your body as a temple and it will give you peace.
I am convinced that the yoga stretches and poses will enhance your life. You will move better.
You will be more aware of your reactions to everyday events and as such be able to handle them better. The stretching will prevent your from stiffness, pain and injury and maladies from decrease in movement from not doing it otherwise. i am convinced that it can improve the quality of life of every able bodied person. I recommend it highly.
