Yoga, and the benefits of yoga are generally defined as a Hindu discipline that helps unite body and mind. It is usually practiced as part of physical discipline in the West with the goal of achieving perfect spiritual insight and a state of serenity.
The benefits of yoga practice are nothing new. It has been recognized for many years as the perfect discipline to help one find peace, improved health and a longer life.
Many people see the benefits of yoga as some strange discipline in which the yogi is involved in unnatural positions, strange activities of the body and on top of a mountain somewhere in India. I personally remember many years ago a television documentary featuring a yogi who split his tongue, used it to clean his sinus cavities! Anyone interested in yoga has probably also seen images that support a great supply of genitals.
In this modern age, a lot has been learned about the benefits of yoga. Yoga practitioners achieve greater mobility, longevity and inner happiness through their art. We know today that yoga aims to unite the mind, body and soul. The mysticism of Hindu discipline is no longer a myth, and is accessible to all who wish to learn.
Yoga practice is broadly divided into three categories - yoga posture (asanas), yoga (pranayama) and meditation.These sections embrace the physiological, psychological, and biochemical effects. In addition, physicians compared these results with Western practices of jogging, aerobic exercise, and weight training and found comparable results.
The most popular style of yoga in the West today is hand yoga. It is designed to focus on a person's physical well-being and in practice the believer considers the body as the vehicle of the soul.
Ananda Yoga, a classical style of hand yoga, uses asanas and pranayama to awaken the subtle energy in the body, to gain experience and control, and to focus on the seven chakras.
Anusara (a-nu-SAR-a) yoga is defined as "stepping into the flow of the heart's will", "following in your heart" and "moving with the present of the divine teachings". This new style developed by John Friend is defined as "yoga that flows from the heart."
It is heart-centered, spiritually inspiring and based on a deep knowledge of the alignment of the external and internal bodies. It is based on the principle of hand yoga and the practice of biochemistry. Students in this discipline base their practice on attitudes, actions, and alignment.
Astanga yoga is probably the perfect yoga for those looking for a serious workout. The Astanga was developed by KK Pattabhi Jois and it is very demanding physically. One-of-a-kind currents are used to create energy, flexibility and stamina, moving quickly from one posture to another. This style is not good for beginner practice, as it requires 6 series of difficulties. The physical need of the limbs is not to start the journey of casual physician-linked fitness.
Named after the founder Bikram Chowdhury, Bikram Yoga is practiced in a room with temperatures up to 100 degrees. Twenty-six seats are performed in a general session, focusing on warming and stretching muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Each posture is accompanied by a sigh of relief, a "breath of fire" by the practice of this style to cleanse the body, release toxins and promote ultimate flexibility. One must be in very good physical shape to practice Bikram Yoga.