- enhance awareness
- create a mind-body-spirit balance
- cleanse, heal and strengthen the body
- liberate the true self
- and, as practiced today, improve fitness
No one seems quite sure when yoga began, but it goes back thousands of years. Stone carvings in India's Indus Valley depicting yoga positions date back more than 5,000 years.
Traditionally, yoga was a spiritual practice, its goal being union with the absolute or the divine. The various exercises we associate with hatha yoga were performed to prepare the body for long periods of meditation. The word "yoga" means to join or bind together, and the practice joins together the body, mind and spirit. On a spiritual level, it can refer to the union of the individual with the absolute truth or true self (Atman). It's often associated with Hinduism, but yoga predates the religion. Hinduism has incorporated elements of yoga into its practices, as have other religions.
Yoga is not a religion, but many of its elements are incorporated into various religious traditions. Practicing yoga won't interfere with your religious practice -- and it might enhance it.
Yoga is now practiced around the world for its psychological, physical and spiritual benefits. Americans have practiced it for more than 100 years, but it gained popularity in the 1960s as young people developed a taste for all things Eastern. According to results of a 2012 survey, 20.4 million Americans, or 8.7% of U.S. adults, are believed to practice yoga.
Yoga practitioners generally maintain that the best way to learn is in person. If you are homebound, there are countless books, websites and DVDs available. Just remember that the best and safest way to learn is with a teacher guiding you.
When we encounter an adverse situation, we typically react from a place of anger, sadness, resentment, or another unpleasant emotion. This disturbed emotional state then eats away at us and causes an ongoing state of personal turmoil or suffering. For many of us, this is the extent of our life: something bad happens, and we feel bad in response. But what if this didn't have to be the case?
Thousands of years ago, the ancient sages of India devised a process by which we could train the mind to no longer exist in a state of this suffering. Rather than change our circumstances, we change our mind's reaction to those circumstances. We alleviate our suffering by training the mind.
This forms the basis of the tradition we now know as Yoga: a system of tools we use to train the mind so as to not be disturbed by its many fluctuations and episodes of turmoil. We may begin by living a life in line with certain ideals before then embracing outward practices like postures and breathing exercises. We may vow to serve others selflessly through acts of charity and good will. When we successfully train the mind to no longer react from a place of turmoil and suffering, those adverse situations no longer seem so problematic. Indeed, what was once adverse now simply is.
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Beyond the Down Dogs and Sun Salutations we're more familiar with, yoga, simply put, is the practice of living in balance within any and all aspects of daily life such as how you exercise, what you eat, which relationships you choose, and how you deal with stress. There are as many yoga styles and opinions about what yoga is as there are people who teach it. I see yoga, at its root, as a personal path of making the choices that move you towards health in any way possible. Since a strong, fit and relaxed mind and body can lead towards constructive shifts in the rest of your life, I recommend trying a variety of yoga classes and teachers until you find the one (or more!) that's right for you now. You'll learn more about moving from center on all levels the longer you practice.
Yoga includes asanas (physical poses) and pranayama (breathing exercises). Many types of yoga are practiced in the United States of America, and different teachers emphasize different aspects. Some teach yoga as a form of exercise, while others emphasize breathing. Some practices are entirely secular, while others incorporate a religious and spiritual aspect. People with back pain often find yoga helpful, and studies have shown that yoga can also benefit those with osteoarthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
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Yoga is powerful in relieving stress and aids in musculoskeletal strength. Stretching, deep breathing and toning boosts energy levels and benefits circulation and flexibility. Learn more from our experts about yoga.
Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.