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Benefits of Yoga to Life
This is an article called "Benefits of Yoga to Life", written by
Vasanthi Bhat, which is from the April 1995 issue of the magazine "India
Worldwide":
Benefits of Yoga to Life
by Vasanthi Bhat
Yoga is the oldest system of personal development encompassing body,
mind, and spirit. The origin of yoga goes back more than 5,000 years.
This valuable science, developed and modified through generations, took
many years to spread around the world.
Recently the value of yoga is increasingly being recognized for general
health and preventive and curative effects. Yoga can be practiced by
anyone, at any age, at any physical condition depending on individual
needs.
For example, athletes and dancers can practice it for restoring energy
and to improve stamina; housewives for rejuvenating energy and for
fatigue; executives to give a break to the overworked mind; children to
control the wandering mind, muscle toning, and improve memory and
concentration; seniors to feel strong and to improve memory.
Yoga breathing techniques (pranamaya) are very powerful since they work
as a tonic for stress, insomnia, emotional imbalance and headaches,
among others. Yoga, therefore, is for all ages--from 5 years to as long
as we live.
It is very important to practice yoga with the full mind. The best time
to practice yoga is either in the morning or in the evening. Beginners
find it easier to practice in the evening because the body is supple.
It is best if the practitioner finds his best time that suits his or her
schedule, as long as the stomach is empty prior to the practice.
Yogasanas help relax body and mind together. Stretching helps relax and
tone the muscles, to improve circulation, to regain the vital force or
energy, lose or gain weight, feel and look young, and improve
concentration. It can relieve conditions like stress, back pain,
allergies, high and low blood pressure, insomnia, depression. Some of
the yogasanas are easy to practice and yet very powerful.
Shashankasana, for example, is the easiest and powerful asana for
relieving physical, mental and emotional stress. The posture encourages
a rich supply of blood to flow to the brain, which immediately refreshes
and energizes the practitioner. It also helps to relieve headaches,
sinus congestion and back pain, and massages the abdominal area (which
is good for cramps), improves digestion and strengthens sciatic nerves.
Bhujangasana is a powerful backward bending asana to strengthen the
spine. As a result, slipped discs and other back ailments are
prevented. It works wonders in lung ailments by encouraging good
breathing.
Sarvangasana, as the name implies--SarvaAngaAsana, meaning all body
posture--is valuable from the head to the toes to maintain, improve and
alleviate any ailments. Dwi Konasana and Pada Hastasana are helpful for
people who stand or sit for prolonged time. This takes only a few
minutes to relax tense muscles.
Neck movements, shoulder socket rotation and eye exercises help relax
the upper back, neck and eye muscles which immediately help relax the
mind. These can be practiced any time.
Vipasana is a simple breathing technique to utilize at any time of the
day. Done regularly, this natural, slow breathing eases stress,
irritability, headaches and provides rest to mind. It is more effective
if one can practice it by closing the eyes.
Nadi Sodhana is considered the most important pranayama technique. This
balances physical and mental energy, and purifies all the breathing
channels. It is good a therapy for headaches, sinus congestion,
insomnia, depression and irritability.
Om chanting vibrates the lungs, brain cells and soothes the entire
system, resulting in peace. Om chanting indirectly helps the
practitioner learn slow, deep and complete breathing.
Shavasana is practiced lying down comfortably on the back. It is
relaxing and allows one to practice slow, smooth breathing, which can
also be utilized as a healing technique.
The most satisfying part of yogasanas is the peace it brings us.
The writer has been practicing and teaching yoga for 20 years. She was
trained at the Bihar School of Yoga under Satyananda Saraswati. In 1984
she moved to the United States, where she has since been conducting yoga
classes.
"The hustle and bustle of life in today's competitive world can become
overpowering without internal defenses to protect the mind and the
body," she says. "Through yoga, one can develop these."
Her classes have become so popular that she has now made them available
on video cassettes. Vasanthi is available on phone at (408) 257-8418 or
at 1196 Lynbrook Way, San Jose, CA 95113.
