What is Yoga? A Brief Introduction

Yoga is an ancient practice rooting from Indian Philosophy. The word is derived from the Sanskrit word “yoke” which means union. Yoga is a practice that elevates both mental and physical health. It aims to unite the body, mind, soul and universal consciousness. 

Yoga uses a blend of physical postures, breathing exercise and meditation methods to build strength and manage stress. Traditional Yoga includes chanting of mantras and other elements that aren’t often adapted in the western practice of Yoga. Continue reading this blog to better understand What is Yoga, and what are its different types.

Table of contents 

1) What is Yoga? 

2) What is the Purpose of Yoga? 

3) Advantages of Yoga 

4) Different types of Yoga 

5) Impact of Yoga on Mental Health 

6) Some tips to consider 

7) Conclusion 

What is Yoga? 

Yoga is the practice that originated from Indian Vedas. It incorporates breathing exercises, physical postures and meditation methods to help you manage both your physical and mental health. Yoga helps you build strength and flexibility by practicing movements that help align your Chakras to obtain unity between body and mind.   

‘Chakra’ is Sanskrit word that means ‘wheel’ or ‘circle’. In this context, Chakras refers to energy centres of your body. Yoga believes aligning the Chakras has the power to influence your physical and mental wellbeing.  

What is the Purpose of Yoga? 

The purpose of Yoga is to cultivate awareness, self-regulation and higher consciousness in the individuals. Yoga aims to make you more aware of yourself and your surroundings. It incorporates different methods to not only better your physical health, but also manage your stress levels as well. Consistent physical activities like practising Yoga also promotes a healthier lifestyle that helps the preventing of illnesses.  

Advantages of Yoga 

Yoga promotes the well-being of your body and mind. Yoga has a lot of benefits, here are ten advantages of yoga: 

1) Yoga increases flexibility   

2) Yoga helps with stress relief 

3) Yoga improves Mental Health 

4) Yoga helps reduce inflammation 

5) Yoga improves brain functioning 

6) Yoga helps build strength 

7) Yoga improves balance  

8) Yoga helps strengthen immunity 

9) Yoga improves cardiovascular health 

10) Yoga improves sleep Quality 

Different types of Yoga 

Originally practiced in India by the Yogis (traditional yoga practitioners and spiritual mentors), the practice of Yoga has evolved to have many types. The types of Yoga are explained below: 

Hatha Yoga 

Hatha Yoga is about establishing balance between body and mind. The word ‘Hatha’, broken down as ‘Ha’ and ‘tha’ representing the sun and the moon. The term Hatha is meant to portray a balance in the universe. It typically involves only physical postures (asana) and breathing exercises. These can aid you in establishing a balanced body and mind. 

Ashtanga Yoga
 

Ashtanga Yoga is an incorporation of the eight limbs of Yoga. The word is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘Ashta’, referring to the number eight, and ‘Anga’, meaning limbs or body parts. According to the scriptures, Yoga has eight limbs. The eight limbs are as follows: 

1) Yama – A set of moral codes to live by. 

2) Niyama – Physical observances and the practice of self-discipline. 

3) Asana – Practicing proper physical posture. 

4) Pranayama - Breathing exercises that teach you breath control. 

5) Pratyahara - The withdrawal of senses from worldly distractions. 

6) Dharana - The practice of concentration and focusing of the mind. 

7) Dhyana - The practice of meditation and focusing the mind on a single point. 

8) Samadhi - The mental process of attaining oneness with the self. 

Iyengar Yoga 

Iyengar Yoga is an evolution of the classic Hatha Yoga, a more precise and clear method of Yoga for modern practitioners to adapt easily. Iyengar Yoga focuses on three aspects - alignment, sequencing, and timing. Alignment in Yoga refers to the arrangement of your body in the Yoga postures. Sequences here refer to the order of practicing the postures. Timing refers to the timespan you can hold the postures safely while respecting the boundaries of your body. This form of Yoga promotes the use of props to assist asanas to effectively align the body. 

Bikram Yoga 

Invented in 1970 by Bikram Choudhary, Bikram is a form of Yoga that incorporates the use of heat in the process of Yoga. Heat allows the muscles to stretch easier and makes you sweat out toxins aiding weight loss. Bikram Yoga has a set of 26 poses that you move through rapidly until the end of the session, which is usually 90 mins long. The 26 poses of Bikram Yoga are standard everywhere. 

Kripalu Yoga 

Kripalu Yoga is a gentle adaptation of Hatha Yoga that gives equal importance to mind, body and spirit. Kripalu Yoga is a great option if you are a beginner to Yoga.  

Kundalini Yoga 

The word ‘Kundalini’ originated from the Sanskrit word ‘Kundal’ which means circular or refers to a coiled snake.  Kundalini is form of Yoga that involves singing, chanting, and breathing exercises to activate your Kundalini energy. A circular life force that is coiled at the base of the spine that can be activated through Yoga and meditation. 

Impact of Yoga on Mental Health 

Yoga has been practised over the ages, as a method to sharpen the mind by practicing focus and concentration. Yoga also helps manage stress and anxiety effectively and prevents other possible mental health disorders by regulating mood. Here are some ways to use Yoga to improve your Mental Health: 

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Addressing depression through Yoga 

If you suffer from depression, you experience a lack of serotonin and dopamine. Serotonin and Dopamine are the chemicals that regulate your mood and are released when you feel positive emotions. When depressed your body fails to produce and process these chemicals. This leads to the feeling of fatigue, and disinterest in activity. Yoga promotes physical movements that are strategically designed to reactivate parts of your brain that produce serotonin and dopamine. Additionally, the discipline of movement further kickstarts your journey on a healing path.  

Managing post-traumatic stress disorder through Yoga 

A frequent sign of post-traumatic stress disorder is not recognising the physical sensations happening in one's body. Yoga helps you reconnect with your body to bring awareness to both the body and mind. Trauma also affects the amygdala and the medial prefrontal cortex, the neurological systems that manage the balance of your body. Practising Yoga helps you reestablish the balance of your body and heal the effects of trauma on the brain. 

Some tips to consider 

If you are starting your journey with Yoga, here are some tips to keep in mind to be able to practice Yoga consistently: 

Establishing a time frame  

To practice Yoga regularly you must specify a time for you to practice daily. Also maintain a timespan you would dedicate to the practice every day. Creating a schedule plan for a week or a month can help you stay consistant.  

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Choosing the right space 

To practice Yoga, you will require an open area that facilitates movement. Choosing an area that is clean and free of clutter is recommended. As the environment you choose to practice in may also influence your state of mind. 

Practice on a light stomach 

It is advised to practice Yoga on a light stomach, practicing on a heavy stomach would cause discomfort. Certain postures in Yoga also may cause you to regurgitate undigested food. Additionally, heavy meals do make you feel lethargic and may restrict movement. 

Do not rush the process 

It's important to start slow and be gentle when you start. Yoga promotes respecting the boundaries of your body. It doesn't require you to push your body past its limits, instead build the strength and flexibility slowly by consistency. 

Conclusion 

In this blog we have discussed, “What is Yoga?”, its types and benefits. Yoga is great practice for you to acquire and adapt in your day-to-day life. It enables you to build strength, flexibility, and focus. However, you must practice it mindfully and consistently. There are different types and styles of Yogas you can choose to practice to attain your personal mind and body goals. Consistent practice of Yoga can also significantly improve your Mental Health by regulating mood, managing stress and anxiety, and facilitating healing.