Yoga For Beginners
Yoga is an important part of many lives today. Although it is considered a
type of exercise, it has the potential to affect the emotional and
psychological health of the individual, not just the physical state.
Some people resist trying yoga. This may be because they believe it’s some
kind of weird religious thing or that they must change their lifestyle
completely.
While yoga was indeed used in years past mostly by hippies, the practice has
evolved into a more mainstream system. All types of people use yoga for its
ability to help the physical and mental states.
Meditation is also looked at in a similar way. There are many types of
meditation. Not all meditation is about reaching “spiritual enlightenment” or
using drugs and chanting.
Meditation can also be an extremely useful tool in controlling many physical
and mental ailments. It can reduce stress and anxiety, help control panic
attacks, ease depression, and much more. Its effects on the mental state can
be remarkable, and it is recommended by many doctors as a great way to
avoid taking medications.
We hope to enlighten you through this book so that you may learn how to
practice yoga and meditation on your own. The physical and mental benefits
you’ll receive will probably be shocking to you!
One thing you should realize is that while this book will be talking about the
religious practices and history of yoga and meditation, you do NOT have to
change your religion or subscribe to any of the religious notions of either
method!
The information contained about the spiritual side is purely for informational
purposes only. Yoga isn’t a religion, but it can have spiritual effects for
those who practice it.
It doesn’t matter if you are Jewish, Catholic, Muslim, Buddhist, Protestant,
or Scientologist! No matter what type of religion you may or may not
practice, yoga can benefit you without you having to change your faith in
any way.
Yoga (as it is explained here) is simply a method of strengthening and toning
the body while also receiving the emotional and psychological effects it can
bring.
Meditation in this book is used simply as a way to boost mental clarity,
reduce stress, and clear up any mental and emotional issues. It is not meant
to promote any kind of spiritual agenda, although it can enhance your
religious experience if you choose to use it that way.
We’re going to delve a little bit into the rich history of yoga and meditation
so you can learn a little about its origins. Only when you understand where
it came from and why it was practiced can you truly understand why they
are such remarkable tools for mental and physical health.
We’ll talk about a lot of the important equipment that you may need to want
for practicing yoga and meditation, from mats to bags, balls to blocks.
You’ll learn what each piece of equipment is used for, and also whether you
really need to buy it or not.
You’ll learn what yoga and meditation are and can do for you as well as
their limitations. Neither is a one-size-fits-all solution for everyone nor will
they cure any and every ailment there is.
Some practitioners believe that yoga and meditation can cure every ailment,
illness, and disease on the planet, but unfortunately there is just no proof of
this.
If you’re looking for a miracle cure for cancer or diabetes, this probably
won’t be what you’re hoping for. But if you need a simple solution for
easing panic attacks, depression, mental fog, back pain, stress, or other
minor to moderate physical and mental issues, yoga and meditation might be
exactly what you need.
What Yoga Is And Isn’t
Yoga is far more than just a series of stretching exercises. It’s not some kind
of religion or cult, and it doesn’t require one to turn into a vegan or sell all of
their worldly possessions! It’s nothing like its stereotype.
Yoga first came to the Western hemisphere in 1893 at the World’s Fair in
Chicago. It was brought by Swami Vivekananda who was one of India’s
most popular gurus.
The word yoga gets its origins from the Sanskrit word “Yug”. It means to
bind or join. Basically, it is about the unity of the physical body with the mind.
It’s about “conscious living”.
It’s not all about calisthenics. While the physical aspects are certainly an
important part, this is not the only true purpose. It’s also about the mental
benefits.
It’s not any type of religion. There are no gods to worship, and it is not an
organized system at all. Any spiritual benefits are purely emotional and
psychological.
Yoga doesn’t actually distinguish between the physical body and the mind.
Yoga can work to improve your physical health in many ways, not just
aiding in weight loss, but also improving tone and even reducing physical
pain.
Yoga allows you to release the tension that can build up in your body. It
helps the various parts of your body become loose and limber, from your
muscles and joints to your tendons and ligaments. It can help back pain,
joint pain, muscle pain, and much more.
People aren’t meant to be stiff and rigid. We were designed to be flexible
creatures. We may not all have the flexibility and grace of a prima ballerina,
but we should all be healthy and fit. Yoga is one means to achieving such a
goal.
Here are some of the benefits that have been proven to exist through
yoga:
! Improved flexibility
! Better range of motion
! More fluid motion
! Immune system strengthening
! Reduced joint pain
! Reduced muscular pain
! Better breathing
! Higher lung capacity
! Higher metabolism
! Better sleep quality
! Reduced stress and anxiety
There are many other remarkable benefits reported to be received from yoga.
You may discover many more.