WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF DOING YOGA

Yoga has an ancient tradition known to have existed before 5000 years. In the sixth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, which is the most important authority on Yoga philosophy, Sri Krishna explains to Arjuna the meaning of Yoga as a deliverance from contact with pain and sorrow. As a practice, yoga is a routine developed by the sages to help us arouse our dormant abilities, to strengthen our body, to focus our mind, and to unlock our limitless potential to become anything we wish to become.

Benefits of doing Yoga

1. Brings emotional Stability -

 This is one of the best ways to keep our mental health stable as Yoga teaches about moral commandments known as Yama in Sanskrit. When one inculcates Yama he will be free from all worries which in turn brings emotional stability.

The Yama has 5 Aspects like-

1.Ahimsa - Himsa means killing or hurting someone, A means not, so Ahimsa is Not to kill or hurt anyone physically or mentally.

2.Satya – Satya is about speaking truth and not to indulge in falsehood. ‘ The truth may hurt for a little while, but a lie hurts forever.

3. Asteya – Asteya is Nonstealing. It's not only taking belonging of others but be honest in one's profession and personal life.

4. Brahmacharya – Patanjali insisted on celibacy as it gives more mental focus and clarity.

5. Aparigraha – Aparigraha is about the Non-hoarding of Wealth.

2. Helps in Over All personality Development – 

Yoga in its second Limb teaches us about self-improvement by following.

1.Saucha – Saucha is about internal and external cleansing, we do keep ourselves clean by brushing the teeth, bathing externally, and internal cleansing is possible by practicing Asana to sweat and purify blood and organs. The practice of pranayama purifies the lungs. It is also important to clean our minds with emotional disturbance by avoiding negative thoughts.

2. Santosha – Santhosha is staying content, however, one should not misunderstand this as being complacent and not set any goals. It is always good to set goals and work towards it and be happy with your efforts and do not to be attached to results.

3. Tapah – Tapah is derived from Sanskrit word Tap which beans to burn. Once we set the goals we should put a burning effort to reach it.

4. Svadhyaya – Sva is self and Adhyaya is Learning so Svadhyaya is about spending time in self-learning.

5.Ishwara Pranidhana – It is about keeping faith in lord or have an optimistic approach towards life.

3. Keeps you physically fit and healthy through the practice of Asanas: 

The Asana is the postures that are done holding for a few seconds or a minute. The practice of Asanas helps to improve the spine and limb flexibility which enables a better range of motion. Before getting into the postures (asana ) we must practice dynamic moves like Suryanamaskar to avoid injuries. The Suryanamaskar done for few rounds makes your body warm and supple which makes you hold the posture steady and comfortable. The suryanamaskar done continuously for few rounds burns calories which helps in shedding weight or fat around the waist. The continuous forward and backward bending action in suryanamaskar stretches the muscles which improves the blood and lymphatic circulation.

There are asana like padangusthasana which is done bending forward applies pressure on abdominal organs thus activating them this boosts metabolism and improves digestion. The backbend posture like ushtrasana expands lungs which allows more uptake of oxygen. Some postures are done balancing on a single leg which tones and strengthens them. The head low posture like sirshasana activates the glands in the brain and enables effective functioning of endocrine glands. The posture like veerabhadrasana improves stamina and physical strength.

4. The practice of Pranayama helps to Regulate breathing: 

Pranayama helps in regulating the breath. When we breathe, the air is entered into the lungs and through air sacs, the freshly inhaled oxygen is passed into the blood, the air sacs also absorbs carbon dioxide which is then removed from the body through exhalation.

Pranayama is lengthening the breath, the practice of pranayama fully exchange incoming oxygen with outgoing carbon dioxide. They have also shown to slow heartbeat, stabilize blood pressure, and relieving the stress.

5. Improves Focus: 

When the mind is free from disturbing thoughts through Yama and niyama and the body is tempered by the practice of asanas and breathing is controlled through pranayama the mind is free from distraction. The yogi ( One who practices Yoga ) will be able to focus any given task and be able to accomplish effectively. The person who has a high level of concentration possesses high intellectual powers to tackle any situation.

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