| |
|
|
| |
a-z wellness
professionals:
yoga
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
What is Yoga? |
|
| |
The word Yoga means “to join
or yoke together,” and it brings the body and mind together
into one harmonious experience. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
The whole system of Yoga is built
on three main structures: |
|
| |
| • |
Exercise |
| • |
Breathing |
| • |
Meditation |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
The exercises of Yoga are designed
to put pressure on the glandular systems of the body, thereby
increasing its efficiency and total health. The body is looked
upon as the primary instrument that enables us to work and evolve
in the world, and so a Yoga student treats it with great care
and respect. Breathing techniques are based on the concept that
breath is the source of life in the body. The Yoga student gently
increases breath control to improve the health and function
of both body and mind. These two systems of exercise and breathing
then prepare the body and mind for meditation, and the student
finds an easy approach to a quiet mind that allows silence and
healing from everyday stress. Regular daily practice of all
three parts of this structure of Yoga produce a clear, bright
mind and a strong, capable body. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Types of Yoga |
|
| |
Hatha Yoga: The physical movements
and postures, plus breathing techniques. This is what most people
associate with Yoga practice. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Raja Yoga: Called the “royal
road,” because it incorporates exercise and breathing
practice with meditation and study, producing a well-rounded
individual. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Jnana Yoga: The path of wisdom;
considered the most difficult path. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Bhakti Yoga: The practice of extreme
devotion in one-pointed concentration upon one’s concept
of God. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Karma Yoga: All movement, all work
of any kind is done with the mind centered on a personal concept
of God. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Tantra Yoga: A way of showing the
unseen consciousness in form through specific words, diagrams,
and movements. One of the diagrams that is used to show the
joining of the physical and spiritual bodies is two triangles
superimposed upon one another. The downward-pointing triangle
represents the physical body, or the female aspect having to
do with work, action, and movement; the upward-pointing triangle
represents the spiritual body of support, energy, and vastness. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Who Can Practice Yoga? |
|
| |
Yoga is suitable for most adults
of any age or physical condition. Because of the nonstrenuous
nature of our approach to exercise, even those with physical
limitations can find a beneficial routine of Yoga. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
We do not recommend most Yoga exercises
for women during menstruation, for pregnant women, or for nursing
mothers. Regular practice of breathing and meditation, however,
is encouraged. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Yoga During Pregnancy: A Special
Note |
|
| |
It is extremely dangerous for pregnant
women to do any inverted poses because of the possibility of
air embolism. We strongly discourage pregnant women from performing
most Yoga poses. We do recommend that pregnant women learn and
practice simple daily breathing and meditation techniques, which
can help result in an easier delivery and a healthy baby and
mother. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
