The practice of yoga has now been scientifically proven to help with a wide range of ailments and is also well-known as an extremely effective preventative medicine. Yoga has been practiced since 800 B.C in India, where “yogis” developed specific postures, breathing exercises and cleansing practices. The objective of the practices are to improve your physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. This is thought to fuel longevity and a sense of contentment as well as to develop a spiritual connection to the Divine.
‘The Yoga Sutras’ is the great work of philosophy by Patanjali. It is one of the earliest and most respected documents of yoga. The poems contained in the text were supposedly given directly to Patanjali by God; as such they are thought to contain the very essence of the wisdom of yoga. The sutras explain the many forms of yoga in detail, and describe how a “yogi” should lead his life. The way of the yogi includes leading a clean and austere life, reading religious scriptures, and practicing yoga poses, breathing exercises and meditation. The result of this philosophy is present today, where we still find Yoga as a holistic system, which helps you to integrate your body mind and spirit, lead a modest ethical life and connect with nature’s life force.
Yoga treats the body as a complete and whole system; including numerous specific benefits. The practice has been scientifically proven to help in the following ways:
– Relaxation – yoga helps you to relax and calm the mind, reducing stress.
– Muscle tone and posture – the various postures improve the strength of your muscles, especially around your spine.
– Concentration – the meditative movements and development of your awareness helps you to achieve focus in the everyday things of life.
– Detoxification – yogic stretching is paired with deep breathing, which helps you get more blood and life force energy to your major organs, thereby removing more toxins and aiding their flow out of your body.
There are many more benefits to practicing yoga; the above are simply a few of the most widely known. Most importantly, yoga is a whole system for you, a true complementary therapy that is excellent for preventing problems and sustaining your all round wellbeing. If you are looking to find out more about yoga, Patanjali’s ‘Yoga Sutras’ is one of the best places to start. Ancient Indian wisdom is a perfect aid to help you launch your life into complete wellness!
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