Yoga: An ancient discipline
Yoga is a developing discipline that dates back
to India some 5,000 years ago. Yoga, by definition,
is a unitive discipline, or training, that focuses
on the current of spirituality.
Yoga improves cardiovascular health, tones muscles,
increases flexibility and invokes calmness. Yoga is
a meditative discipline that reduces anxiety while
sharpening the mind.
There are 40 types of yoga used today. Hatha yoga,
one of the oldest and most popular styles of yoga,
dates back to ancient times and is the discipline of
force. It emphasizes techniques of breathing
incorporating various poses. Hatha yoga is ideal for
individuals who experience stress or fatigue and
need relaxation.
Popular styles of Hatha yoga include Amanda
(mediation yoga), Ashtanga (motion yoga), Birkham's
Yoga College of India (heat yoga), Integral (prelude
to meditation yoga), Kundalini (breath of fire yoga),
Kripalu (made to measure yoga) and Iyengar (precision
yoga).
Even though there are so many yoga styles, choosing
the one that best fits your needs is not as difficult
as it may seem. Determining which style is right for
you is merely a matter of evaluating your goals and
current fitness level.
If you have never tried yoga, make sure you take
it slowly. Yoga is about progression. Before you know it,
you will see real results and reach the goals you've
set.
To learn more about yoga, visit the
Yoga Research Center.
