An Introduction To Yoga For Beginners

You may have read about the explosion in the popularity of Yoga. You have probably heard about some of the health benefits. You may even be considering giving it a try, but there are many things to consider before beginning.

First of all. What IS Yoga? Yoga means "union" in Sanskrit, the language of ancient India where it was developed. However, Yoga is essentially the development of balance in the body through developing strength and flexibility.

Yoga certainly does help improve strength and flexibility, but there are other benefits as well. It can help ease tension in the body, improve joint mobility, ease back pain by strengthening the spine, improve posture, boost glands in the endocrine system, improve digestion, improve circulation, boost the bodies immune system, increase stamina and much more.

Those with chronic health conditions, such as back or joint pain may find relief from these ailments, as yoga has the ability to strengthen and ease tensions in these areas of the body. It may be an avenue to consider if all other treatments have failed. Those it is wise to see a doctor before attempting these exercises. It is always best to check with a medical professional in extreme cases to ensure no further harm will be done.

Yoga also has benefits to the bodies mental state. It helps boost body awareness, relieves stress patterns in the body, helps sharpen concentration, relaxes the body and mind. It also helps develop self-discipline, which can be a great benefit in our day-to-day lives.

For those beginning a yoga routine, it can be confusing. There are different forms of yoga to choose from. Which one is right for you? That is for you to decide, as you grow more accustomed to this practice. We won't go into all different forms of yoga at this time. For now, we will concentrate on the most popular form of yoga, Hatha.

Hatha yoga means sun(ha) and moon(tha) and the union between the two. This is essentially the coming together of opposites, the body and mind, to bring about strength, health and peace of mind.

Hatha emphasizes the practice of posture, breathing techniques and meditation to bring about balance within ones body and mind. The aim is to help balance different energy flows within the body, which can help develop mental health and awareness, as well as overall physical fitness.

The exercises involved emphasize slow fluid movement, avid concentration, flexibility and conscious breathing techniques. As the exercises tend to be slow and controlled, if performed correctly, they will result in an invigorating workout, which makes this form of yoga a great way to shape up, as well as to develop mental awareness.

There are many different resources for all the different forms of yoga out there to help you along in your pursuit; from books, to DVD's, as well as internet websites. Do a little research and before long, you could be well on your way to, not just physical health, but mental health and a greater sense of awareness as well.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Yoga