What are the benefits of yoga? Let’s look at the pros and cons of yoga. Is it worth spending time on yoga for someone who leads a healthy lifestyle?
Yoga was born in India between the third and second millennium B.C. It was at this time that stamps bearing images of people in yoga postures were found on the banks of the Indus River.
Modern yoga has many branches and styles. The main ones are Ayengara, ashtanga yoga, bikram yoga, vinyoga, yogabit, kundalini, power yoga, tray yoga and hatha yoga.
What are yoga classes like?
Yoga classes consist of three parts – initial, main and final. Their specifics depend on the chosen yoga direction.
The class may begin with a mantra chant, a short relaxation session or a warm-up. For the beginner, it is important to pay close attention to what the teacher is doing and try not to miss small details.
The main part usually involves practicing the exercises. When doing asanas, one should listen to what they feel and stop the exercise if they suddenly feel pain or discomfort.
At the end of the class, students lie down on mats with eyes closed, doing the so-called “cadaver pose” – shavasana. It allows one to achieve the highest relaxation and recovery after the class. The duration of shavasana depends on the style of yoga chosen.
In general terms this is how yoga works. But is yoga useful and is yoga a sport?
Pros of yoga
General wellness for the body.
Yoga is referred to as a unique system for general wellness. It allows you to find inner harmony and improve the functioning of all organs. The philosophy of yoga helps you to get rid of your bad habits and get into a healthy lifestyle.
Harmony with the world around you. Harmony with the outdoors.
Yoga empowers you to get in touch with your inner world and get to know yourself better. These exercises are designed to help you discover your potential and find harmony and serenity. The opportunity to relax during a relaxation session helps to release negative feelings. The ability to breathe deeply helps you to remain calm and rational in stressful situations.
Relief from Back Pain and Joint Pain
Yoga has a wide range of exercises that can be relaxing and restorative for our bodies. It has been proven to be comparable to the use of medicines in the fight against back and joint pain.
Improved posture
Yoga exercises have a dramatic effect on the muscular corset. They improve posture and gait.
Increased metabolism and weight loss
In yoga, there are yoga exercises designed to improve the gastrointestinal tract and thus speed up the metabolism. Yoga is not a quick way to lose weight. However, systematic practice of yoga helps to gradually lose weight.
Body cleansing
Regular yoga practice helps one to exercise one’s internal organs. It improves digestion and stimulates the elimination of toxins from the body.
Boosting the immune system
Regular yoga practice activates the lymphatic circulation, restores internal organ balance, and improves the body’s resistance to infections and bacteria.
Improves mental faculties
Practising meditation during yoga improves mental alertness, memory and concentration. Exercise improves blood flow and enriches the brain with oxygen.
Age doesn’t matter
You can do yoga at any age, irrespective of your fitness level.
Time and place do not matter
The practice of yoga does not require any specific equipment. Therefore, you can do yoga anywhere.
The time of the class is also of little importance. The benefits of doing yoga in the morning, at lunchtime and in the evening are equal.