June 21 is International Yoga Day. This discipline that concentrates more and more users is little known to people who have not yet tried it. What is this yoga? What is your philosophy? Which has benefits? These are the main characteristics of yoga that you should know, as well as the answers to the most frequently asked questions by users who want to delve into this activity.
What is yoga?
Yoga is a discipline that addresses body and mind by combining physical posturesasanas), breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation (Diana) or relaxation. It is an ancient and complex practice, rooted in Indian philosophy more than 5,000 years ago.
However, it was not until the late 19th century and early 20th century that Indian monks spread their knowledge of yoga to the West. The modern yoga began its heyday in the 1970sand since then it has not stopped gaining followers all over the world.
General Yoga Philosophy
The goal of yoga is connect mind, body and spirit by controlling the body and the chakras, hence yoga means “union”. The chakras are central points of energy, thoughts, feelings that determine different reactions and emotions.
With the practice of yoga, one seeks release blocked energy in the different body chakras to eliminate physical, mental or emotional imbalances. Modern yoga adds strength, agility, and flexibility to the spiritual equation.
types of yoga
In its beginnings, yoga was mainly spiritual, but various styles have emerged that they focus on the more spiritual or more physical part. Both extremes are present in all of them, but one of the two will have priority.
Those that require a greater physical demand can improve the endurance, strength, flexibility and general well-being. Those that focus more on the spiritual realm are intended to remove those blockages in the central points of energy and bring us peace-oriented and mental health goals.
Exists a long list of yoga options that arises to accommodate all tastes and anyone, whatever their starting level. Some merge different types of yoga, and others introduce elements or special populations such as pregnant women.
In a previous article we talked about the different types of best-known yoga that you can look at if you are a beginner. In said article We explain what each of them consists of and which one to opt for to choose the one that best suits you.
From Hatha Yoga, which is the root from which some others come out focused on knowledge and the realization of postures, to other more spiritual types of yoga such as Kundalini yoga. We also commented in the aforementioned article on new variants of yoga such as Bikram yoga, which is performed in high-temperature rooms.
Benefits and questions of yoga practice
The Department of Health and Human Services of the United States exposes on its website the main benefits of practicing yoga, as well as the main questions that surround this discipline. We will base ourselves on this information based on scientific evidence to develop this section.
What are the benefits of yoga for general well-being?
Yoga helps improve general well-being thanks to the reduction of stress and an improvement in emotional control. By doing it continuously our sleep can be of better quality and we will acquire healthy habits that can be extrapolated towards a better diet and more physical exercise.
Emotional disturbances such as anxiety or depression can use yoga as a complement to their treatment. There is scientific evidence on the usefulness of yoga for reduce anxietybut the impact of yoga on serious mental health disorders is less promising.
Balance, in addition to flexibility and strength, can be improved by practicing yoga. This data is mainly important in older adults where it increases the risk of falls and their secondary effects.
Can yoga reduce some types of pain?
The postures performed in yoga require strength and mobility that improve as they are performed. This combo is an effective strategy to improve lower back, neck and knee pain. It’s because by strengthening the core muscles we protect these areas.
The chronic headache and migraine they could also be improved with the practice of yoga. The studies are not yet conclusive, but a review of several studies reported reduced pain frequency, intensity, and duration with yoga practice.
Does yoga help to lose weight?
All physical activity adds up when it comes to losing weight. Yoga is not one of the practices that oxidizes the most calories, but it is ideal for complement it with strength and resistance work and thus lose weight. Adherence to physical activity is the main variable to take into account, and if we go to a sports center to practice yoga, it will be a very good start.
Does yoga for pregnant women make sense?
One of the most demanded types of yoga, like pilates, is yoga for pregnant women. This activity is safe, as long as it goes hand in hand with a professional. Due to the complexity of performing postures of high physical demand, you can opt for a more spiritual yoga to reduce the stress and anxiety that may appear with pregnancy.
Is yoga mendable for children?
Yoga has several potential benefits for children beginning at this stage and accompanying them into adulthood. In childhood, and especially in adolescence, a correct intelligence and emotional control is key. Yoga has beneficial effects in these areas, affecting anxiety and emotional health.
In addition, the promotion of healthy habits from an early age will increase the probability of continue those habits later.
What are the risks of yoga?
As in any physical activity, yoga can cause some type of injury such as a sprain or muscle strain. Serious injury is rare if the instructor is qualified and qualified. You must be careful if you practice yoga on your own and you do not have a sufficient level to do it.
Inverted postures and higher risk should be avoided in all those people who are not advanced in yoga. If you are within a special population (pregnant, elderly, person with a medical problem…) always have health professionals who guide you on whether you can do it and how.
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