Contrary to common belief, yoga is not just all about experiencing pure ecstasy through the union of the mind, the soul, and the body. It is also about dealing with one’s self and an effective means of stress management.
Today, most yoga practitioners and teachers believe that apart from providing relaxation and peace, yoga is about the seemingly limitless capability of a person to be in control and unite with him or her inner self. With these underlying principles, yoga can be an effective way of stress management if used properly.
Be definition, the word yoga came from a Sanskrit term which means union or joining. It is considered as almost an ambiguous term because it encompasses a wide range of purely physical disciplines to purely spiritual. When people talk of yoga, the term asana is always mentioned. Asana is known as one of the eight types of yoga wherein mental and spiritual well being than are prioritized compared to physical endurance. Today, the two words have become almost synonymous to modern-day yogis because they embody the same concept: relaxation though meditation.
If you’re planning to practice yoga as a form of stress management, it shouldn’t be as confusing as it seems because you don’t need to learn all the concepts and philosophies behind it. This ancient tradition that requires deep meditation has been proven as an effective way to relax, what you need to learn are the basic information you will need for you to apply the concept in your everyday life.
Starting out with yoga
People have different reasons and purposes for practicing yoga. This is because through yoga, people may explore the almost limitless possibilities of health and relaxation. Since this ancient form of exercise can help people delve into depths of the meditative practice for spiritual discipline, it can also be used to manage stress and maintain physical and emotional health.
If you are going to use yoga as a form of stress management, it is best to understand your main objectives and your level of interest because these can definitely help you find the right yoga program.
The first thing that you have to bear in mind before you totally indulge in practicing yoga is setting and determining your goals. You can do this by knowing first what are the possible health and fitness benefits you can get from yoga. Most yoga practitioners agree that the major potential benefit of yoga is to relieve stress.
Apart from this, it can also increase of strength and flexibility, creation of balance as well as the improvement of breathing and overall posture. On the spiritual aspect, yoga can serve as an exercise that can help you soothe your nerves, calm your mind while increasing your focal and concentration skills.
After determining your goals, it is best to undergo a general check-up. This is very important because it will help you know your limitations when it comes to practicing it. Discussing with your physician the advantages and disadvantages of yoga in your total health and well being is very important to ensure that you will not suffer from any complication. Since yoga involves physical endurance, you might also want to visit an orthopedic before you undergo a class to avoid injuries that will come with the postures and positions.
Aside from knowing your goals and updating your overall health status. You must also consider the qualification of your yoga instructor, your physical and emotional limitations. The best time suitable for you to practice yoga, the basic yoga poses before slowly advancing to the difficult positions, and proper equipment and clothing to be used before using yoga as a means of stress management.