Holistic Yoga

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The essence of holistic health yoga is balance, and that means not only a balance in our bodies or our emotional lives, but also a balance in our relationship with the world.

Holistic health yoga is a life of self-discipline based on the tenet "simple living and high thinking". It is an art of living healthily - physically, mentally and spiritually. The literal meaning of the word yoga is unity or oneness; it is derived from the Sanskrit word yuj, which means to join. In holistic yoga this union refers to many things. On the basic level, holistic health yoga unites the body and mind through breath, and on the cosmic level, holistic yoga unites the individual with the universe. Thus holistic health yoga allows an individual to achieve a union between his physical body and spiritual self.

Ever since humans realized their true nature, that is, the divine stance or to remain in eternal bliss, they have been trying to devise ways to achieve this true self or attain holistic wellness and holistic yoga is one such means. This spiritual investigation of lifes purpose requires a keen intellect and strong will which are the products of a healthy body and mind. The seers and sages of yore, after lengthy research spanning the millennia, developed an integral system that retards the bodys decaying process, and keeps the physical and mental faculties strong. This system is known as yoga; which is both a science as well as an art. This ancient science of holistic health yoga is profound in the sense that it is both transformative and practical. Holistic health yoga is very methodical and uses the tangibles of body, breath and conduct to reach and change the intangible mind.

Holistic Yoga gives a lot of importance to the health of the spine, because according to its philosophy, it is the flexibility of the spine, not the number of years, which determines a persons age. The spine is an engineering marvel of nature, and is the physiological, psychological and spiritual axis of the organism. Yogasanas (yogic physical exercises) slow down the ageing process by giving elasticity to the spine, firming up the skin, removing tension from the body, strengthening the abdominal muscles and correcting the poor posture. Holistic Yoga helps you to trade in the characteristics of old age for those of youth.

The dynamics of yoga are holistic. Holistic Yoga addresses a persons body, mind and spirit simultaneously. The body, mind and spirit are very intimately connected, and any change in one has an effect on the other two. Holistic health Yoga balances these three aspects of an organism and ensures complete well-being and everlasting contentment. The ancient seers and sages found that specific asanas (body positions) open the energy channels and psychic centers when you perform holistic yoga. It was also found that developing control of the body through these practices enabled one to control ones mind and energy. Yogasanas became tools for achieving higher awareness, and for providing the stable foundation necessary for exploring the body and mind and their higher states and they advocated regular practice of holistic health yoga.

Yogasanas affect all of the important determinants of a healthy and long life: the brain, spine, internal organs and glands. Holistic health yoga affects the deeper and subtler parts of the body. The internal organs receive massage and stimulation through the various movements of the asanas when you practice holistic health yoga, and are toned for more efficient functioning. Yogasanas, which form an integral part of holistic health yoga, have a rejuvenating effect on the pituitary, thyroid, adrenal and sex glands, producing a feeling of well-being, preventing premature ageing and extending sexual virility well into old age. The inversions in yoga reverse the effect of gravity, making one feel lighter and look younger. It reduces facial wrinkles and produces a natural face-lift.

The rejuvenating effects of holistic yoga on the glands, nervous system and brain result in a positive mental and emotional state that helps to balance the emotions, improve ones outlook on life and allows one to react to every event in life in a constructive way. We cannot prevent incidents from happening but we can control our reactions to them. Yoga encourages us to react positively to every situation in life that could tend to arouse destructive emotions.

The essence of holistic health yoga is balance, and that means not only balance in our bodies or our emotional lives, but also balance in our relationship with the world. The practitioner of holistic yoga becomes equanimous; unaffected by the ups and downs of life. One is neither excited nor agitated, and always remains calm and composed.

The yogic system of exercise can be compared to no other in its capacity to completely recharge the entire being. Performed slowly and consciously, the asanas go well beyond physical benefits, becoming a mental exercise in concentration and meditation. To reap the benefits of holistic yoga, one has to be regular, sincere and faithful in their practice. The physical and mental benefits of yoga are cumulative, usually resulting over many months and years of regular practice.