Yoga Origin And Background

Yoga is an ancient science that combines different disciplines of mind with the body. Yoga originated in India over 2500 years ago. It is still very effective in improving overall health and Wellnessbeing for anyone who practices it regularly. Yoga is derived from Yuja, a Sanskrit verb. It can be translated as to connect, culminate or concur. It is the culmination or union of mind and body, or Jiva and Shiva (soul/universal spirit). It also combines Purush and Prakriti (Yin and Yang).

Yoga can be defined in many ways. There are many schools and systems of Yoga. Dnyanayoga, Bhaktiyoga, Karmayoga (Yoga with action), Rajayoga or supreme Yoga, Hathayoga (Yoga that balances opposing principles of the body) and Rajayoga are all examples. These schools of Yoga do not have to be very different. They are more like the threads of one cloth, interwoven into each other. Yoga has been regarded as a powerful way to improve your self-esteem and attain spiritual enlightenment for thousands of years. Each of these systems has the same goal, but their methods of achieving that end result are very different. Yoga, in its most popular form is often associated with Hathayoga. The term Yoga is used in this article with the same meaning. However, Yoga's meaning will be broader when it comes to Philosophy of Yoga. This article is about Philosophy of Yoga.

Pranayama and Asana

Let's look at Hathayoga's two main components, namely: Asana, Pranayama.

Asana is the act of acquiring a posture and keeping it for as long as your body can. When done correctly according to the above rules, Asana can bring enormous psychological and physical benefits. Asana can be considered the first step towards Pranayama. Asana is the practice of balancing opposite principles within the body and the psyche. It helps to eliminate inertia. Asana's benefits are greater if it is maintained for a longer time. Asana should feel stable, steady, and pleasant. These are the main rules for Asana.

Summary of the rules:

1. Normal breathing
2. Focused stretching
3. Stable, pleasant postures (sthiramsukham asanam).
4. Minimal effort (Prayatnay Shaithilyam).
5. There are no comparisons or competition with other people
6. Avoid jerking or fast actions. Keep your pace steady and slow.

Each asana is different, but there are some common benefits, such as flexibility, stability, improved hormonal secretion and feeling refreshed and renewed. An Asana (Yoga stretch), is not supposed to be difficult. Most of the benefits of Yoga are available to those who do the most basic Asana. The beauty of Yoga is that even at a low level, most of its benefits can still be enjoyed. Yoga is beneficial for beginners as well as experts.

The founders of Yoga discovered part of the solution to their problems in their search for a remedy for the human body and mind. They observed how animals and birds stretched their bodies to relieve inertia, and they also felt malaise. They created Yoga stretches based on their observations and named them after the animals or birds that inspired them. For example, matsyasana (fish pose), makarasana (crocodile pose), shalabhasana (grasshopper pose), bhujangasana (cobra pose), marjarasana (cat pose), mayurasana (peacock pose), vrischikasana (scorpion pose), gomukhasana (cow's mouth pose), parvatasana (mountain pose), vrikshasana (tree pose) etc.

Many Asana can be classified based on the pressure applied to the abdomen. Asana that involve forward bending are known as positive pressure Asana. They put positive pressure on your stomach by pressing it with their fingers. Pashchimatanasanasana and Yogamudra (Yoga symbol poses), Hastapadasana ("hands and feet pose"), Pavanmuktasana ("wind-free pose") etc. Asanas that take pressure off the abdomen such as the backward-bending Asana, are known as the negative pressure Asana. Dhanurasana (bow pose), Bhujangasana (cobra pose), Naukasana (boat pose) etc. Both types of Asana provide excellent abdominal and back stretch and strength. The body's blood circulation is enhanced and intensified by applying both positive and negative pressure to the same spot. Pressure on a spot can increase oxygen and blood supply to the muscle. E.g. E.g. Hastapadasana reenergizes the nerves in the back and back. You will feel refreshed and renewed. Vakrasana is recommended for diabetics as it provides a great massage to the liver and pancreas.

2. Pranayama
Pranayama can be used to get rid of mental disorders and other physical ills. Pranayama is a controlled, prolonged breath. Prana is breath. It can also be translated as life force. Ayama is the act of controlling or extending. Pranayama's exhalations take twice as long as the inhalations to return to their original positions. Pranayama's main purpose is to control breathing and bring mental stability. The autonomous nervous system is responsible for breathing. The scope of volition can be expanded by bringing the involuntary process that is breathing under the control of the mind. Pranayama is a bridge between Bahiranga (exoteric) Yoga and Antaranga (introspective or esoteric) Yoga. Pranayama is possible only if the body has been stabilized through Asana, and cleansed by Kriya (cleansing process). Pranayama, on the other hand, prepares the body and mind for the meditational and spiritual practice Yoga like Dhyana and Dharana. Pranayama improves blood oxygen and subsequently refreshes and rejuvenates the brain and nerves. These are just a few of the physical benefits that Pranayama has.
a. The lungs, chest, and diaphragm are stronger and more healthy.
b. The capacity of the lungs is increased.
c. Slowly changing pressure creates a massage for all organs of the stomach cavity.
d. Increases blood's ability to absorb more oxygen.
More oxygen in the blood is better for brain function.
f. Neuromuscular coordination improves.
g. The body becomes slimmer and the skin glows.

There are eight main Pranayamas: Ujjayi (or Suryabhedan), Sitkari and Shitali. Ujjayi is one of the most well-known Pranayamas. Pranayama is made up of four parts.
1) Puraka (Controlled Inhalation)
2) Abhyantara Kumbhaka (Holding breath in)
Rechaka (Controlled inhalation)
4) Bahya Kumbhaka (Holding breath out).

With a few exceptions, the ratio of these parts is usually 1:4:2;4 This ratio is consistent with many scriptures, including Patanjali’s Yogasutra. The first three parts are sufficient for overall well-being. Spiritual practitioners generally practice all four parts, including the last. Bahya Kumbhaka. This practitioner does more repetitions than someone who does it to improve their general health and well-being. The Abhyantara Kumbhaka is the most closely associated with Pranayama of all the parts of Pranayama. Keval Kumbhaka is another Kumbhaka, which occurs spontaneously.

Pranayama is only possible if you have Bandha (Locks). Pranayama includes four locks: Mulabandha (locking your anus), Jalandharbandha, Udiyanabandha and Jivhabandha. Locks are used depending on the purpose of Pranayama (spiritual, general health). Mulabandha (or Jalandharbandha) is the most common Bandha that can be performed by all. Jivhabandha can only be performed for spiritual reasons.