Yoga is an ancient mind and body ‘exercise’ that traces its origins to India where the intellectuals of a long gone age devised these practices. Today, yoga is accepted worldwide as a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practice that improves overall health, mental well being and enhances the quality of life. A combination of methods is used in yoga to promote good mental and physical health. These include physical exercises, breathing techniques and relaxation or meditation.

Scientific research has proved beyond doubt that the regular practice of yoga does have positive effects on the human body’s stress coping mechanisms. It has also been found to improve mind body awareness significantly.

Yoga defined

Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word ‘yuj’, which mans ‘union’. This signifies the union between the human body and mind. This union or harmonization brings about a balance in our mental faculties and physical organs.

The various practices followed through yoga may be found in the Yoga Sutras; text that is believed to have been written about 2000 years ago. But it is believed that yoga was being practiced by the ancients even as early as 5000 years ago. They used this mind- body exercise to gain mastery over themselves and lead a disciplined life.

As yoga benefits both body and mind it is important to understand how it brings about a positive change in both physical and mental health.

Physical benefits

Overall health can be improved by practicing yoga on a regular basis. Practitioners have found that stamina and flexibility show a marked improvement after they started on their regular yoga schedule. These exercises promote blood circulation and stimulate various organs of the body. This enhances the functioning efficiency of the body as a whole. In turn, each organ starts performing its functions in a more effective way leading to better health.

Mental benefits

People who face many common ailments caused by excessive stress benefit immensely from yoga. Yoga exercises not only reduce stress but also improve the brain’s ability to focus. This makes it easier for the person to work more efficiently leading to less stress. Those suffering from mood swings and depression also benefit from regular yoga practice. This ancient practice promotes a sense of tranquility in the mind and enhances the clarity of thought.

Ailments that can be treated with yoga

Other than the general mental and physical benefits, yoga is beneficial in treating specific ailments too. This practice has been found especially effective in treatment of hypertension, blood pressure, nervous disorders and insomnia.

Yoga is also considered an effective anti aging exercise. By improving blood circulation, reducing stress hormones and making the body flexible and supple, yoga helps the practitioner retain a youthful appearance. Common aging problems like memory loss can be warded off by regular practice of yoga.

One common myth is that yoga cannot build actual physical strength. In fact, several yoga exercises improve muscular strength and enhance overall fitness and endurance. There are some specific exercises to address muscular growth in specific body parts. Under the guidance of a qualified and skilled yoga teacher, you can build muscle strength and develop greater muscular control.

Yoga is believed to be a complete mind- body exercise technique. A whole host of problems, psychosomatic, physical or mental can be treated quite effectively with these exercises. The growing number of regular yoga practitioners around the world stands testimony to the efficacy of these ancient practices.

Author Bio: Brenda Rusnak is a health care specialist who writes about healthy-aging and prevention. For more information about healthy-aging and Brenda Rusnak, check her out on Boomers Forever.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: mind,body,balance,yoga