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| Yoga for the Whole Self |
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Practicing yoga is a constant journey. Yoga is referred to
as a “practice” because it is something you will work on overtime. The only goal
of yoga is to focus on doing your best in each moment. You do not have to reach
any specific goal at any specific time. Although the goal of yoga is to do your
best in each moment, yoga is not competitive. Even doing your best will change,
day to day. At one time your best will be a strong and challenging practice. At
another time it will be a gentle and relaxing practice.
There are various poses in the art of yoga. A pose in yoga is called an ASANA.
The word asana means “steady pose”. Although the asanas focus on stretching and
strengthening the physical body, the benefits can go beyond the physical body.
Yoga will benefit the mental and emotional parts of your body as well as the
physical.
Physically the asanas will bring flexibility to your spine and improve your
nervous system. The gentle stretching and holding massages your glands and
organs. Asanas will also improve your circulation, which helps get oxygen and
nutrients to the cells of your body. Yoga not only stretches but also
strengthens your muscles. This is important to promote health and prevent
injury. Both weak, flexible muscles and strong, stiff muscles can be easily
injured. Yoga can help you to stay healthy by building strong and flexible
muscles.
Mentally the asanas free your mind from external activity. Focusing on the pose
clears your mind of all other influences. This helps your body to relax,
conserve energy, and open your mind.
Emotionally you will become more balanced and your basic outlook on life will
improve. As you become more balanced, you no longer waste time and energy on
negative emotions. Ultimately, you will have a more positive and pleasant
outlook on life.
Relaxation and breathing are very important to your yoga practice. In relaxation
your body uses little or no energy. All physical activity expends energy, but
most people waste an enormous amount of energy needlessly. Emotionally you waste
energy through worry, sorrow, anxiety, and anger. Expressing or even repressing
negative emotions will waste your energy. It is futile to increase your energy
production unless you learn to reduce the amount of energy you are wasting. As
you practice Yoga, your body will learn to relax more, consequently saving
energy. As you learn to balance physically you will also become more balanced
mentally and emotionally. This also helps you to conserve energy.
Yoga is a journey that can bring you to a place of harmony. In yoga, you
increase your flexibility and gain strength not only physically but also
mentally and emotionally. Yoga will eventually bring you to a place of health,
focus, peace and energy. Through physical poses and breathing exercises, you
will find magic. The magic you find can be as simple as a good nights sleep, a
day free from pain or a life that becomes more than you ever imagined.
By Margy Breiner, Personal Growth Counselor, Astrologer
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