Yoga : A Journey Towards Self-reliance.

“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self. “

– The Bhagwad Gita.

The origin of the word ‘Yoga‘ is from the Sanskrit word ‘Yug‘ which means ‘To join’, ‘to add’, ‘to unite’, or ‘to attach’. Thus, Yoga is union of mind, body and soul. It involves Physical, mental and spiritual practices.

History Of Yoga :

Yoga’s history has many places of obscurity and uncertainty due to its oral transmission of sacred texts and the secretive nature of its teachings. The early writings on yoga were transcribed on fragile palm leaves that were easily damaged, destroyed or lost. The development of yoga can be traced back to over 5,000 years ago, but some researchers think that yoga may be up to 10,000 years old old. Yoga’s long rich history can be divided into four main periods of innovation, practice and development.

The credit for increasing the popularity of Yoga in India and making the teachings of Yoga available to every person goes to Baba Ramdev. Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev used the medium of television and newspapers to reach out to the general public and made his lessons available to them.

Seven Important Asanas of Yoga:

The seven important Asanas of Yoga and it’s benefits are :

• Tad Asana : In this Asana, a person stands on toes. Slowly, he raises both hands as much as possible while coming on toes.

benefits :

1. It Develop leg muscles.
2. Increases height in children.
3. It relieve leg pain.

• Ushtt Asana : From ‘ Vajra Asanas ‘ position standing bending backwards with chest raised. Hands hold the ankle by looking back.

Benefits :

1. It develops leg strength.
2. It cures arthritis.
3. Helps in digestion.
4. It increases back muscle strength.

• Trikon Asana : Feet Apart, try to touch hand to foot while other hand is raised up.

Benefits :

1. It improves trunk flexibility.
2. Reduces obesity.
3. It cures acidity.

• Paschimottan Asana : Sitting with legs stretched forward, we try to touch the forehead to the knees while holding hands the feet.

Benefits :

1. Benefits Diabetic and back pain patients.
2. It controls weight obesity.
3. Back muscles are strengthened.

• Padma Asana : Padma means ‘ Lotus ‘ and Asana means ‘Posture‘ . It is sitting with crossed legs in such a way that feet should touch the opposite hip while hands are on knees and the back is straight.

Benefits :

1. It is a very good Meditative posture.
2. It improves leg strength and flexibility.
3. Pranayam are performed in this posture.

• Bhujang Asana : From pro lying position start raising the upper part of the body without the support of hands while looking up.

Benefits:

1. It improves abdominal shape.
2. It cures cold and bronchial problems, kyphosis, obesity, neck Spondylitis .

• Dhanur Asana : From lying position the upper and lower body is raised up with the support of hands where hands hold the ankles. Body balances on the abdomen.

Benefits:

1. Increases body flexibility and tones up all body muscles.
2. It cures kyphosis, Lordosis and digestive problems.