Yoga is more than just stretching the muscles and the body. It is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines, which originated from ancient India. Different religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, practice yoga. They have a broad variety of schools, practices, and goals.
According to Self-Realization Fellowship, yoga is a simple process of reversing the ordinary outward flow of energy and consciousness so that the mind becomes the dynamic center of direct perception, no longer dependent upon the fallible senses, but capable of actually experiencing Truth.
The name yoga was derived from the Sanskrit word ‘yuj’, which means ‘to unite or integrate’. It is all about harmonizing the body with the mind and breathe through various breathing techniques, postures, and meditation. It is believed that yoga was introduced to the western world in the late 19th and early 20th century. Yoga later became popular as a physical exercise.
MORE THAN A PHYSICAL EXERCISE
In Indian traditions, yoga is more than just a physical exercise. It has a meditative and spiritual core.
Nowadays, people are looking for alternative solutions to medical problems. Alternative medicine and organic foods, such as berries, tea, flax seeds, and extra virgin coconut oil, are now being considered by patients as a replacement for medicines or drugs.
For body and chronic pains, another popular alternative to pills is yoga because yoga combines breathing control, meditation, and movements to stretch and strengthen the muscles. It puts great emphasis on both mental and physical fitness. According to Harvard Health Publications, yoga can help people with fibromyalgia, arthritis, migraine, low back pain, and other chronic pain conditions.
HOW CAN YOGA RELIEVE PAINS?
Studies show that weekly yoga can increase mobility more than medical care for chronic low back pain. And it is comparable to standard exercise therapy in relieving chronic low back pain.
The breathing exercises done during a yoga session helps relax the body, frees the mind from worries, and keeps distractions out. A series of seated, standing and prone yoga postures are used in a session. These are called asanas. Asanas can be modified to accommodate your strength and experience as well as any condition.
Here are some yoga poses for relieving pain, such as knee, back and others:
- Cobra – this pose relieves back pain
- Supported Warrior – try it for knee pain
- Butterfly – this is for hip pain
- Rear arm lift with strap – helps ease shoulder pain
- Wall plank – this is for elbow and shoulder pain
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga
http://www.yogananda-srf.org/what_is_yoga,_really_.aspx#.WDfi-eZ9600
http://www.health.harvard.edu/alternative-and-complementary-medicine/yoga-for-pain-relief
http://www.prevention.com/fitness/yoga/yoga-poses-relieve-aches-and-pains
Author Bio:
Nadine is a wandering writer and blogger. She loves traveling and exploring new places, and finding hole-in-the-wall dining places. As a wannabe cook, she loves discovering new recipes and ingredients, like the versatile coconut oil (and yes, she uses it on just about anything and everything). On lazy days, Nadine is spending time at the beach with her fur-babies, Pepe and Pido.
