Differences between Yoga and other exercises
"Words fail to convey the total value of yoga. It has to be experienced"
- B.K.S. Iyengar.
It amazes me, when before I started doing yoga, how 1 hour of swimming or playing racket sports would tire me out and now, even 2 hours of yoga everyday leaves me feeling fresh and re-energized! As a mother of two children in high level competitive sport , I do not intend to put down sports or any other physical exercise, but I just feel that yoga has a more wholistic approach to health and wellness.
The following reasons have made yoga increasingly popular and is influential in changing the way we look at our bodies, mind and ways of exercising:
1. Yoga opposes violent muscle movement. Relaxation by deep breathing and Shavasana in yoga pays off oxygen debt resulting from lactic acid build up. While other physical exercises emphasize on violent movements of muscle which produce large quantities of lactic acid in muscle fibers causing fatigue.
2. Yoga regards body as an instrument for journey to perfection while other exercises are designed to develop muscles for an impressive body.
3. Yoga is designed to develop mental faculties and concentration. Other exercises are Rajasic i.e. increased adrenaline stimulates the mind.
4. Yoga regenerates energy. Other types of exercises consume energy.
5. According to yoga, a healthy body is not just a muscular body. Health is when all organs function perfectly under the intelligent control of mind. On the other hand, other exercises focus on a strong body to undergo daily stresses of life. However, mind is not in control and therefore, short-term health can lead to use (or abuse) of steroids, stimulants, drugs etc.
6. In yoga, inverted postures (head stand & shoulder stand) use gravity to force the blood back to the heart which strengthens the heart and increases the volume of blood circulated. Other exercises rely solely on aerobic exercise to pump the heart and thereby increase circulation. This produces tremendous strain o the heart. That is the reason you hear of trained athletes dying of heart failure.
7. Yoga pays great attention to maintaining flexibility of spine and other joints and small deep muscles in the body. It also focuses on counter stretching to maintain muscle flexibility. Other exercises use only large superficial muscles of the back and in the body. They do not focus on stretching opposing muscles which leads to tightness. A common example is tight hamstrings in otherwise physically strong people.
These are just a few of many benefits of yoga over all other physical exercises.
Experience it for yourself and see !!
Surya Namaskara- Sun Salutation
Surya Namaskar revitalizes every aspect of your being, from physical to spiritual. It is meditation in motion and is deeply potent, wherever and whenever it is practiced.
Start your day with reverence for the sun, the life giving solar energy! It is best to begin all sessions of yoga asanas with Surya Namaskar. An excellent warm up exercise, it consists of 12 different spinal positions which give a varied range of vertebral movements to the spine. It promotes flexibility in the limbs while regulating the breath and focusing the mind. It prepares the body for the asanas. Technically, Surya Namaskar is not an asana but a series of gentle flowing movements synchronized with the breath. It recharges the solar plexus and stimulates the cardio-vascular system.
The starting and finishing positions are the same. Sun Salutation should be done 6-10 times, traditionally early in the morning facing the sun. Early morning hours considered auspicious (hour just before sun rise is called "Brahma muhurta"- Time of God). The mind is supposed to be most calm and clear at this time. Let your breath guide each movement and extend each position over the entire length of each inhalation and exhalation. Repeating the sequence in each of the four cardinal directions, you perform a silent yet powerful ritual of gratitude. Instead of doing the sequence mechanically, contemplate on the vitality of the sun at each step and it will take you to a deeper level of participation.
As you sweep the arms up and bow forward, you honor the earth, the heavens and everything in between. As you lower the body, you connect with the earth. As you bring your hands together in Namaste, you gather the space of the heavens back into your heart and breath, acknowledging that your body forms the center point between heaven and earth.
The essence of Surya Namaskar is really being able to see the sun inside yourself. The sun, which always gives without judgement and any attachment and never receives.
To all the modern yogis- Inspire your practice with the daily practice of the most ancient aspiration of illumination that connects modern yoga to the Vedic tradition.
AIM OF YOGA
"Yoga is a light, which once lit will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame".
-BKS Iyengar.
And a better practice is not far you can reach your toes, but how far and for how long you can reach inwards.
The science of Yoga gives a practical and scientifically prepared method to transcend the senses and control the body and mind. Yoga philosophy holds not only the answer to a man's problems, but also offers a scientific way to overcome his problems and sufferings. With patience and regular practice, many things which appear vague at first will become clear. Even comparatively little effort will bring immense returns of knowledge, strength and peace. Yoga can be practiced by anyone, of any religion or faith, who is sincere and willing to search for the truth.
The word "Hatha" is composed of "Ha" and "tha" which means 'sun' and 'moon', that is 'positive vital air' and negative vital air'. Hatha Yoga focuses on the body, whereby it emphasizes on the practice of Asanas (steady yoga postures) and Pranayama (controlled breathing) through which mind becomes one-pointed and in control.
Asanas cleanse the body by increasing the circulation of fresh blood. They may appear physical, but if done sincerely and with awareness, asanas influence the chemical balance of the brain and improve the mental state of being.
Pranayama, controls the breath and thereby the mind. When we are absorbed in deep thinking or meditation, the process of breathing slows down. This slowness of breath is related to suspension of mental activity which proves that mind and prana (vital breath) are interdependent. When there is perfect harmony between body and mind, we achieve self-realization.
Aim of yoga in brief:
Yoga--> Asanas & Pranayama --> control body & mind --> no negative thoughts -->union of body & mind --> no thoughts --> self- realization/liberation.
Yoga Helps You Find the Balance...
In Yoga, theory and practice, as well as left brain and right brain, go hand in hand so to speak. Study (svâdhyâya) is in fact an important aspect of many branches and schools of Yoga. This is another way in which Yoga’s balanced approach shows itself.
If you want to know where something is going, it is good to know where it came from. “To be ignorant of what happened before one was born,” said Cicero pointedly in his Orator, “is to remain ever a child.” History provides context and meaning, and Yoga is no exception to this rule. If you are fond of history, you’ll enjoy what follows. Many of the facts and ideas presented here have not yet found their way into the textbooks or even into most Yoga books. We put you in touch with the leading edge of knowledge in this area. If you are not a history buff, well, perhaps we can tempt you to suspend your preferences for a few minutes and read on anyway.