Yoga is one of the most popular methods of exercise and meditation in recent years. It combines physical postures, controlled breathing and meditation, as well as healthy approaches. It is a practice that can be practiced by anyone, men and women alike, and originated in India. It is a physical, spiritual and mental practice that has been practiced by millions of people in many different places around the world for centuries.
"What is yoga? How to do it?", you must first purify your mind, learn to think correctly, and be aware of your body and yourself.
This practice, which can be defined as a journey of the soul and body, has many techniques, exercises and breathing exercises. The answers to the question "How to do yoga?" are as follows:
Breathing Exercises: You should start by breathing through the nose with your mouth closed and during this process you should get away from all bad thoughts. Relax and focus only on your breath. As you breathe in and out, feel the bad energies in your body leaving your body and positive energies taking their place and entering your body.
Physical Exercises: After breathing exercises, movements should be started. During the movements, listen to your body, respect your spirit and let it guide you.
Rest: After the physical exercises and movements are finished, move on to relaxation and meditation. Rest in a peaceful environment and try to feel the healing of the exercises.
What are the Benefits of Yoga?
One of the questions wondered by many people is whether the practices are beneficial or not. Physical activities will definitely be beneficial when they are done in a suitable way for people. For this reason, when the methods are applied correctly and according to the person, they provide a lot of benefits to the body and mind. "What are the Benefits of Yoga" We can list the answer to the question as follows.
- By reducing blood pressure, it can reduce risky conditions such as blood pressure disease, cardiovascular disease.
- It supports muscle health and joints as well as alleviates the pain. Increases muscle strength.
- Provides an increase in sleep quality. It benefits people with sleep problems by supporting the melatonin hormone.
- Since it is an exercise system related to breathing, it helps to improve respiratory functions. There are many breathing techniques for people with lung and asthma diseases.
- According to researches, it has a relaxing effect on migraine.
- It increases the flexibility and balance of the person. It supports the increase of muscle mass and strengthening of bone structure.
- It supports the spine and shows what the correct posture is.
- When continued systematically and continuously, it supports the immune system.
- The person gets away from stress. It is extremely good for depression and eliminates anxiety and worry.
- If the person has a focusing problem, it disappears and concentration ability improves. While awareness increases, mental health also improves.
What should be done before starting yoga?
It is a practice where one can gain many experiences related to one's physical and spiritual journey. Here is what can be done before starting;
- Find a suitable time for yourself to fill the energy in your body in a positive way; early morning can be the right time for this practice. It can also be done to relax after a busy and stressful day.
- You should find a space where you will not be disturbed by others and you should be on a flat surface where you can move comfortably.
- Do not eat or do anything else during the exercise so as not to lose focus. Needs should be taken care of before the session.
- Comfortable and thin clothes should be chosen to avoid restricting movements.
- Your feet should be bare to feel the energy flow more easily.
- You can use a mat on the floor for a more comfortable application.
- Music that is good for you and relaxing can play in the background.
Types of Yoga
There are many different types. Most of the types practiced today are derived from classical yoga. There is no superiority between the types, they are all equal. Even if the methods and paths followed are different, the goal in all of them is to relax the consciousness and strengthen it physically and mentally. One should experience and realize the type that is unique and beneficial for oneself and develop oneself through that type. The basic methods of all types are poses (asanas), breathing and meditation. The schools and types are as follows:
Karma Yoga: The person should do the movements he/she does without any expectation, purify his/her ego and attain his/her spiritual self.
Bhakti Yoga: It is known as the yoga of love. It is an unconditional and unconditional path. It is a practice that focuses on the self rather than physical attitudes.
Roja Yoga: It is known as Ashtanga yoga, the yoga of the king or the yoga of knowledge. It symbolizes 8 paths. It is a method that adopts the whole of physical and spiritual teachings. It is believed that when the mind is controlled, consciousness will reach high levels.
Tantra Yoga: It is the balanced attitude of the energy system in the body. It is believed that human beings reach enlightenment through the opening of consciousness, the mind and the understanding of one's own awareness.
Hatha Yoga: It is a practice aimed at increasing the capacity of the physical body. It is an expression formed by the words 'Ha' for the sun and 'tha' for the moon.
Therapeutic Yoga: It is a practice on correcting postures and health problems. It is done to be free from physical and mental pain.
Methods of Practicing Yoga
It makes the person feel relaxed and peaceful. There are many methods and techniques. By experiencing and experimenting with these methods, a person can choose the one that is unique to them and the one that benefits them the most. The different techniques and methods are as follows:
Pranayama: It is one of the basic features and aims to control the breath. Sit in a comfortable position and place your ankles on your knees. Exhale all your breath out with your eyes closed. Slowly inhale through the nose and exhale the same way. Approximately eleven rounds should be repeated.
Asana: By concentrating on muscle mass and nerves, it supports a high energy production. It is a practice for opening mental and physical consciousness.
Mantra: When done correctly, it is said to take control of the mind and increase focus.
Mudra: It is known as hand movements that advance a certain state of consciousness. There are hundreds of variations. When done in combination with other practices, it can stimulate different physical and mental areas.
What Should Be Considered While Practicing Yoga?
The practice, which can be done by men and women, has some things to be considered before doing it in some cases. The situations to be considered are as follows;
- People who are sick and pregnant should consult a doctor before practicing.
- The poses should be done in a way that will not have bad consequences on the person's body. Movements should definitely be done without straining.
- Warm-up movements should definitely be done before the applications.
- Care should be taken where and under what weather conditions.
- It should usually be done before eating. It should not be done after eating too much.