INTRODUCTION
Yoga is essentially a mind-body therapy involving a variety of exercises and meditation. It is gradually being recognized as a potent alternative branch of medicine all over the world. Yoga is becoming popular because it has no side effects whatsoever. It gives long lasting results and is perhaps the only discipline that works as a deterrent to the development to any further disease without the help of any orally administered medicine. It is broadly categorized into three categories: breathing exercises, body postures, and meditation.
ORIGIN
Yoga is originally an Indian concept propounded by ancient sage Patanjali.The word Yoga is derived from "yog" or union with the God.The end purpose of yoga is to raise Mother Kundalini, that is, the life force at the base of the spine. In India, Yoga is believed to have developed some 26,000 years ago in the Satya Yuga. It is said that Mother Kundalini came forth during this period.
The Yoga of the present day was founded in the Kali Yuga (Dark Age) in 600 B.C. The characteristic practices were those formulated by Patanjali and formed the basis of all the systems that were put forth by various contemporary masters. This basic structure came to be known as the Eight Limbs of Patanjali's Yoga. The modern-day students of Yoga require that the body and mind are to be so disciplined so as to reach that level of super-consciousness for everlasting period.
METHOD OF TREATMENT
Yoga seeks to utilize energy medicine to regulate heart rate, clear confusion and provide peace of mind. It also helps in retarding the ageing process. It is achieved through a number of Yogic postures or asanas. The various types of postures are as follows:
The following are some of the commonly used Hatha yoga asanas: Corpse (Shavasana), Child's Posture (Balasana), Posterior Stretch (Paschimottanasana), Cobra (Bhujangasana), Locust (Shalabhasana), Half Spinal Twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana), Shoulder Stand (Sarvangasana), Half Fish (Ardha Matsyasana).
Yoga helps in cleansing and detoxification of the body and senses. In the body, purification of bowel, enemas, cleansing of the nasal passage and eyes are the common practices. The practice of asana, often known as Hatha yoga, is available in two different types: meditative and therapeutic. The breathing exercise 'Pranayama' enables one to get rid of blockages in the nadis. These blockages thwart the proper flow of prana throughout the body. The harmful blockages are caused in the nadis by various factors such as stress, toxins and improper diet. According to advocates of Yoga, the interrupted flow of prana leads to adversities in mental, physical and emotional health of an individual.
Yoga contributes to improved blood circulation and flexibility of structure. It sharpens the mind and corrects the mood. Other benefits include improved respiration, digestion and evacuation. Visible improvement in memory and intelligence, lessening of pain, ridding addictions, enhancement of motor skills, visual and auditory perceptions and metabolic function are other advantages.
While practising Yoga, the norm is to wear comfortable, loose clothes. Sometimes, a strap may be needed to help doing leg stretches. A yoga session, in general, comprise of three parts-breathing exercises, body postures and meditation. The teacher can give guidance on nutrition and everyday life. Morning is the best time for practicing Yoga.
YOGA CENTRES
There are innumerable hospitals and resorts all over the world. There are also Yoga centres of repute where one can learn yoga. Yoga classes are held in many of the following places. Some of the most renowned yoga centres are listed below:
Yoga is essentially a mind-body therapy involving a variety of exercises and meditation. It is gradually being recognized as a potent alternative branch of medicine all over the world. Yoga is becoming popular because it has no side effects whatsoever. It gives long lasting results and is perhaps the only discipline that works as a deterrent to the development to any further disease without the help of any orally administered medicine. It is broadly categorized into three categories: breathing exercises, body postures, and meditation.
Yoga is originally an Indian concept propounded by ancient sage Patanjali.The word Yoga is derived from "yog" or union with the God.The end purpose of yoga is to raise Mother Kundalini, that is, the life force at the base of the spine. In India, Yoga is believed to have developed some 26,000 years ago in the Satya Yuga. It is said that Mother Kundalini came forth during this period.
The Yoga of the present day was founded in the Kali Yuga (Dark Age) in 600 B.C. The characteristic practices were those formulated by Patanjali and formed the basis of all the systems that were put forth by various contemporary masters. This basic structure came to be known as the Eight Limbs of Patanjali's Yoga. The modern-day students of Yoga require that the body and mind are to be so disciplined so as to reach that level of super-consciousness for everlasting period.
METHOD OF TREATMENT
Yoga seeks to utilize energy medicine to regulate heart rate, clear confusion and provide peace of mind. It also helps in retarding the ageing process. It is achieved through a number of Yogic postures or asanas. The various types of postures are as follows:
- Standing poses
- Inverted poses
- Twists
- Backward bending poses
- Forward bends
- Poses for restoration
The following are some of the commonly used Hatha yoga asanas: Corpse (Shavasana), Child's Posture (Balasana), Posterior Stretch (Paschimottanasana), Cobra (Bhujangasana), Locust (Shalabhasana), Half Spinal Twist (Ardha Matsyendrasana), Shoulder Stand (Sarvangasana), Half Fish (Ardha Matsyasana).
Yoga helps in cleansing and detoxification of the body and senses. In the body, purification of bowel, enemas, cleansing of the nasal passage and eyes are the common practices. The practice of asana, often known as Hatha yoga, is available in two different types: meditative and therapeutic. The breathing exercise 'Pranayama' enables one to get rid of blockages in the nadis. These blockages thwart the proper flow of prana throughout the body. The harmful blockages are caused in the nadis by various factors such as stress, toxins and improper diet. According to advocates of Yoga, the interrupted flow of prana leads to adversities in mental, physical and emotional health of an individual.
Yoga contributes to improved blood circulation and flexibility of structure. It sharpens the mind and corrects the mood. Other benefits include improved respiration, digestion and evacuation. Visible improvement in memory and intelligence, lessening of pain, ridding addictions, enhancement of motor skills, visual and auditory perceptions and metabolic function are other advantages.
While practising Yoga, the norm is to wear comfortable, loose clothes. Sometimes, a strap may be needed to help doing leg stretches. A yoga session, in general, comprise of three parts-breathing exercises, body postures and meditation. The teacher can give guidance on nutrition and everyday life. Morning is the best time for practicing Yoga.
YOGA CENTRES
There are innumerable hospitals and resorts all over the world. There are also Yoga centres of repute where one can learn yoga. Yoga classes are held in many of the following places. Some of the most renowned yoga centres are listed below:
- Adhyatmik Sadhna Kendra, Chattarpur Road, Mehrauli, New Delhi.
- Ananda Yoga Centre, Satungal, PO Box 1774, Kathmandu.
- Atma Darshan Yogashram, 589/3, 10th Cross, 7th Block, Jayanagar West, Bangalore 560 082
- Bihar Yoga Bharati Ganga Darshan, Munger, Bihar 811 201
- Centre of Light, 31, South Patel Nagar, New Delhi 110 008
- Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy, Box 400, Honesdale, Pennsylvania.
- Institute of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Jindal Nagar, Tumkur Road, Bangalore 560 073
- International Association of Yoga Therapists, 109 Hillside Avenue Mill Valley, California
- International Yoga Society, Lal Bagh, Loni 201 102, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh India
- Iyengar Yoga, 27th Avenue, San Francisco, California
- Kerala Yoga Centre, Kripa, Kundanoor, Maradu, Kochi, India 682 304
- Osho Rajyoga Meditation Centre, C-5/44, Safdarjung Development Area, New Delhi; Phone: 6964533, 6862898
- Self Care Yoga Centre, C-35, Hauz Khas, New Delhi; Phone: 5578122, 6513608
- Sivananda Yoga, 5178 South Lawrence Boulevard Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Sri Aurobindo Centre, Adchini, Qutab Road; Phone: 6512491
- Vipassana Meditation and Research Centre, 13/1, 2nd Main Road, 5th Block, Kumarapark, Bangalore 560 022; Phone: 080-3360896, 6637173
- Vivekananda Yog Ashram, Patparganj Road, Near Radhu Palace; Phone: 2202142, 2210663
- Vivekananda Kendra Yoga Research Foundation, Eknath Bhavan 19, Gavipuram Circle, Bangalore 560 019; Phone: +91-80-425385, 6507347; Fax: +91-80-6608645
- Vyakti Vikas Kendra 19, 39th 'A' Cross, 11th main, 4th 'T' Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore 560 041, India; Phone: 080-6645106; Fax: 080-6635175
- Yoga & Natural Health Care Centre, Sector 6, RK Puram, New Delhi; Phone 6192687
- Yoga Centre, Somatheeram Ayurvedic Beach Resort, Chowara, PO Balaramapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, 695501; Phone: 91-471-481600-03; Fax: 91-471-480 600
- Yoga Health Research Institute, A-5/350, SFS Flats, Paschim Vihar, New Delhi 5681666
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