Yoga refers to an exercise program whose main aim is to train one’s consciousness for a state of tranquillity and to promote control of the body. There are different types of yoga which are practised with various goals. The most remarkable benefits derived from practising yoga are awareness, confidence, and relaxation.
Some people take it as part of their daily routine as a fitness program. It can also be done with an aim to discover your spiritual nature. Others practice it as a therapy to aid in finding solutions and relief to ailments like backaches and asthma.
If you decide to take yoga, you should, first of all, find a good teacher to take you through it. You should also find the best form of yoga that seeks to address your reason behind trying it. There are many forms of yoga. The different types that are common include;
Vinyasa
It is recommended for beginners or anyone who wants to make their bodies stronger especially when it comes to muscle strengthening. It includes taking different poses and learning some breathing movements. It promotes a sense of relief and comfort. It strengthens your abdominal muscles, relieving backache and is also helpful to people who have diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart complications.
Hatha
If you are a beginner or want to learn basic yoga, you should go for it. It is carried out at a slow pace. It is a stress reliever and a good fitness program. It also greatly improves breathing.
Bikram
It is commonly referred to as hot yoga and releases toxic substances from your body. It involves 26 poses. They are helpful in promoting excessive sweating and making tight muscles looser. Anyone with physical injuries can consider it.
Ashtanga
It is commonly practised by people who want to have a deep spiritual awareness of their nature. It focuses on eight limbs and also involves push ups. It can help you shed off your extra pounds. It is also helpful to those people who might be stressed up. Most importantly, it improves coordination.
Iyengar
It is mainly focused on people who have problems with their body balance. The eight areas covered in ashtanga above are also practised.
As opposed to false myths and beliefs about it, it is very clear that yoga is very helpful to the body and anyone can go for it. Some people think that it is some form of magic or something that is very difficult to understand. Others even think that it should only be practised by certain tribes like the Hindu.
Having known its benefits, you can enrol in a yoga class. It is, however, important to note that some schools will discourage you from taking foods like meat, eggs, milk among others and require you to be a strict vegetarian throughout the whole exercise. This is because the foods might interfere with your learning process.
For you to successfully practice or teach yoga, you have to have the virtues of purity, clarity of mind and of course self- discipline. You have to be open to learning and sharing. You also have to be very active.
