| It is argued among scholars that the earliest signs of | | | | If you cringe when the word exercise is mentioned, |
| yoga were evidenced in the stone seals discovered at | | | | then yoga is for you. Yoga involves creating a |
| Indus Valley Civilization (c. 3300-1700 B.C.E.) sites in | | | | balance in the body through developing both strength |
| Pakistan. Figures were depicted in positions | | | | and flexibility through the performance of poses and |
| resembling a common yoga or meditation pose. The | | | | postures. In simpler terms: strengthening through |
| Buddhist texts are probably the earliest texts | | | | stretching. The more you practice, the more flexible |
| describing meditation techniques. They describe | | | | you become and the more body strength you develop. |
| meditative practices and states which had existed | | | | Proper Breathing |
| before the Buddha, as well as those which were first | | | | We all know that breathing is a natural reflexive |
| developed within Buddhism. In Hindu literature, the | | | | action. Most of us go about our daily routine without |
| term 'yoga' refers to the control of the senses and the | | | | being mindful of our breathing. Yet the average |
| cessation of mental activity leading to a supreme | | | | person is unaware that there is a proper way to |
| state, a spiritual discipline, a meditation. | | | | breathe. We come into the world as good breathers; |
| Hatha Yoga is a particular system of yoga that | | | | inhaling and exhaling from our abdomens. Over time, |
| focuses on the purification of the physical body as | | | | we unlearn this process due to adverse external |
| leading to the purification of the mind and vital energy. | | | | influences such as stress. Through Yoga you will |
| Hatha Yoga marks the development of the full body | | | | relearn that slow, deep breathing allows the abdomen |
| postures now in popular usage. In its many modern | | | | to expand bringing into the lungs the amount of oxygen |
| variations, Hatha Yoga is the style that many people | | | | needed to nourish all the cells of the body. It also |
| associate with the word 'Yoga' today. | | | | slows down the heart rate, relaxes muscles and calms |
| Modern yoga is based upon 5 basic principles: | | | | the mind. |
| Positive Thinking and Meditation | | | | Proper Diet |
| Proper Relaxation | | | | Along with breathing, eating is another reflexive |
| Proper Breathing | | | | action. And, just like breathing, over time we begin to |
| Proper Exercise | | | | develop an improper means of mollifying our hunger |
| Proper Diet | | | | pangs by indulging in junk foods and fast foods. An |
| Most people think of yoga as 'the twisting of ones | | | | improper diet has many adverse effects on the |
| body into pretzel form'. The true definition of yoga is | | | | human body. Overall, it's an auto-intoxication, which |
| the union of ones mind, body, and spirit. It is the | | | | means self-poisoning. All of the body organs are |
| coming together of the three in one accord that make | | | | effected by this auto-intoxication. A proper diet does |
| it possible for 'the twisting of ones body into pretzel | | | | not mean giving up everything that tastes good. Also, |
| form'. It would be impossible to start out in pretzel | | | | the average person will eat all of what's in front of |
| form unless, of course, you are a contortionist. So, | | | | them rather than eating until they are full. It's more a |
| let's start with the first principle: | | | | habit than a means to suppressing their hunger. They |
| Positive Thinking and Meditation | | | | continue to eat even after they are no longer hungry. |
| According to history, Yoga was first referenced as a | | | | An improper diet is learned, therefore, you just need to |
| form of meditation. Meditation has been defined as | | | | unlearn it. Take time to look at how and what you |
| the self-regulation of attention, in the service of | | | | eat. Then just slowly begin to give up those bad |
| self-inquiry, in the here and now. The various | | | | habits. I don't recommend anyone going on a crash |
| techniques encompass a wide range of disciplines that | | | | diet. That too is harmful to the body. It took time for |
| may emphasize different goals such as a higher state | | | | you to learn your bad eating habits, it will take time to |
| of consciousness, greater focus, creativity or | | | | unlearn them. |
| self-awareness, or simply a more relaxed and | | | | When you consider the 5 basic principles of Yoga, it |
| peaceful frame of mind. | | | | should be evident to you that gaining total balance of |
| Proper Relaxation | | | | the whole person is a concept that is necessary to the |
| One of the definitions of relaxation is 'the freedom | | | | well-being of every human. A beginner's yoga |
| from activity', which, for some people in today's world | | | | practice should start you off slowly, as should any |
| who are trying to balance home, family, and work, is | | | | new exercise program. Yoga has postures and |
| the equivalence to sleep. Another definition of | | | | breathing techniques for almost all diseases, health |
| relaxation is 'a feeling of refreshing tranquility and an | | | | disorders, allergies, pains, and so on. Many of the |
| absence of tension or worry'. You should be able to | | | | exercises are simple and will prove to have a |
| easily reach that level of relaxation if you started with | | | | qualitative influence on whatever ails you. |
| the first principle: Positive Thinking and Meditation. | | | | And why not get the whole family involved. Yoga is |
| Proper Exercise | | | | for everyone of all ages. |