Yoga Brings the Body and Mind Together for Better Health
Yoga Glossary
Asana
The postures practiced in yoga
Meditation
Anchoring your consciousness to the present moment
Namasté
A salutation at the beginning and end of yoga class, meaning "The divine in me salutes the divine in you" or "I bow to the divine in you"
Pranayama
Breath, life force
Ashtanga
A rigorous practice similar to the training of an elite athlete
Bikram
An exact set of 26 postures with pranayama (breathing) techniques, practiced in a hot (105 degrees) room
Iyengar
A precise and dynamic approach that pays close attention to body alignment
Kundalini
A practice that uses breathing, posture, chanting and meditation to awaken coiled energy at the base of the spine
Sivananda
A 5-point method focusing on proper exercise, breathing, deep relaxation, positive thinking and meditation
February 2004 — Are you interested in reducing stress, building muscle tone and boosting self-esteem? What about increasing strength, improving circulation and stimulating your immune system?
You may wonder what could offer such a powerful combination of mental and physical benefits.
The answer — yoga.
Clear Mind, Strong Body
"Simply put, yoga makes you feel good," says Sue Clark, certified yoga instructor at Memorial Regional Hospital Fitness & Rehabilitation Center and Chief Medical Technologist of the Pathology Department at Memorial Regional Hospital. "Deeper than that, however, are the far-reaching benefits of yoga. By practicing the postures, breathing and meditation, you become healthier in mind, body and spirit. As a result, you are better able to manage your thoughts, feelings and responses to everyday situations."
The benefits of yoga include:
- Improved muscle tone, flexibility, strength and stamina
- Reduced stress and tension
- Enhanced self-esteem
- Improved concentration and creativity
- Reduced weight
- Improved circulation
- Stimulated immune system
- Increased sense of well-being and calm
In addition, yoga may be good for what ails you. Specifically, yoga may aid in managing a wide range of conditions, including anxiety, arthritis, asthma, back pain, blood pressure, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue, depression, diabetes, epilepsy, headaches, heart disease and multiple sclerosis.
Yoga Pointers
Dos:
- Do arrive early - settle in, practice a pose, relax
- Do let your teacher know of any injuries or conditions that might affect your practice
- Do be quiet
- Do bring your own towel or mat
- So take time after class to think about what you learned - it will help you retain and improve
Don'ts:
- Don't eat for 2-3 hours prior to class - you might experience cramps or nausea
- Don't bring cell phones or pagers to class
- Don't push it - avoid injury and work at your own pace, not the pace o f others
- Don't enter late or leave early, as it is disruptive to others
Teachings of the Ages
Developed in India over 5,000 years ago, yoga is a combination of physical and mental exercise. Translated, yoga means "to join or yoke together," and it does just that - it brings the mind and body together into one harmonious experience.
"Yoga is founded on three main structures: exercise, breathing and meditation," says Clark. "Exercises are designed to increase the efficiency and overall health of the body. Breath is considered the source of life in the body, and breathing practice improves the health and function of both the body and mind. The combination of exercise and breathing then prepares the body and mind for meditation. A quiet mind allows silence and healing from everyday stress."
Getting Started
Good for both young and old, yoga offers a style for everyone. In fact, there are over a hundred types of yoga being practiced today. When it comes to choosing a class, Clark offers the following suggestion:
"Try attending a few different types of classes and you'll quickly discover the right match to suit your needs. Classes that have gained popularity usually teach one of the many types of hatha yoga, a physical discipline which focuses mainly on asanas (postures) and breathwork to prepare the body for spiritual pursuits."
More importantly, Clark urges people to find a teacher they are comfortable with. A teacher should gently and properly guide you through the postures without using excess pressure or causing discomfort.
"There's nothing more rewarding than when a student is excited about his or her progress, both physically and mentally," says Clark. "As teachers, it is our responsibility to encourage growth and fulfillment without injury or discouragement."
For more information on yoga and other fitness classes, contact the Memorial Regional Hospital Fitness & Rehabilitation Center at (954) 265-5800.