The Benefits of Yoga and Meditation In today’s environment, many people are suffering with the stress and anxiety of day to day living and are finding themselves unable to cope with life’s little emergencies. Prescription drugs are on the rise due to the increasing need for people to deal with their stress and anxiety. However, many people are searching for ways to be less stressed and live a happy and healthy life without drugs. If stress and anxiety are getting the best of you, then think about grabbing a mat and giving yoga and meditation a spin.
With that in mind, this paper will take a look at the benefits of yoga and meditation to create a more peaceful and healthy lifestyle. What is Yoga? Yoga is a centuries-old Eastern philosophy but what does a person normally think of when the word “yoga” is mentioned? Many will say they immediately think of uncompromising poses that only a young and nubile person could possibly achieve. Others may say that it is a practice that takes years of discipline and patience to acquire. While there may be a bit of truth in both these explanations, Shane Bance wrote an article on the definition of yoga and he defines it this way:Yoga is an ancient Indian body of knowledge that dates back more than 500 years ago.
The word "Yoga" came from the Sanskrit word "yuj" which means "to unite or integrate. " Yoga then is about the union of a person's own consciousness and the universal consciousness. (Bance, 2012) Yoga is a blend of postures and breathing techniques that are combined to reduce stress and anxiety. Meditation, at the same time, is also beneficial to relieving stress and creating balance in one’s life. What is Meditation? While a meditative state is a natural outcome of practicing yoga, meditation s defined by The Free Dictionary ” is a practice of concentrated focus upon a sound, object, visualization, the breath, movement, or attention itself in order to increase awareness of the present moment, reduce stress, promote relaxation, and enhance personal and spiritual growth” (Farlex, 2013).
Although meditation is normally perceived as a spiritual practice, like yoga, it also offers many health benefits. The Benefits of Yoga Yoga combines physical exertion along with mental discipline to achieve a balance between mind and body.There are many benefits to practicing yoga such as improving one’s flexibility, toning muscles and reducing stress. Yoga is even getting the green light from many physicians as an alternative method for their patients suffering from a number of disorders and sports injuries. These disorders range from depression, heart disease, breast cancer, menopause, chronic back pain and even weight loss.
Being physically fit, which yoga can accomplish, is as important as being mentally fit by including meditation to a daily routine. The Benefits of MeditationMeditation is a technique used by many as a way to relax mentally and detach from their everyday thoughts and emotions. Many sports enthusiasts and athletes are including meditation as part of their workout to improve concentration. Even though meditation has normally been recognized as a spiritual practice, there are also many health benefits one can enjoy. Health benefits of practicing meditation can include “lower heart rate, lowered levels of cortisol and lactate - two chemicals associated with stress, decreased anxiety and depression, decreased irritability and moodiness and improved learning ability and memory” (Merrifield, 2012).People who practice meditation on a consistent basis claim to sleep better at night and suffer from insomnia less frequently.
Consider meditation as a time-out for adults! Yoga and Meditation: A Perfect Union Combining yoga and meditation or yoga meditation, is a beautiful way to relax and de-stress after a long day. The positions of yoga gently stretch the body and then allow your muscles to relax while meditation helps to alleviate the pressures and problems that arise throughout the day. Many people think that yoga and meditation are two different things but the two go hand in hand.Yoga meditation is an exercise program that includes stretching and exercises that use deep breathing to bring peace and tranquility. While it’s true that you can meditate without performing yoga, yoga on the other hand, always involves some form of meditation. Yoga and Meditation Styles There are many different styles, forms and intensities of yoga that one can practice.
Yoga is not a one-size-fits-all type of exercise. The beauty of yoga is that anyone at any age, including the elderly, can practice this ancient art.Many gyms are now offering yoga classes to their members as well as yoga-specific studios which are popping up all across the country. Keep in mind that one style is not better than another but rather a personal preference. If taking a class, it’s important that the student is comfortable with the teacher, notably; liking one’s teacher is also true of learning and practicing meditation. Following is a list and short description of yoga styles that have been or are becoming quite popular all over the world.
All yoga styles incorporate meditation into them. Ashtanga – This yoga is for those who want a serious and physically demanding workout. “It involves synchronizing breathing with progressive and continuous series of postures-a process producing intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs” (Mats, LLC, 2013). Not recommended for beginners.
Madonna, singer, songwriter and actress, is a fan and practices ashtanga regularly. (Wade, 2012) * Vinyasa - A less intense version of ashtanga, this focuses on synchronizing the breath with the movements that connect the poses.While vinyasa is less intensive then ashtanga, it is still not for the faint of heart. * Bikram – This method of yoga that is a comprehensive workout that includes all the components of fitness: muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiovascular flexibility and weight loss” (Mats, LLC, 2013).
This style is the only form of yoga that has participants in a heated room that is between 95-105 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature promotes detoxification, flexibility and less chance for injuries. Athletes that enjoy bikram yoga are Serena Williams and David Beckham. Millado, 2012) * Iyengar – Considered one of the more therapeutic types of yoga, this style highlights alignment through the use of props such as chairs, blankets, blocks, straps and pillows.
Transition from one pose to the next is slower and each pose is held for a minute or so with care to breathing in between. This style is especially good for beginners, elderly, sick and disabled and is one of the most popular styles of yoga. Although he incorporates a number of yoga styles, Adam Levine from the band Maroon 5 and The Voice, practices iyengar. Hooper, 2011) * Kundalini – This form of yoga tends to be one of the more controversial and powerful of the styles practiced by yoga followers. It concentrates on awakening the energy located at the base of one’s spine and bringing it upward.
This style involves chanting, meditation and breathing exercises along with the poses. Advantages to practicing this yoga include an increase in circulation and strengthening of the immune system. The disadvantages may involve headaches, moodiness and body pain, to name a few. Celebrities such as Reese Witherspoon, Russell Brand and Gwenyth Paltrow have engaged in kundalini yoga.
McCollum, 2012) In Conclusion Choosing a yoga meditation style is a personal choice. Taking 7-10 minutes a day may add years to one’s life by reducing stress and anxiety while increasing strength, flexibility and balance. It can benefit people of any age, sex and disposition. Including yoga and meditation on a daily basis can also increase resistance to illness, improve health, and develop a person’s mental abilities. The beauty of yoga is that doing each pose is not a necessity, if it’s uncomfortable – don’t do it. As with anything new, find which style works best and then say goodbye to stress and hello to relaxation.
Namaste. References Bance, S. (2012). What is Yoga: Definition of Yoga and the Six Branches of Yoga. Retrieved March 16, 2013, from ABC's of Yoga: http://www.
abc-of-yoga. com/beginnersguide/whatisyoga. asp Farlex. (2013). Meditation.
Retrieved March 20, 2013, from The Free Dictionary: http://medical-dictionary. thefreedictionary. com/meditation Hooper, J. (2011, December). Adam Levine's Rock-Star Yoga.
Retrieved March 21, 2013, from Details: http://www. details. com/health-fitness/celebrity-workout/201112/maroon-5-adam-levine-yoga-workout-video Mats, LLC. 2013). Different Types of Yoga.
Retrieved March 19, 2013, from Mats Mats Mats: http://www. matsmatsmats. com/yoga/yoga-disciplines. html McCollum, L. (2012, May 16).
The Kundalini Yoga Brand: How Russell Brand and Other Celebrities are Making Kundalini Yoga Mainstream. Retrieved March 21, 2013, from Spirit Voyage Blog: http://www. spiritvoyage. com/blog/index.
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