Why Yoga?
There is little doubt that you have heard of yoga (especially if you are on this site), but if you are not convinced that the benefits of yoga will translate into your personal life then you may be reluctant to begin a yoga practice. Here are some of the reasons why yoga can benefit your life no matter what your lifestyle or level of physical fitness, and how you can easily integrate it into your daily routine. The benefits are truly remarkable and the rewards significant, not only to your physical health, but also to your mental and spiritual health as well.
Development of Inner Peace and Strength
Though yoga is usually associated with the physical postures (or the asanas), there is a lot more to yoga than this. Through the practice of the other elements of yoga, as described by the eight limbs or paths of yoga, a serious student of yoga can also find harmony of the mind and spirit as well. This includes breathing exercises and meditation as well as the practice of living in unison with the world around us and within ourselves.
Stress Reduction
One of the best documented benefits of yoga is that of stress reduction. This benefit can be seen just from a weekly class in yoga postures or asanas in any style you feel comfortable with. The benefits however, are amplified if the use of breathing techniques and meditation are also practiced alongside it. Meditation in particular has been shown to be beneficial to those that need to reduce their stress levels or who suffer from conditions such as anxiety and depression.
Increase in Physical Strength and Stamina
Perhaps the best known benefit of yoga is the increased strength and flexibility to the body that it can provide. Even after your first practice session you can feel the increased relaxation and flexibility in the body. There are also a number of documented health benefits associated with the regular practice of yoga, including decreased blood pressure, weight loss and improved circulation; just to name a few.
In general, yoga is a great and inexpensive way to get some exercise into your daily routine that can also give you the added benefit of peace of mind, and when practiced regularly can really change your life and health in a positive way.
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Why do some yoga teachers start their class with a prayer?
This is an ancient custom known as Mangala-aacharanam (customary benediction). A prayer at the beginning of an undertaking was belived to be essential for success. It usually consisted of a mantra for peace but it can also be a salutation, a blessing or an introduction.
Patanjali says that 'teachings that commence with a prayer branch out and its students become brave, pre-eminent, long-lived & successful'. Even just pronouncing 'Om' or 'atha' (now) ensures that the work is being started with a sense of the present and a positive attitude of acceptance for the unknown results.
