Yoga has been in practice for over thousands of years. In its most traditional sense, it is defined as the union between the individual and the universal. As a fitness routine, it is a great way to get in shape by toning your muscles and aligning your body. It is also an emotionally and mentally fulfilling exercise, as the breathing and meditation exercises serve to pull you away from the problems that weigh you down.
Let go and live in the moment
In this day and age, it is easy to get caught up in our fears and problems. Oftentimes, our negative thoughts can become so overwhelming that it virtually cripples us. Meditation is the practice of letting things go. It is a practice of emptying the mind of all its thoughts and finding your center so you can be at peace. Many people think that it is impossible to keep their minds under control, but when they take the time out to meditate, the stress of the entire working day melts away, allowing a moment of peace to permeate your mind.
As more and more people practice yoga, they begin to find that their thoughts do not allow them to savor living for the present moment. Moving in yoga and focusing on the breath and the body allow you to think of nothing but the present, and allow you to cast away your thoughts and emotions. This constant act of letting go allows us to dive into the present moment again and again. When practiced earnestly and properly in yoga, the habit begins to find its way into our behavior.
Positive physical effects
Research suggests that meditation also has some positive physiological effects. When a person is stressed, the vein walls contract and this is the cause of high blood pressure. Meditation allows blood to flow easily by expanding the veins. Stress is also caused by lots of electric tension in the brain. Excess electric tension gives way to headaches, one of the most common stress-related ailments. Meditation has been shown to significantly reduce electric tension in the brain, allowing it to rest and heal itself, which is why you feel much more alive and refreshed after meditation.
Yoga is the union of the mind, body and spirit. When one aspect is damaged, the other two do not receive the full benefits of yoga. When your body is in good shape, your mind and spirit will follow.
The more you practice meditation, the more you are able to look deep within yourself and examine patterns and behaviors that hold you back from becoming the person you want to be. Doing this in conjunction with the physical aspect of yoga will help you train your mind to return to a peaceful state.
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