Everyone can practice and benefit from yoga, no matter how old. People from the ages of 6 to 80 can easily learn and practice yoga. Even professional athletes have studied it and there are special classes now for handicapped persons. yoga
can be used to overcome a vast array of personal problems and is
especially good for people who want to lose weight. The overall
philosophy tends to promote a vegetarian diet and encourages the
elimination of meat and dairy products.
Raga yoga is the mental practice of yoga and teaches practitioners five mental meditation techniques. yoga
meditation concentrates on breathing and calms the nerves, overcomes
anxiety, fear, worry, anger and negative emotions, and quiets the mind.
Many people practice yoga meditation to calm themselves and relieve stress. It has been found that older people who practice yoga
can often regain some characteristics of youth and vitality such as
improved memory and better concentration. They become more flexibility,
have better balance, endurance, coordination, and they feel more
energized.
Yoga improves both physical and mental health when practiced regularly. Yoga works on every part of the human organism, both internal and external. Physical yoga
consists of passive stretching and breathing exercises which improve
muscle tone and stimulate internal organs. When combined with proper
dietary habits, it cleanses the body and eliminates toxins and waste.
The benefits from yoga cleansing techniques include support of
normal regularity, stronger resistance to colds and flu viruses, and
improved circulation throughout the body.
Westernized yoga classes mostly focus on learning physical poses, which are called "asanas". These yoga classes also include mediation and breathing exercises along with dietary guidelines. The majority of yoga
classes are designed for purely relaxation and stress management,
however many styles teach people to move their body in special ways to
achieve greater flexibility, muscle tone, strength, and balance.
For most healthy people, yoga is a safe, non-aerobic exercise program; however, it is not without certain risks. Although yoga has provided many great health
benefits for millions of people, it is not a substitute for proper
medical care, nor is it to be taken lightly. Don't try learning yoga
on your own from a video or book. It is much safer and better to work
with an experienced and certified instructor to learn the proper way to
avoid injury while performing the postures and stretches. Learn what
your limits are and do not try to strain or stretch beyond them. Go slow
in the beginning and make sure you warm up properly before each
session. Cold muscles can cause injuries. Wear the proper loose-fitting
clothing that allows freedom of movement. Stay hydrated, especially if
practicing "hot yoga", which is done in warm and humid rooms to
encourage perspiration. Ask questions of the instructor if you don't
understand an exercise, or ask to see it demonstrated before you attempt
it yourself. Above all, listen to your body and pay attention to what
it is telling you. If you feel pain or faint, then stop immediately. yoga
may cause some discomfort, but it isn't supposed to hurt. Stop
immediately if you have chest pain, get overheated, or become dizzy, or
weak. Get immediate medical care if your symptoms continue after you
stop.
