Yoga Activity & Yoga Facts – Yoga is such a physical activity which centers your thoughts and increases your flexibility, strengthens your muscles, while calming and relaxing the body. It is safe to say that Yoga encompasses physical, mental and spiritual practices.
Yoga activity originated in ancient India and has spread over range of countries, including Asia and America. In most countries you will find number of people who practice Yoga while enjoying of all its health benefits.
According to a 2003 survey by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association, an estimated 13.4 million Americans practice yoga or other mind-body exercises such as tai chi. Of those, an estimated 1.6 million were 55 or older. According to data published in 2004 in the journal Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, an estimated 15 million American adults have used yoga at least once in their lifetime, and individuals interviewed for that study reported that they used yoga for wellness (stress reduction, quality of life), health conditions, and specific ailments like back or neck pain. And 90% felt yoga was very or somewhat helpful.
To enjoy all the Yoga benefits, one need to understand which type of Yoga matches for you. There are dozens of types of Yoga and this comes as different Yogis develop their own approach, style and pattern.
Important Yoga Types You need To Know
There are different types of Yoga coming from various teachers and Yogis. Everyone with their own idea and philosophy to the activity. They include but not limited to the following; Jnana, Bhakti, Bikram, Karma, Raja, Hatha, Kundalini, Mantra, Tantra, Iyengar, Astanga, Vini, Ananda, Anusara, Integral, Kali Ray Tri, Kripalu, Kundalini, and Sivananda.
Below I have listed the ones that are most popular in the U.S and there are so many other types of Yoga you can also find within your locale and even online.
1. Hatha Yoga: This is the most widely type of Yoga practiced in the United States and it is known to suit every beginner. Hatha prepares the body fit for other higher practices and meditation. If you are looking for the Yoga practice that stretches and works on your muscle while relaxing and decreasing your stress, then think Hatha.
2. Iyengar Yoga: Although Iyengar is similar to Hatha yoga in the sense that it uses poses similar to Hatha and also good for beginners, it differs by focusing on body alignment and balance.
3. Kundalini Yoga: This type of yoga focuses more on breathing, chanting and meditation with a more spiritual touch than Hatha. Kundalini deals with energy balance in the body and can be physically and mentally challenging if you’re new to yoga poses and chanting.
4. Bikram Yoga: Bikram involves a room practice because it is usually carried out in the room. Most of the time the room is enclosed to be unventilated and heated to about 105 degrees Fahrenheit. It is done to induce sweat and loosen muscle as to remove waste through sweating.
5. Ashtanga Yoga focuses on building strength and endurance by moving from one quick pose to another. This type of yoga is for those who look for tough and physically challenging workout.
What Are 10 Health Benefits Of Yoga?
Although research is continuously on-going on the health benefits on Yoga, but the results are never conclusive following the nature and rigorous standards placed on the researchers of such information. In any case, this is not to say that Yoga is definitely not good for you.
1. Mood: Both men and women have reported decrease in tension, fatigue and anger after yoga class.
2. Diabetes: There is some proof suggesting yoga may help lower blood glucose level. Though in some cases subjects are also exposed to dietary and lifestyle counseling and interventions.
3. It drops your blood pressure (Hypertension)
4. Asthma: There is some evidence to show that reducing symptoms of asthma and even reduction in asthma medication are the result of regular yoga. This does not in any way suggest that you should do away with your asthma medications.
5. Yoga has been seen to increase flexibility and strength.
6. It helps in weight loss and reduction.
7. Improved respiration, energy and vitality.
8. Improves cardio and circulatory health.
9. Improves athletic performance.
10. Creates a balanced metabolism.
11. Yoga prevents cartilage and joint breakdown.
Yoga is an essential part of living for those who practice and there are so many facts about the practices. Do you feel there are some facts we should have covered in this simple Yoga facts, do let us know and also share your thoughts with us using the comment box below.
