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According to Ayurveda, regular exercise, including yoga, increases the body's stamina and resistance to disease. It propounds the modern theory that, when done regularly, exercise can reduce anxiety but can also become addictive. |
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Yoga has been practised for literally thousands of years in India. It evolved originally as a technique to help people achieve spiritual enlightenment and was the first system in the world to recognise the connection between the body and the mind. Today, it is practised to improve physical, mental and spiritual health. Most forms of yoga involve physical postures, breathing exercises and meditation which strengthens and tones muscles, improves balance and flexibility, and increases blood flow and vitality besides de-stressing the mind. |
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However, yoga is not instant - it involves adopting an entire philosophy of life. It is a step-wise, stage-wise eight-fold path to liberation from pain and suffering. Of these eight steps, the first five adopt a psychosomatic approach and are known as Bahiranga or external yoga, popularly known as Hatha yoga while the latter three directly affect the psyche and are known as Antaranga or internal yoga, popularly known as Raja yoga.
These steps are :
a) Yama or disciplined behaviour, both personal and social
b) Niyama or self-purification
c) Asana or discipline of the physical body
d) Pranayama or control over bio-energy through respiratory action
e) Pratyahara or control of the senses through abstraction
f) Dharana or concentration
g) Dhyana or meditation
h) Samadhi or trans-consciousness, a state of being in which one experiences absolute tranquillity and well being
Thus, the step-wise, stage-wise progression of the yogi until he/she attains the absolute freedom - the liberation of the spirit from matter. |
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Meditation
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