Discover the history and tradition of yoga to broaden your awareness in your daily practice. What is yoga, and what benefits does it bring to anyone who decides to begin their individual adventure with it? We bring you the most important facts.
Who can practice yoga?
One of the most beautiful aspects of yoga is that it is truly for everyone. Regardless of age, fitness level, or physical condition, yoga strengthens the body and soothes the mind for anyone willing to dedicate even a few minutes a day to an individual practice. For some, yoga is a choice of an ethical path – it is not just exercise, but a philosophy for life. What is yoga and what are the benefits of practicing it?
History and tradition of yoga
The origins of yoga can be found in ancient Indian philosophy. As one of the darshanas, or philosophical systems, yoga has its source in the Vedas, the oldest texts of Indian culture. It was systematized by the sage Patanjali in the treatise "Yoga Sutras," which remains the most important book regarding the lineage and understanding of yoga to this day. This is why the asanas performed during practice have both modern names, like "downward-facing dog," and nomenclature pronounced in Sanskrit – adho mukha svanasana. For ancient yogis, yoga practice allowed them primarily to gradually change their lives and achieve enlightenment.
At the beginning of the 19th century, an intense meeting of two worlds: East and West, caused yoga to begin spreading outside the cultural circle of Asian countries. In the 20th century, yoga masters and teachers traveled to the West more and more often, promoting its physical aspects (hatha yoga) and the benefits gained from the regular practice of asanas.
What is yoga today?
Therefore, today, we understand the term yoga primarily as a set of specific exercises – asanas – combined with various breathing and meditation techniques. The popularity of yoga means that we can now choose from many of its varieties, such as Ashtanga, Iyengar, Power Yoga, Aerial Yoga, Hot Yoga, or Yin Yoga.
What does yoga give you? Benefits of practicing!
Regular practice of yogic asanas brings many benefits, which participants can observe themselves after just a few sessions. Strengthening the back and joints, as well as stretching muscles, can help say goodbye to lower back and shoulder pain caused by a sedentary lifestyle or injuries. Research conducted under the direction of Satoshi Ohno at Osaka University also showed that regular performance of asanas lowers cortisol levels (popularly called the stress hormone) and blood pressure. The relaxation that every yoga session brings has a soothing and rejuvenating effect on the body. Concentration on the breath and meditation techniques practiced in yoga also bring calm to everyday situations, and they increase mindfulness and concentration, helping us embrace every aspect of reality.
Elements of yoga in other sports training
Individual asanas have long been used during other physical workouts aimed at strengthening or stretching the body. The popular plank, recommended to those who want to sculpt their abs and glutes, is kumbhakasana, which in yoga prepares the body for performing advanced balancing asanas. The stretching of the abductor muscles and hamstrings in the "tent" position, often performed by runners, is one of the standing asanas – padottanasana, which also stimulates blood flow to the torso and neck, enhancing concentration and stimulating the nervous system. Therefore, perhaps you are practicing yoga without even knowing it? Fully discover the benefits of regular practice by starting a more conscious adventure with it. We offer clothing, accessories, and yoga mats at JOYINME.
