Stay Healthy with Yoga

Stay Healthy – Practice Yoga for Physical, Mental and Spiritual Wellbeing
 
Yoga is often understood as being limited to asanas or poses, and its benefits are only perceived to be those of any kind of physical exercise. However, we fail to realize the immense benefits yoga offers in the overall Wellbeing of an individual. The word ‘Yoga’ comes from the root word, ‘Yuj’ that means, ‘to join or unite’. So broadly defining it, we can say Yoga means to connect. What do we need to connect to? It is our own true nature and self. Yoga thus helps in uniting all aspects of our being – the body, mind, breath and spirit bringing them in a beautiful state of harmony. True Yoga is to have all the powers (mind, body, senses, breath) in a human bring under his control.

When you are in harmony with all parts of your being/ self, the journey through life is calmer, happier and more enjoyable one.
 
Yoga has medical and health benefits

In this age of technology, in order to maintain the good lifestyle and to bring more prosperity, man struggles day and night. He neglects the body and the mind and puts himself in lot of strain and stress. On account of too much exertion, the body is weakened. Due to the high rate of inhalation and exhalation, he becomes tired and loses mental peace. This affects Sleep and thereby spoils impacts his physical health.

Many research studies on Yoga have concluded that Yoga is the solution to this problem and many such ailments. People who practice yoga regularly have seen many positive changes in their life.
 

 
Yoga helps control vagaries of the mind

There Cannot be a Healthy Body without a healthy Mind. Mind is responsible for both happiness and sorrow, bondage and liberation. Mind in itself, of its own course can either make heaven out of hell or hell out of heaven. We must thus practice understanding the nature of our own minds then try to control it by regular practice.

In times of anger or difficulties, a clean and strong mind will help use tolerate and forbear, face our situations boldly and even have patience and courage to move forward in our lives. Steadiness of mind can be achieved through Purity – Keeping pure thoughts and speaking and acting positively on those thoughts. That is the way to a successful life.

That is why in Yoga we have the aspect of – Yama. Yama refers to the control of the inner and outer senses. We have to ensure only good thoughts and feelings are acquired. Therefore, yoga is completely based upon one’s sankalpas (thoughts). With yoga, we try to transform all thoughts into good thoughts – into thoughts that are pleasant and pure and achieve steadiness of the mind.

Through practice of maintaining this purity and steadiness, we step into Divinity or Universal power. The moment we step into Divinity, all ill will, hatred, fear and worry vanish. We feel whole and complete, secure and strong.
 

 
Yoga brings Discipline-

Sage Patanjali dedicated his life for the sake of yoga. He propagated that human life is based upon health and that without health life itself cannot exist. This is because for any task one has to accomplish, the body is most essential. But for the body, discipline is most essential. Thus one of the most important roles of Yoga is to impart this virtue of Discipline. Na Sreyo Niyamam Vina – There can be no Wellbeing without discipline.

Discipline can be applied to any activity – being more productive at work, improving your relationships, following a healthy diet, learning a new hobby, even controlling your anger and emotions. No success is possible without discipline. All practice of Yoga is based on discipline. These practices bring you more awareness. You start to understand your mind and body better. You become more connected with your own needs. Awareness and understanding will give you a clear perspective and keep you disciplined in everything you do.

Practicing yoga on a regular basis also helps in achieving mental discipline, which eventually becomes an integral part of one’s routine. You will notice great positive changes in your work, habits, and lifestyle. You will begin to appreciate your life and everything you have more. This International Yoga day (21st June,) commit to making the practice of Yoga a daily habit in your life and unleash your own healing powers lying within you.
 
 
All the best!
Dr. Karishma Ahuja, PhD
 
 
Watch complete Playlist on Chakra Balancing and Healing
 
 
Also read: How to Attain Peace of Mind