Yoga is a specialized practice designed to create a strong, long-lasting mind-body connection in individuals through distinct movements, breathing techniques, and meditative aspects.
The ancient practice of yoga is deeply rooted in Indian philosophy. When this practice first came to be almost 5,000 years ago, it was heavily based in spiritual aspects. [1]However, over time it has evolved into a popular way for individuals to obtain a better physical and mental well-being as well. In general though, yoga is a practice that aims to create a deep and lasting connection between the body, mind, and spirit so that an individual’s entire being can be joined together in harmony.
The asanas, or physical postures, of yoga include a series a movements that are designed to increase strength and flexibility. These poses range from easy, relaxing poses to ones that test the physical and balancing limits of individuals. [2]
Pranayama, or breathing, is an integral part to the practice of yoga. During yoga, individuals learn how to control their breathing which in turn helps them to quiet their mind and better control their body. [2]
Dyana, or meditation, is often incorporated into the practice of yoga. Meditation helps individuals to become more mindful, relaxed, and better aware of their minds and bodies. [2]
As Dr. Natalie Nevins, a family physician and yoga instructor, explained, “The purpose of yoga is to build strength, awareness and harmony in both the mind and body.” [3]Therefore, the practice’s purpose is not only to improve an individual’s physical abilities, but to bring a sense of peace and serenity to the mind. The creation of a strong mind-body connection is imperative to a student’s success in yoga.
Type | About |
---|---|
Vinyasa yoga | The most athletic style of yoga where individuals flow from pose to pose while coordinating their movement and breath. |
Prenatal yoga | Helps women in all trimesters of pregnancy learn breathing and relaxation techniques to use during labor. |
Restorative yoga | Focuses on body relaxation to help individuals free their minds and relieve stress after a long day. |
Yin yoga | Slow-paced, meditative style of yoga that is comprised of longer held seated postures. |
Hatha yoga | Classic approach to breathing and exercises for beginners. |
Anusara yoga | Focuses on body alignment and the formation of a mind-body-heart connection. |
Bikram yoga | Sequence of 26 basic postures in a sauna-like room. |
Iyengar yoga | Focuses on alignment and detailed, precise movements with breath control. |
Kundalini yoga | Intense core work, chanting, and meditation in a fast-moving environment. |
Ashtanga yoga | Physically demanding posture sequences for more advanced individuals. |
Jivamukti yoga | A vinyasa style class with Hindu spiritual teachings. |
Source: [6]
There are hundreds of different poses found in the practice of yoga. All of these poses are used to strengthen, stretch, and relax various muscles and areas of the body. Groups of various poses are often gathered together so that they can be collectively used to benefit individuals in specific ways. For example, there are specific poses for individuals looking for ones to use for fitness, back pain, or flexibility related reasons.
The physical benefits of yoga are quite extensive as there are not only known physical benefits, but many benefits that are being discovered and researched currently.
The meditative and breathing techniques taught during the practice of yoga have been proven to help individual’s mental well-being. For example, the coping skills and positive life outlook that is developed during yoga can be very effective in helping people manage their stress. Since prolonged stress has been found to create harmful physical problems such as neck and back pain, sleeping issues, headaches, and difficulty concentrating, it is important for individuals to learn necessary preventative skills. [3]
Viniyoga is a form of yoga therapy that adapts the methods of yoga practices to better fit the conditions, needs, and interests of each individual. Since everyone has their own abilities, physical conditions, and workout interests, instructors of Vinyoga focus on creating the best personalized therapy they can for each of their students. This adaptation and individualization of yoga techniques allows for teachers to better meet the potentials and goals of everyone they instruct. [16]
Mr. Gary Kraftsow, a certified yoga therapist, evolved this approach to yoga in the United States after learning from two yoga masters in India named T. Krishnamacharya and T.K.V. Desikachar in 1974. Then, in 1983 he opened the Maui School of Yoga Therapy and in 1999 he founded the American Viniyoga Institute. These schools have taught many new yoga teachers, yoga therapists, and other health professionals the beneficial ways of Viniyoga for decades now. [16]
In a 2018 evaluation of 138 studies on yoga usage in patients with various types of cancer (10,660 total participants), most found that the practice improved patients’ physical and psychological symptoms and bettered their quality of life. Then, a 2017 review of 24 studies in patients with breast cancer (2,166 total participants) found moderate-quality evidence that yoga was beneficial in reducing sleep disturbances and fatigue when compared with no treatment. Also, yoga was, “…more helpful than educational interventions for reducing depression, anxiety, and fatigue in women with breast cancer, and it may have been as helpful as other forms of exercise for health-related quality of life and fatigue…” [1]
In a 2018 evaluation of 13 studies (1,306 total participants) it was discovered that yoga reduced physical symptoms such as hot flashes along with psychological symptoms when compared with no treatment. [1]
In a 2017 evaluation of 23 studies (2,473 participants) it was found that a participation in yoga programs was associated with improved blood sugar control in individuals with type 2 diabetes, at least on a short-term basis. [1]
The 2017 NHIS found that the use of yoga by U.S. adults increased from 9.5% in 2012 to 14.3% in 2017. Then, the percentage of U.S. children who participated in yoga more increased from 3.1% in 2012 to 8.4% in 2017. Furthermore, a 2012 NHIS found that 94% of adults who practiced yoga did so to create a general wellness, prevent disease, and/or improve energy. Lastly, 18% reported that they used yoga to treat a specific health condition. [1]
Yoga is a specialized practice designed to create a strong, long-lasting mind-body connection in individuals through distinct movements, breathing techniques, and meditative aspects.
The ancient practice of yoga is deeply rooted in Indian philosophy. When this practice first came to be almost 5,000 years ago, it was heavily based in spiritual aspects. [1]However, over time it has evolved into a popular way for individuals to obtain a better physical and mental well-being as well. In general though, yoga is a practice that aims to create a deep and lasting connection between the body, mind, and spirit so that an individual’s entire being can be joined together in harmony.
The asanas, or physical postures, of yoga include a series a movements that are designed to increase strength and flexibility. These poses range from easy, relaxing poses to ones that test the physical and balancing limits of individuals. [2]
Pranayama, or breathing, is an integral part to the practice of yoga. During yoga, individuals learn how to control their breathing which in turn helps them to quiet their mind and better control their body. [2]
Dyana, or meditation, is often incorporated into the practice of yoga. Meditation helps individuals to become more mindful, relaxed, and better aware of their minds and bodies. [2]
As Dr. Natalie Nevins, a family physician and yoga instructor, explained, “The purpose of yoga is to build strength, awareness and harmony in both the mind and body.” [3]Therefore, the practice’s purpose is not only to improve an individual’s physical abilities, but to bring a sense of peace and serenity to the mind. The creation of a strong mind-body connection is imperative to a student’s success in yoga.
Type | About |
---|---|
Vinyasa yoga | The most athletic style of yoga where individuals flow from pose to pose while coordinating their movement and breath. |
Prenatal yoga | Helps women in all trimesters of pregnancy learn breathing and relaxation techniques to use during labor. |
Restorative yoga | Focuses on body relaxation to help individuals free their minds and relieve stress after a long day. |
Yin yoga | Slow-paced, meditative style of yoga that is comprised of longer held seated postures. |
Hatha yoga | Classic approach to breathing and exercises for beginners. |
Anusara yoga | Focuses on body alignment and the formation of a mind-body-heart connection. |
Bikram yoga | Sequence of 26 basic postures in a sauna-like room. |
Iyengar yoga | Focuses on alignment and detailed, precise movements with breath control. |
Kundalini yoga | Intense core work, chanting, and meditation in a fast-moving environment. |
Ashtanga yoga | Physically demanding posture sequences for more advanced individuals. |
Jivamukti yoga | A vinyasa style class with Hindu spiritual teachings. |
Source: [6]
There are hundreds of different poses found in the practice of yoga. All of these poses are used to strengthen, stretch, and relax various muscles and areas of the body. Groups of various poses are often gathered together so that they can be collectively used to benefit individuals in specific ways. For example, there are specific poses for individuals looking for ones to use for fitness, back pain, or flexibility related reasons.
The physical benefits of yoga are quite extensive as there are not only known physical benefits, but many benefits that are being discovered and researched currently.
The meditative and breathing techniques taught during the practice of yoga have been proven to help individual’s mental well-being. For example, the coping skills and positive life outlook that is developed during yoga can be very effective in helping people manage their stress. Since prolonged stress has been found to create harmful physical problems such as neck and back pain, sleeping issues, headaches, and difficulty concentrating, it is important for individuals to learn necessary preventative skills. [3]
Viniyoga is a form of yoga therapy that adapts the methods of yoga practices to better fit the conditions, needs, and interests of each individual. Since everyone has their own abilities, physical conditions, and workout interests, instructors of Vinyoga focus on creating the best personalized therapy they can for each of their students. This adaptation and individualization of yoga techniques allows for teachers to better meet the potentials and goals of everyone they instruct. [16]
Mr. Gary Kraftsow, a certified yoga therapist, evolved this approach to yoga in the United States after learning from two yoga masters in India named T. Krishnamacharya and T.K.V. Desikachar in 1974. Then, in 1983 he opened the Maui School of Yoga Therapy and in 1999 he founded the American Viniyoga Institute. These schools have taught many new yoga teachers, yoga therapists, and other health professionals the beneficial ways of Viniyoga for decades now. [16]
In a 2018 evaluation of 138 studies on yoga usage in patients with various types of cancer (10,660 total participants), most found that the practice improved patients’ physical and psychological symptoms and bettered their quality of life. Then, a 2017 review of 24 studies in patients with breast cancer (2,166 total participants) found moderate-quality evidence that yoga was beneficial in reducing sleep disturbances and fatigue when compared with no treatment. Also, yoga was, “…more helpful than educational interventions for reducing depression, anxiety, and fatigue in women with breast cancer, and it may have been as helpful as other forms of exercise for health-related quality of life and fatigue…” [1]
In a 2018 evaluation of 13 studies (1,306 total participants) it was discovered that yoga reduced physical symptoms such as hot flashes along with psychological symptoms when compared with no treatment. [1]
In a 2017 evaluation of 23 studies (2,473 participants) it was found that a participation in yoga programs was associated with improved blood sugar control in individuals with type 2 diabetes, at least on a short-term basis. [1]
The 2017 NHIS found that the use of yoga by U.S. adults increased from 9.5% in 2012 to 14.3% in 2017. Then, the percentage of U.S. children who participated in yoga more increased from 3.1% in 2012 to 8.4% in 2017. Furthermore, a 2012 NHIS found that 94% of adults who practiced yoga did so to create a general wellness, prevent disease, and/or improve energy. Lastly, 18% reported that they used yoga to treat a specific health condition. [1]