Yoga - The Ancient Art Of Fitness

Yoga uses specific body postures known as "asanas" and breathing techniques known as "pranayamas" to achieve harmonious balance between the body, mind and soul. In fact, it would probably not be a mistake to call it a call it a holistic approach to health care.
The various "asanas" or body postures focus on various body parts. There are thousands of yoga asanas. Each of these poses comprises kriyas or actions, mudras or seals, and bandhas or locks.
A kriya focuses on the effort necessary to circulate energy throughout the body;  the yoga mudra is a gesture that focuses on  holding the energy or at a particular point; and a bandha uses the technique of holding muscular contractions to create awareness of the energy being generated.

Focusing on a certain part of the body at any one time helps to train the mind. This builds awareness about the mind-body connection. It does not allow one to focus on the external chatter. Instead, it guides the focus  inwards. For instance, the savasana (the corpse pose), which is practiced at the end of the exercise session, during which one has to lie on one's back and keep the eyes closed while giving up any control over your body and letting it sink into the floor. The idea is to allow thoughts to come and go freely and not resist them. The result is that gradually one will naturally drift into a calm, peaceful and relaxing state.

Yogis throughout the ages have considered regulating the breathe or the "prana" (life force) as they call it, as a simple and never failing way of connecting the mind, body and spirit. The breathing techniques are called pranayamas; prana means energy or life force, and yama means social ethics. It is believed that the controlled breathing of pranayamas will control the energy flow in your body. It is my experience that controlled breathing helps me focus on muscles that are working, and during savasana, it slows down my heart rate, calms my mind, and leads to a deep, inner calm and sense of relaxation.

Regular practice of yogic exercises can help you keep fit and healthy physically, mentally and uplift you spiritually as well. Yoga can help cure insomnia, as regular yoga practice leads to  the development of better and deeper sleep patterns.

Starting the day with "surya namaskar" is good enough to provide exercise for the whole body. In fact, practitioners have claimed that it also helps weight loss and keeps the body toned and in perfect shape.

Yoga is an effective treatment for a variety of autoimmune diseases. This is because practice of yoga can reduce the symptoms these diseases which often result in stiffness, malaise, fatigue, and weakness.

Here is something that is popularly known as "chair yoga". It is a rather simple version of yoga that is ideal to suit a busy lifestyle. Most of the exercises are done while either sitting on a chair or using it for support. The chair yoga programme consists of yoga postures, breathing techniques, meditation, and ways of relaxation

-Sangita Kanjilal
Source : blog.bharatmatrimony.com