Many people believe that yoga is all about experiencing pure ecstasy through the union of the mind, the soul, and the body. But most yoga practitioners and teachers would agree that apart from providing relaxation and peace, yoga is about the seemingly limitless capability of a person to be in control and unite with him or her inner self. With this in mind, more and more people, especially those who are having trouble getting better sleep, are using this activity.
Most yoga practitioners believe that in one way or another, the ancient discipline makes it possible for the breath, the mind, and the senses to unite in creating balance. As defined, the word �yoga� is a Sanskrit term which means �union or joining.� It is considered as almost an ambiguous term because it encompasses a wide range of purely physical disciplines to purely spiritual.
When people talk of yoga, the term �asana� is always mentioned. Asana is known as one of the eight types of yoga wherein mental and spiritual well being than are prioritized compared to physical endurance. Today, the two words have become almost synonymous to modern-day yogis because they embody the same concept: relaxation though meditation.
If you�re planning to practice yoga as a form of exercise and as a means to get better sleep, it shouldn�t be as confusing as it seems because you don�t need to learn all the concepts and philosophies behind it. This ancient tradition that requires deep meditation has been proven as an effective way to relax, what you need to learn are the basic information you will need for you to apply the concept in your everyday life.
Yoga for beginners
More and more people practice yoga nowadays so they can get better sleep. But aside from that, other reasons why many people practice it is because they can explore the almost limitless possibilities of yoga as an ancient philosophy. They can also delve into its depths as a meditative practice or for pure spiritual discipline. Or they can use its philosophies as an exercise for you to be fit and healthy.
No matter what your reasons are, understanding your main objectives and your level of interest can definitely help you find the right yoga program. The first thing that you have to bear in mind before you totally indulge in practicing yoga is setting and determining your goals. You can do this by knowing first what are the possible health and fitness benefits you can get from yoga. Most yoga practitioners agree that the potential benefits of yoga may include the increase of strength and flexibility, creation of balance as well as the improvement of breathing and overall posture. On the spiritual aspect, yoga can serve as an exercise that can help you soothe your nerves, calm your mind while increasing your focal and concentration skills.
Next, undergo a general check-up. This is a sort of SOP before you begin practicing yoga or any type of exercise program for that matter. A check-up is important for you to do discuss with your physician the advantages and disadvantages of yoga in your total health and well being. Since yoga involves physical endurance, you might also want to visit an orthopedic before you undergo a class to avoid possible injuries.
If you are planning to get better sleep through yoga, make sure that you have a good yoga instructor who can attend to your needs, know your physical and emotional limitations, know when is the best time suitable for you to practice yoga, make sure that you begin with the easy yoga poses before slowly advancing to the difficult positions, and make sure that you wear the right kind of clothes and that you have the yoga equipment you need like mats, foam blocks, and yoga pillows.