The Various Forms of Yoga and their Immense Benefits

Yoga, the form of meditation and breathing techniques many people have come to love so much, traces its origins to India. Although several Indian religions (Jainism, Hinduism, and Buddhism) refer to yoga in varied ways, they all unilaterally agree upon the practice’s healing effects.

These healing factors have left millions in wonder and amazement. In ancient times, yoga was used as a form of enlightenment. Today, it is mostly considered as a means of body enhancement and healing. To learn more about yoga, check out  https://www.yoga.health.

Forms Of Yoga

The most popular forms of yoga practiced across the world are discussed below:

• Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga is by far the most common form of yoga. Nearly all newcomers first get to practice it before branching to other forms. It involves a combination of physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation.

• Karma Yoga

Karma yoga helps to attain selflessness while offering servitude. By practicing this form of yoga, you detach yourself from the consequences that are a result of your actions. Subsequently, this frees your mind and soul.

• Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini refers to an energy that originates from the root of your spine. This powerful form of yoga incorporates Bhakti, Pranayama, Mantra, and Asanas yoga. It works by awakening the body’s seven chakras meaning also as the seven centers of consciousness.

• Bhakti Yoga

With this type of yoga, you entirely devote yourself to God by performing Archana, Pada-sevanam, Kirtana, and Smarana.

• Ansura Yoga

The word “Ansura” translates to ‘follow your heart.’ As a form of yoga, Ansura is widely practiced across the UK, US, and parts of Canada. It emphasizes the importance of doing Asanas with grace. It may require additional alignment techniques to ensure proper execution.

• Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar yoga, created by B.K.S Iyengar, focuses on proper alignment. It often uses props such as blankets, bolsters, and blocks to attain a perfect posture. Poses are held for a few breaths once alignment is perfect.

As you progress through the stages, you can intensify your posture by removing the props and prolonging the duration between poses.

Benefits Of Practicing Yoga

Many people enjoy the vast health and mental benefits of yoga. In turn, this has led to the spread of the practice.

• Mental Benefits

Research indicates that practicing yoga improves the mental capacities of the practitioner. The different poses performed during the yoga session help enhance blood circulation, resulting in a peaceful state of mind.

Improper circulation of blood around the brain may lead to unpleasant experiences like poor self-image and insomnia. Regularly practicing yoga prevents these instances from occurring.

• Spiritual Benefits

Like in the past, where yoga was an aid for self-actualization, modern-day yogis also claim that it gives them a clearer understanding of the people and things around them. Yoga brings you closer to your spiritual being.

• Emotional Benefits

It’s common for people practicing yoga to acquire tons of emotional benefits. In the past, people suffering from depression, stress, anxiety, poor relationships, and alcoholism were slowly but surely healed.

Consequently, they can improve the quality of their lives through a better emotional state.

• Physical Benefits

A majority of yoga enthusiasts believe that yoga’s essential healing effect lies in improving one’s physical state. Research shows that yoga helps prevent diseases and illnesses such as hypertension, asthma, headache, eye strain, indigestion, cancer, etc.

Generally, yoga offers a viable means of increasing physical activity. While trying it for the first time, consider joining an online class for beginners under a qualified instructor’s guidance. Always remember to consult your doctor before commencing yoga if you have a history of medical conditions that may inhibit your ability to practice.