Yoga

Is yoga among your list of outstanding things to do? Everyone talks to you about yoga, but you still have no idea what it is? Here we’ll try to clarify your doubts and present a series of benefits that will make you decide once and for all if yoga is or can be your thing.

What is yoga?

Yoga is a holistic system that works both the physical and spiritual plane of the practitioner. Many consider it a way of life approaching wellness and health in a natural way, which through various techniques of body-mind work makes people less vulnerable to disease and helps to balance at all levels.

The origin of the practice of yoga is in India and, depending on the historian, its antiquity dates between 3,000 or 4,000 years, that is to say, before the Vedas, the oldest books of the humanity.

Its introduction in the West is due to Swami Vivekananda, a Hindu monk who gave the first yoga class to Westerners. As a curious note, during that class he did not teach a single posture, asana, following the yoga slang.

Why does yoga work? 

At the physical level the physical postures that are performed have important benefits:

• Some of them are stimulants for the nervous and circulatory system.
• Others develop coordination and concentration. Others have a soothing effect on the body.
• Some parts of the body stretch out while others relax (activating blood circulation by taking it to certain muscles and ligaments).
• Good postural habits are acquired to avoid back, neck and head ailments. Increases our flexibility and muscular strength.

On a mental level:

• It facilitates concentration, to be alert and to focus.
• It contributes to a positive thought, to the harmonious relationship
• with the enthusiasm and the enthusiasm for the life.
• It increases self-esteem and the ability to believe in ourselves.
• It helps us sleep better.
• Calms anxiety and stress.

Myths of yoga

“You can’t practice yoga if you’re not athletic, strong or flexible”. It is one of the great myths that we must banish.

One of the main teachings of yoga is to liberate ourselves from that “duty to be” that torments us. There are easier and more difficult postures, but as far as we get, it’ll be fine.