IndexIntroductionYoga for Mind and Body HealingPersonal ExperienceReferencesIntroductionYoga and Mind Healing is the topic of this essay as it encompasses different meanings for various individuals who engage in its distinctive practice. Yoga has been around for hundreds of years and recently a change in our society has made yoga a popular practice again. Whether someone practices yoga for spiritual healing, physical healing, or just because they enjoy it, yoga provides an answer for everyone. 'Yoga' by definition means “union”. This union comes from the relationship between body and mind becoming one. When practicing yoga the overall goal is to connect the body to the mind and vice versa. In this way a special connection can occur that brings peace and harmony. Yoga can also be understood as a spiritual discipline. Roots date back to 2700 BC Yoga, widely regarded as an "immortal cultural achievement" of the Indus Valley Civilization Saraswati. Once in a wave with the body and mind, the yogi can thank and appreciate the world. This connection can allow the yogi to identify and find himself in suffering. They can also connect with the associated religion. This could be the time to draw closer to and appreciate God. Let's say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay It turns out that the first yogi of this practice is Shiva. He was found practicing what he called spiritual healing in the Himalayas. He brought with him the acquired knowledge of the practice and formed the "seven wise men". He introduced these essays throughout the Eastern world, but concentrated mainly in India. In India there are signs and fossils left to show evidence of these practices. Many followers of Shiva took over his works after his demise. The strong development of yoga has become better known over the years due to its well-documented practices and literature. The classical period between 500 BC and 800 AD became the most important and flourishing period of the full development of Yoga. The credit is given to two teachers, Mahavir and Buddha. They came with the concept of “five great vows, Pancha mahavrata of Mahavir and Ashta Magga or the eightfold path of Buddha, can be well regarded as the primitive nature of yoga sadhana”. In an explanation in the Bhagawadgita, he shows the concepts of Gyan yoga, Bhakti yoga and Karma yoga. These yoga methods appear to be the highest levels of peace a human being can experience when practicing yoga. Mind and body can benefit greatly from practicing these teachings. Later, a more contemporary style of yoga was announced. In this era, most people have a different idea about the health preservation, maintenance and promises offered by yoga. Yoga can be therapeutic for some and express their voice through health-boosting poses. Yoga is now not associated with any type of religion, although most Hindus practice it more than other religions. It is the technology of the past for well-being and relief from pain and suffering. There are also many yoga schools that others can attend to gain immense and further knowledge. Yoga for Healing the Mind and Body Yoga is for health and wellness purposes. The practices are: “Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahana, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi/Samyama, Bandha and Mudra, Shat-karma, Yukta-ahara, Yukta karma, Mantra japa, etc.” Yama means restrictions and Niyama means observing. Pranayama is the practice of focusing on your breathing. The breathing exercises comeused to calm the body and clear the mind. It is important to maintain a constant flow of inhalation and exhalation through the nose and out of the mouth. Later it will be more important to maintain this movement when crossing different positions. Holding the breath for a certain period of time and releasing that amount to completely empty the lungs helps open the yogi's throat. Diana's practice of meditation allows the yogi to focus only on the inside of the body and mind. (Basavaradd) Yoga is more than just relaxing the mind, it also tones and sculpts the body. Yoga can focus on at least 4 main parts of the body to tighten. The core is used a lot in yoga. Most poses are only completed if a slight core muscle is used. This can be tightened by doing plank, high or low dog positions. Any floor exercises, such as boat pose or Superman holds, will also help tighten. Then there are the arms, most exercises use the yogi's body weight to build muscle. Although some yoga classes and practices involve light weights just to give the yogi a little extra weight. Crow poses, handstands and push-ups will test yogis' arms. The legs are also worked by doing side angles, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd warrior poses will work the quads, hips and thighs of yogis. The glutes are strengthened by yoga squats, bridges, cartwheels and other poses to give a more sculpted rear end. Ultimately, the yogi's back will become much more toned and flexible. Child's pose, cat and cow pose, and lateral stretching help open the lower back and can relieve back pain. Yoga also falls into several categories for physical exercise. It is primarily used for flexibility to give the yogi a full range of motion in their bodies. It is also aerobic depending on the different style of yoga the yogi participates in. Yoga can become a very strenuous exercise and make the yogi sweat. In yoga, strength is used. It takes a lot of strength in every part of the body to exercise regularly, just like the areas mentioned above. Yoga can also be a low impact exercise making it great for any individual looking to reap the benefits. All the individual needs to do is find a style that is perfect for them and stick with it. Yoga changes so frequently with so many styles that it's easy to change it up day to day and still find a great workout that anyone can do. Another advantage of practicing yoga is that you do not need any equipment to perform it. A mat is recommended to perform tasks without strong impact from the floor. The more cushioning the mat provides, the less pain your joints and muscles will experience. Yoga can be difficult on some joints and sometimes age can be a factor, but not always. I personally developed knee pain due to passed down genes. The mat really helps comfort me and allows me to practice yoga as I would like. Yoga also uses your own body weight to build muscle. This can be much more difficult than lifting weights. Yoga can also be improved or allow for more variation if you use a block for balance. Straps and small weights can also be used if the yogi wants a greater challenge beyond what they are doing. “Yoga is a great activity for those with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart disease. It gives someone strength, flexibility and mind-body awareness. They also need to do something aerobic: walking, cycling or swimming if they don't do a fast-moving type of yoga. If anyone has pressurehigh, diabetes or heart problems, ask your doctor what you can do. You may need to avoid certain positions, such as those in which you are upside down or that require more balance than you have right now. A very gentle yoga program, combined with light aerobic activity such as walking or swimming, may be the best way to start. Yoga can help you stay flexible and strong without putting additional stress on your joints. You get the added benefit of a mind-body approach that can help you relax and energize. If you are pregnant, yoga can help keep you relaxed, strong and fit. If you're new to yoga or have health or pregnancy-related concerns, talk to your doctor before trying it. Look for an instructor who is experienced in teaching prenatal yoga. You'll need to make some adjustments as your baby and belly grow and your center of gravity shifts. After the first trimester, don't do poses that make you lie on your back. And don't try to stretch any more than you did before pregnancy. Pregnancy hormones loosen joints and increase the risk of injury. During pregnancy, avoid postures that put pressure on your belly or lower back. Don't do "hot" yoga, where the room temperature is very high." (Watson). Personal Experience This brings me to the next topic of my personal experience with yoga. I have never been intrigued by the practice of yoga before. I grew up practicing strenuous sports such as competitive and non-competitive basketball, softball, athletics and gymnastics. In recent years, to keep fit I went to the gym at least 4 times a week doing cardio and strengthening exercises. I also attended a couple of courses they offered different training. I liked this method of training in the gym, but eventually I started to get bored of the routine. My friend was going to the yoga classes offered by the CPA at ETSU. I went there a couple of times a week, but I didn't feel any improvement in my training. I liked the part where I could relax and sit there without thoughts weighing me down, although this peace didn't last very long. The poses seemed very easy without any real effort. The poses were very beginner friendly, which was fine for the first time, but every class started to feel that way. I felt like I wasn't getting anything out of the yoga class, so I stopped going. Recently, within the last 6 months, one of my friends mentioned going to this newly opened yoga studio in Johnson City. The yoga studio offered the new and trendy “hot yoga”. My friend said she got an amazing workout and sweated because of it and felt so much better after the class, and I had to try it. Reading about the new trend of doing hot yoga, I wanted to try it at least once. So one afternoon I convinced my mom to come to class with me and try it to see if it was really all that. Upon entering, you must first sign the paperwork relating to any injuries you may experience due to the heat or any other reason. I didn't pay attention to the paperwork and Mom and I walked straight into the 105 degree room. We were immediately breathless and almost had to step outside for a minute as the heat took us by surprise. The instructor reassured us that if we went in and just lay down on the mat we would feel comfortable very soon. In a 12x12 room, gather 20 individuals lying on a mat, breathing easily next to each other. The class we went to was Ashtanga Vinyasa, which mainly focused on strengthening and maintaining certain strengths.