Yoga – Health Guide & Encyclopedia

Yoga

Yoga is a discipline designed to bring the mind and body together. Contrary to the idea widespread in western medicine that problems of the body are to be treated in the body, practitioners of yoga assume a fundamental connection between mind and body. Only when the spirit is brought into harmony with the universe can the body heal. In addition to practical exercises and meditation, yoga also requires dealing with philosophical content.

Provenance and origin

Yoga comes from India and is closely connected to the religious currents there, which could hardly be more diverse. The ideas of yoga were spread among the people from sacred scriptures of Hinduism and Buddhism.

Here the scholars found a lot of information about the connections of the universe, the role of the gods and the path of the individual human being. In Eastern religions, the concept of karma is widespread. With every action, man vouches for karma that prevents man from returning to the original state.

Yoga proved to be an excellent method to dissolve karma and thus lead people to enlightenment. Over the centuries, many different yoga schools have developed. From the 20th century onwards, yoga also became increasingly widespread in the western world.

goals and function

Yoga exercises can be roughly divided into three different categories. There are exercises that are intended to make the body more resilient, more elastic and more energetic.

The yogi should gain total control over his body in the course of his studies. Then there are breathing exercises. Here the yoga practitioner tries to fill up his energy balance with the life energy called prana.

At the same time, working with prana requires focusing the mind on a specific point. A major goal of yoga is to bring about stillness of thought.

The yogi is said to become master of mind and body. A third category places increased emphasis on ascetic ideas. Diets , special dietary regulations, renunciation of lustful and worldly activities are the focus here.

Clear differentiations between the broad categories should be avoided. The combination of all elements is often found in the yoga schools, with some aspects being weighted more than others depending on the philosophical background.

Importance to health

Yoga practitioners usually report a significant increase in their individual quality of life. Chronic diseases generally subside noticeably, and in many cases they will even disappear.

Mental upsets, feelings of uneasiness and depression can be successfully alleviated through yoga exercises. Various scientific studies by independent institutions have already demonstrated the universal healing power of yoga with impressive frequency.

Yoga makes people many times happier after just a few weeks of regular practice. Followers of yoga also report a significant improvement in their sex life. Yoga makes you more sensitive, more empathetic and intensifies orgiastic feelings.

The yoga practitioner will notice increasing changes in his personal perception. Things that used to cause fear and worry are now seen as challenges that can be overcome with a positive approach.

The relationship with fellow human beings is also significantly strengthened by yoga. We can respond to differences with our environment in a more relaxed and informal way. It is easier for the yoga follower to keep control over his emotional world in order to be spared inhibiting insecurities or self-doubt.

Yoga or Pilates – Which suits you better?

Yoga and Pilates have been booming for a number of years. Relaxation, back training and muscle building paired are the secret recipe of both directions. But what is the difference and what is more suitable for you?

Different origin

The big difference between the two directions is their origin. Pilates is a fairly new form of exercise. She combines gymnastics with strength training. It was invented by German circus performer and bodybuilder Joseph H. Pilates in 1883. The main goals are to improve posture and build muscle.

Yoga has its roots in India thousands of years ago. Above all, yoga has a spiritual goal. Soul, spirit and body should be brought into harmony with each other. In today’s modern times, the goals have evolved a bit further. Stress reduction , holistic muscle strengthening and movement training are the goals of modern yoga.

Pilates exercises are usually performed in a sitting or lying position. They are fairly easy to learn and can easily be adapted to suit individual fitness levels. At the same time, Pilates also helps to switch off from everyday life and to relax the mind through physical exertion. However, this has less to do with spirituality.

Differences in breathing technique

Similar to yoga, breathing plays an important role. Both forms of training use a different breathing technique. In Pilates, you breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.

During the yoga exercises, you breathe completely through your nose. Breathing also has a higher priority and is primarily used to relax the mind. Yoga thus combines the traditional spiritual aspects with modern training goals to strengthen the muscles and improve posture.

Aspects such as deep relaxation, mental well-being, endurance and a sense of balance are also promoted in yoga. In contrast to Pilates, the exercises are not repeated but held as long as possible in order to achieve the desired training effect.

Combine Pilates and Yoga

Both training methods can also be wonderfully combined. Depending on your state of health, you can take individual exercises from Pilates and yoga and combine them. Experienced trainers can help you find the right exercises for you.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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