History of Yoga – What is Yoga?

Are you looking for a workout program that's easy to learn, requires little or no equipment, and soothes your soul while toning your body? If strengthening your cardiovascular system, toning and stretching your muscles, and improving your mental fitness are on your to-do list, keep reading to learn more about the basics of yoga.

History of Yoga – What is Yoga?

Today, many people are taking up yoga techniques for physical exercise, and most don’t know the history of yoga. They believe there is nothing wrong with implementing this form of exercise into their daily regiment to promote a more healthy body.

However, the practice of yoga is much more than a system of physical exercise for health. Yoga is an ancient path to spiritual growth, and originates out of India where Induism is practiced. The practice and goal of yoga dates back to the Upanishads, written between 1000-5000 BC.

Although it seems like a hot new trend, yoga actually began more than 3,000 years ago in India. The word yoga comes from Sanskrit, and it means to "yoke," or bring together the mind, body, and spirit.

Although yoga includes exercise, it is also a lifestyle for which exercise is just one component. Disciplining your mind and body as well as connecting with your spirituality are the main goals of the yoga lifestyle.

The physical component of the yoga lifestyle is called hatha yoga. Hatha yoga focuses on asanas, or poses. A person who practices yoga goes through a series of specific poses while controlling his or her breathing. Some types of yoga also involve meditation and chanting.

Yoga has tons of benefits. It can improve flexibility, strength, balance, and stamina. In addition to the physical benefits, many people who practice yoga say that it reduces anxiety and stress and improves mental clarity.

You have lots of choices when it comes to tailoring your yoga workout. Many fitness centers and YMCAs offer yoga classes, and many yoga instructors also offer private classes that can be purchased per class or in groups of classes.

Before taking a class, take the time to observe the class that interests you and check whether the instructor is registered with the Yoga Alliance, a certification that requires at least 200 hours of training in yoga techniques and teaching.

You may also want to try a yoga video - there are many excellent videos just for beginners. Instructional websites, CD-ROMs, and books are also available to help you learn more about yoga.

Before you head to your first yoga workout, you should dress comfortably. Snug-fitting shorts or tights and a T-shirt or tank top are best. Yoga is practiced barefoot, so you don't have to worry about special shoes.

If you're doing your yoga workout on a carpeted floor, you probably don't need any equipment, but many people who practice yoga or take yoga classes like to use a sticky mat. This type of mat provides cushioning and friction while you are doing your poses and can be purchased in sporting goods stores or often at the yoga class location.

What can you expect at a yoga class or when you watch a yoga video? To begin the class, the instructor may lead you through a series of poses called vinyasa. The Sun Salutation is a type of vinyasa in which 12 poses are performed in a graceful, flowing motion.

Before You Begin

Before you begin any type of exercise program, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor, especially if you have a health problem. Also, be sure to mention any orthopedic problems or special needs you may have to your instructor before the class begins.

Fortunately, yoga can be as vigorous or as gentle as you want it to be, so just about everyone can do it. A good instructor will be able to provide modified poses for students who are just beginning, advanced, or who have special needs.

Your schedule's already packed - so how are you supposed to fit in time to work out? Here are a few tips for fitting in fitness and staying motivated:

Break it down.

If you can't do a half hour of yoga in one sitting, try doing it in chunks. How about 15 minutes after you get up and 15 minutes before bed? Or try three 10-minute workouts to break up a long study session.

Do what works for you.

Some people have more success working out in the morning before the day's activities sidetrack them; others find that a nighttime workout is the perfect way to unwind before hitting the sack. Experiment with working out at different times of the day and find the time that fits your schedule and energy level best.

Find a workout buddy.

Doing your yoga routines with a friend is a great way to remain motivated. If you have an appointment with a friend to work out, you'll be less likely to cancel. You and your buddy can compare tips on healthy eating and exercise habits, evaluate each other's poses for form, and keep each other on track.

Consistency is key.

If you want to reap the benefits that yoga provides, you'll have to do it consistently. A once-a-month yoga workout may relieve some stress, but for benefits like increased flexibility and stamina, you should aim to practice yoga three or four times a week. It generally takes about 4 to 6 weeks of regular exercise at least 3 days a week for your body to begin to release the endorphins that make exercise such an uplifting experience.

Set some goals.

The same routine every week may become monotonous, so set some goals to help you stay focused. Perhaps you'd like to incorporate power yoga into your routine so you get a better cardiovascular workout. Maybe you've always done workout tapes at home and your goal is to sign up for a yoga class with an instructor. Whatever you choose as your goal, make sure you reward yourself when you accomplish it!

History of Yoga – Is it spiritual?

The history of yoga is based in the Indus Valley civilization. The techniques are practiced by the Indus to initiate spiritual growth. The yogis encourage union with the finite jiva (transitory self) and with the infinite Brahman (eternal self). Brahman is a term used by the Hindus to mean “God.” So, what are we supposed to unite with? Yogis usually think of God as an impersonal, spiritual substance, coexisting with all of reality. This doctrine is called pantheism which is the view that everything is God. In the Bible, God reveals Himself as the personal Creator of the universe.

Since it is taught by the yogis that everything is God, it then stands to reason, man is God. Christianity, on the other hand, teaches us there is a clear distinction between man and God. Since God is the Creator, we are one of his creations and created “in the image” of God.

Unlike the yogis, the Bible presents man’s primary problem to be sin -- a failure to conform to God’s character and standards. The solution is Jesus Christ’s death on the cross. He calls men to freely receive all the benefits of His salvation through faith in Christ alone.

Yoga views man’s problem primarily in terms of ignorance. Man simply does not understand he is God so the solution is enlightenment, or an experience of union with God. In order to reach that goal, there must be a lot of striving and effort which is not needed in the Christian viewpoint.

History of Yoga - Is yoga safe?

Can the methods used in the yoga techniques for exercising be separated from the philosophy? The answer is a distinctive “no” because yoga is considered to be a practice of psychosomatic exercises. There is no way to separate the two. The yoga scholar will tell you that in order to practice yoga in the fullest, one must experience what is called the “kundalini” effect within meditation.

What does this mean? For spiritual lessons to be grasped by the soul within the person, the chakra, or different locations within the body where a circle of metaphysical and/or biophysical energy resides, join together in the process. Kundilini stimulates the chakra center to open and release the energy held within. If not done properly, some believe that a person can injure the brain.

By researching the history of yoga, we learn that it is not safe spiritually. Yoga teaches us to focus on ourselves instead of on the one true God. It encourages us to seek the answers to life's difficult questions within our own conscience instead of in the Bible. It also leaves one open to deception from Satan, who searches for victims that he can turn away from God