Yoga means ‘union’, so the very question arises, union with whom? Yoga is the process of establishing a union of humans with the Almighty or the ultimate truth. The benefits of yoga are a unique gift to the entire world of the ancient tradition of Indian culture.
Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga, as propounded by Maharishi Patanjali, is a great legacy to the whole world. It includes yama, niyam, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharna, dhyan(meditation), and samadhi. People generally confine the meaning of yoga to various physical postures performed by the body. It is not merely different physical postures and asanas. The eight elements of Ashtanga Yoga comprehensively pave the way for the soul’s union with the ultimate truth. The fundamental benefits of yoga are the balance and coordination of the human’s physical, mental, and spiritual form altogether.
Benefits of Yoga
The primary purpose of yoga is that it emphasizes the purity and balance of the body, mind, and soul. The benefits of yoga are comprehensive one of physical, mental, and spiritual health. Although from ancient to contemporary times, it has been an invaluable contribution to keeping human beings free from diseases and keeping the body pure and healthy. The benefits of yoga have a great contribution to the whole of humanity. The body is the most sophisticated vital system in which the balance between the various components of the body and the mind keeps it healthy. Within this body system, the ability to fight any sort of imbalance is inherently present in natural form. The imbalance caused by any type of internal or external factors inside this body gives rise to a disease. It is commonly known as the human body’s immunity. Man’s modern way of life, imbalance in diet, life against nature, psychological reasons, external environment are all responsible for causing diseases inside the body.
Benefits of Yoga : Balance between body and mind
Benefits of Yoga imply a balance between body and mind and prevents diseases. Scientific research and psychology establish this most important fact that two-thirds of the diseases in humans are in the form of psychosomatic, that is, these diseases occur as a result of any disorder in the mind. Stress and anxiety are the main causes of many psychosomatic diseases. Yoga and various its poses reduce the toxin levels inside the body and produce positive chemicals (dopamine) inside the brain, reducing stress and depression. Through several asanas, it helps in keeping the dopamine levels balanced.
Benefits of Pranayama : Regulation of Life
The benefits of yoga form Pranayama is of ultimate importance. Pranayama is a special process of yoga under which ‘prana’ means ‘breath’ and ‘ayama’ implies regulation. Under Pranayama, the pure breath is delivered to all the organs inside the body in a specific way. Under Patanjali Ashtanga Yoga there are many types and postures under Pranayama which can be practiced as the solution of various diseases. If someone has a thyroid disease, then practicing ‘Bhramari Pranayama’ can relieve it. In the case of any blood-related disease, ‘Bhristrika Pranayama’ plays an important role in getting rid of this disease. Due to modern lifestyle, pollution, lack of physical labor, etc., as a result, man has forgotten to breathe properly which is the cause of many diseases. Breathing deeply allows pure air to all parts of the body. Yoga and various asanas can free human beings from many diseases by correcting the dimensions of the breath.
Benefits of Kapalbhanti : the shining of forehead
The benefits of yoga form Kapalbhanti are based on special process of yoga under which the breath is thrown by the nose at a forceful speed. Proper practicing of Kapalbhanti, there appears special ‘shining’ on the ‘forehead’. In the process of exhaling the breath at a rapid rate, it is possible to increase the capacity of the lungs, the removal of any blockage inside the heart, and the supply of the purified blood reaching different parts of the body. With the constant practice of Kapalbhanti, it is believed that lifestyle diseases like diabetes, blood pressure are possible to be eliminated. It is believed by practitioners that by its constant practice, blood impurities can be cured and even fatal diseases like cancer can be defeated. By its practice, one gets relief from asthma, obesity, insomnia, and many stomach related diseases.
conclusion
It is believed that Maharishi Patanjali had collected 195 sutras and rendered Ashtanga Yoga. Over time, many of the practitioners presented their modifications and included many postures. However, Maharishi Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga is the most important form under ‘Yoga-Philosophy’.
courtesy: Google images
