LL By Laughing Lotus

This beautiful verse from the holy scripture of Bhagavat Gita explains the sole purpose of Yoga- “Yoga is considered as one of the best journeys of the self, through the self, to the self.” This means that with the process of Yoga, people are able to celebrate their life and realize themselves with the help of specific asanas and techniques.

Taking time out for oneself is an underrated luxury in the modern world. The need to balance family and work is what everyone is concerned about. Moreover, the stress caused by unsettling worries often leads to an imbalance in one’s personal life that leads to making harsh decisions. Eventually, this led modern humans to seek to flush out their inner toxins to achieve peace and self-healing. That’s how Yoga was reborn and popularised into the modern world, which is now followed in various countries as a method of mental therapy.

Benefits of Yoga

People running behind money to make their life secure is an opportunity cost, i.e., losing our peace of mind. This is where Yoga acts as a bridge between the body and the mind, and the good vibes we get from it heal the discovery of self. Yoga’s numerous benefits are significant in social, spiritual, and psychological ways. Many studies conducted between people who practice Yoga and meditation and those who do not show a significant difference in their brain structures and the way they think and respond to various stressful situations in life.

 The reason behind the growing popularity of Yoga

Yoga is a healing process that is an amalgam of different meditation in relaxation techniques. Yoga is also beneficial to calm the mind and enhance concentration, bringing about emotional ability. It plays a significant role in reducing emotional and stressful baggage and is also helpful in curing behavioral disorders, nervous breakdowns, and maniac depression. There is just one condition for all people – everyone should practice consistently and carefully to achieve a complete transformation. However, like any other practice, Yoga also demands immense dedication and attention to attain mastery.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a disguised blessing because not only the people stopped running behind earthy riches, but they learned the precious value of their lives and valued the truth that the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the key to survival. Yoga acted as a portal to increase one’s power and helped people seek mental peace and satisfaction, especially during tough times. Seeking the benefits of Yoga as a simple alternative to harmonizing oneself with the world. The WHO mentioned Yoga as a medium to enhance health in its ‘Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018- 2030: more active people for a healthier world.’

Wrapping up

The treasures of Yoga have now travelled throughout the globe, and now it is being implemented by many countries as a mandatory in their daily routine. Sometimes, Yoga reflects our lives, which humans first discovered over 5000 years ago. Being able to stay the same and change simultaneously is, in fact, the very nature of popularity.

Introduction

“Yoga is a bright light, which when lit will never dim; the better you practice, the brighter the flame is.” Yoga means bringing together. The holistic approach of yoga teaches how to balance one’s life. It is true that when yoga is practiced consistently, it brings harmony to both mind and body. The art of yoga and meditation has changed the life of many, from common people to leaders in achieving all aspects of life. Now, let us see how to become an artist by practicing the art of yoga and meditation in our life.

The art of yoga

Who is an artist? One who masters an art is called an artist. Similarly, to be an artist of yoga and meditation, we must master the art of yoga and meditation. You might have a question: Why should we master yoga and meditation skills? And the answer is to become a leader at heart and a human on earth. As yoga empowers a positive and healthy lifestyle for physical and mental health, it helps to integrate the personality at the highest level. By teaching the habit of practicing yoga and meditation together, we can manage stress, control anxiety, improve our concentration and reduce the risk of many harmful diseases.

To be an artist

Yoga and meditation are as simple as breathing. One who can breathe can master yoga and meditation skills too. When yoga and meditation are practiced together, it helps a person to gain strength, confidence, flexibility, and balance. The meditation you follow and the asanas you practice consistently can help you to be more flexible via the body and strong via the mind. Depending upon your stamina and health conditions, choose meditation and practice asanas. Moreover, you can see the visible results in your body and mind over time when practiced regularly and ideally. It is essential to practice the art of meditation and yoga to be an artist.

 Conclusion

Whatever you do in life, yoga and meditation show you the way how to do it better. It is also one of the best ways to maintain emotional and spiritual health. Yoga and meditation are highly safe so anyone can practice them. No matter who you are, what you are, your shape, and your age! Practicing yoga and meditation can help you coordinate your mind and body in a straight line. It can make you feel refreshed and more energetic. Yoga is the key that unlocks the door to peace, tranquillity, and joy. Remember to practice it regularly and enjoy the health benefits at maximum. Once you master the skills, be ready to meet an artist in the mirror whom you have never seen before.

For many years, Yoga has been associated with vitality and excellent health. While there are many styles, these styles knock down all the anxiety and stress levels, blood pressure, and heart rate. But Yoga comes along with its cons too. So it is best to educate everyone about the disadvantages before anyone decides whether to make it into a habit or not.

Health Complications associated with Yoga

People with glaucoma are advised not to do Yoga without the doctor’s advice. While doing the inversion poses, it could cause intense ocular pressure and can also cause potential damage to the eyes.

Yoga stimulates high pressure while doing inversion poses and forceful breathing exercises. Anyone with pre-existing hypertension should be careful in doing these exercises.

Back injury and muscle strains are the most common problems that everyone experiences while doing Yoga. To avoid this, one should listen to their body and do poses that suit them.

Many Yoga poses affect the body and mind, which affect the body on a deeper level. Therefore, Yoga is also considered a full-body workout in two or three-hour sessions. Such intense yoga sessions can cause exhaustion which can manifest in weakness, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea. To avoid such symptoms, one must eat a light meal at least two to three hours before the session. It is also best to have a bottle handy thoroughly during practice.

Side effects of Yoga that affect mentally

Many yoga classes have a pattern and follow the same every day, eventually leading to possible stagnation and boredom. Suppose that that’s the case, then better to consult with the instructor to incorporate something new. It is important to challenge oneself since there are various types and styles of Yoga that allow no one to be stagnant or get bored.

The basic principle behind meditation is to live a stress-free life. But, unfortunately, wrong medications can cause so much harm to the body and mind. Also, other downsides of Yoga and meditation include negative thinking, resurfacing of childhood memories, anxiety, and other mental health problems. While people may often think these effects are symptoms of an underlying condition, they might not always be the cause of specific problems. Instead, understanding the damage could help people deal with the underlying conditions.

Winding up

Few people are at a greater risk of experiencing adverse side effects from practicing Yoga. So, if anyone has a pre-existing medical condition, it’s best to check with a medical professional before heading to class. And also, practicing too aggressively for the experience level and not being mindful in doing the poses will result in injury cases. It’s wise to practice under the guidance of a trainer for better health.

Yoga helps the mind, body, and soul. It is also true that there are lots of benefits to Yoga. Today, let us know some exciting facts on Yoga here.

1. The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word ‘yug.’ It means attachment or addition. So Yoga is ultimately the attachment or union of the soul with Paramatma, purush, or God.
2. Yoga isn’t just about physical exercises. Yoga aims to allow the free flow of prana or breathing through the body. Prana in Sanskrit also means ‘vital life’ or the ‘life force of the universe.’ You become aligned with the universe through Yoga.
3. Although different types of Yoga benefit different body parts, Kundalini yoga gives superhuman powers. All humans possess the five Clair senses. Yoga activates the primary seven chakras of the human body, allowing activation and manifestation of these senses.
4. In addition to a clear sense of the world, Yoga also facilitates a clear sense of the inner self. To achieve a better mind, body, and soul, Yoga balances the basic set-up of the human body. It balances the Vata-pitta-Kapha doshas, which constitute the human body. They rule hormones, temperament, and essential human traits.

1. Yoga can be fun. Yes, along with strenuous exercises and religious practices, new yoga types introduce fun factors too. There is dog yoga where you can partner up with puppies. The aim here is to make you happy, that’s it—along with getting healthy.
2. You can’t do Yoga with physical challenges or during temporary setbacks. No. Yoga is for all. There are simpler yoga asanas to include people. You can do an eagle pose by sitting down also to reap the benefits. And pregnancy can’t stop you. Prenatal Yoga explicitly helps women go through childbirth at ease.
3. Yoga is for women. Yes and no. Initially, only men practiced Yoga. That is why all the founding people of different types of Yoga were men. Originating in India, only men were sent to schools or practiced skills. Women joined later.
4. Yoga is a way of life. A person practicing Yoga is called a ‘yogi’ and ‘yogini,’ representing man and woman, respectively. They practice the teachings of the guru or initiator of their ‘dhyana,’ meditation. Only the guru does the ‘Deeksha’ or activation of life source. This event can be life-altering and have profound implications. Post this procedure; people become aware of their energy flow. It is not mandatory to be a vegetarian or vegan. But being one will help notice the energy flow well.
5. The International Day of Yoga has been celebrated every June 21st since 2015. Every year a theme is announced, and for 2022, India announced ‘Yoga for humanity. India has also included Yoga as a part of the Olympics as of 2016.

Anti-aging hacks are hardly new. Legend says that Queen Cleopatra used donkey milk to extend her youthful glow throughout her life. Recent studies say that our average life expectancy has risen from 50-75 over the last century- the drive to stay on the earth has also become much higher. But now, science has finally caught up to provide the best answer to whether Yoga is the secret to a long, healthy, and youthful life. You can also increase your health span and lifespan with the use of specific yoga practices.

Effects of Yoga on one’s longevity

The practice of Yoga has centuries of history followed by our ancient humans. No matter your skill level or the type of Yoga you practice, it can do wonders for your health. Regular Yoga and meditation provide many benefits like stress relief, a calm mind, stronger muscles, and overall well-being and happiness, which are all fundamental factors for longevity.

Mental Health

When our mental health is in good shape, we can better deal with stress and anxiety—which impact aging and longevity. Yoga also teaches us to be more focused on ourselves. Some even think of yoga sessions as therapy sessions, which we have medically proved to lower blood pressure and increase life span.

Yoga also makes us self-aware of the changes happening inside ourselves, which stimulates us to take good care of ourselves.

Flexibility and Balance

Yoga expands the physical limit of our body and may also ease aches and pains in old age. Maintaining our flexibility and range of motion into our senior years can also keep our bodies healthy and increase our quality of life.

Yoga incorporates different kinds of asanas, including the basic balancing poses. With better balance comes increased communication between the two hemispheres of the brain and a much more confident and sure-footed way to enter our older years.

Weight loss and Digestion

Yoga can help people gain control over themselves and their food choices, which encourages people to exercise regularly and eat healthily.

Yoga also strongly emphasizes breathing techniques which provide increased oxygenation of the body. In addition, some poses, particularly the twisting asanas, stimulate the digestive tract, improving Digestion.

Summing up

According to many researches, the benefits of Yoga are tangible. For example, continuous yoga practice will help lower blood pressure and is the best method for physical and mental therapy sessions. Let this article be a good source of motivation to take up yoga practices seriously for its abundance of good values. By reading this article, you can also get started with yoga practices to lead a healthier and happier life.

Yoga is a booming business, with more than one entrepreneur entering this field, and the number of customers is also increasing daily. However, running a yoga studio can be intimidating as it requires time, research, and resources. Here are the steps that have to be followed to establish a well-flourishing yoga business.

Get Yoga Certification

Obtaining a yoga certificate from a recognized institution is essential because this will be the first parameter the clients expect from you. Furthermore, this certificate will initiate the dream of turning your yoga studio into a brand.

Pick a Specialty

With yoga offering various kinds, choosing the course you are passionate about is better. Please only choose the course that offers a little money since there are possibilities that you might struggle to climb up in the business since it lacks your input.

Pick a name, logo, and location.

The most critical work is to choose a name and design a logo. The name must be simple, catchy, and easy to remember. Before creating the logo, get inspired by other logos to ensure that yours stands out in the crowd effectively. The studio must be located so that there are few or no competitors around that area, as it helps you gather a crowd quickly.

Formulate a business plan

This is the most time-intensive part of this process. First, find out how much capital you need during the initial stage. Know who is going to be the target audience. Decide upon the number of service packages along with their fees. Before finalizing the fee, study the market thoroughly, ensuring that we charge reasonably only. For example, if you are starting your yoga business as a brick-and-mortar establishment, the plan must include rent, utility expenses, finances for managing staff, etc.

Market and expand your brand

Create a user-friendly website to promote your yoga classes among your target audience. Ensure the website is attractive and offers the best user experience for everyone. One of the best methods to get innovative clients is running the best yoga studio. Generally, people will tell their friends about it, and the word will quickly spread. There are many different marketing options to choose between – it’s all about finding the right one.

Wrapping Up

A yoga studio is a destination that makes a difference in others’ lives—helping their mental and physical well-being. However, it requires your constant input and support to run smoothly. Successfully running a yoga studio or yoga business takes a plethora of time. However, with a solid plan and business structure, it is possible to make your dreams come true. It also takes a lot of patience and stability to run a successful yoga business.

Yoga hails from the ancient Indian practices dating over 5000 years ago. Yoga in centers or through online sessions is now available for different variations and combinations to choose suitable workouts for all. Check ahead the different yoga variations currently in practice to choose your suitable style.

Meditation for a stress-free life

The simplest yet most powerful form of yoga is meditation. Different breathing exercises of Vipassana yoga, Kundalini yoga, or even walking meditation can help develop a spiritual and focussed mind.

It can help maintain a stress-free life and explore our capabilities more to act productively. Meditation is suitable for all age groups, can be done with or without objects for concentrating, and can be for various periods depending on people’s comfort and concentration.

Hot yoga for a fit body

If meditation can purify the mind, Hot yoga can challenge burning calories for physical purification. Also known as Bikram yoga, these sessions are performed in a hot and humid environment at around 100 degrees Celcius. These stretching, bending, and twisting postures in an extremely hot environment can increase our metabolism and burn more calories due to sweating. Additionally, the hot temperature is also helpful to stay active, whereas a cold atmosphere can drag us to lethargy.

All-rounder Surya Namaskars or Sun Salutations

Yoga of any type or category has thousands of asanas, each with modifications for beginners to the advanced. It is highly essential to follow the instructions considering your physical capacity to avoid any adverse effects. If searching for all the suitable ones is a tedious job, you can opt for single exercise yoga, the sun salutations.

This cycle of twelve powerful yoga postures can simply become a strenuous workout if you repeat it multiple times. You can set the pace and number of cycles suitable to your strength to work out continuously. These Surya Namaskars are thus best to improve internal health, flexibility, and toning our muscles.

Power or Aerial yoga for activity

Do you always find yoga slow and boring? If you are an active player, Power yoga or Aerial yoga is the best for you. Power yoga is a modern mixture of Ashtanga yoga and Vinyasa yoga having demanding and fast-paced exercises only. It primarily evolved in gyms to help beginners adjust to fast and demanding workouts.

Ariel exercises are the same as mat yoga positions but are performed while being suspended on a sling or hammock. Both the variations are equivalent to any cardiovascular workout to improve flexibility, burn countable calories, and tone our body. The postures and asanas target various limbs and body parts for an overall full-body exercise.

Restorative yoga for healing

As the name suggests, this category includes all the relaxing postures using mats, pillows, and blankets to relax and rejuvenate the body. You can perform these asanas properly after a strenuous workout, a tiresome day, or even after a long run to cool down your body and muscles.

Yin yoga from China, Shavasana yoga(corpse pose), and Pranayama (breathing exercises) are popular choices every time. These sessions are also effective for physiotherapy under guidance to restore the ailing limbs with flexibility.

Ashtanga Yoga, an ancient practice, is considered one of the most challenging types of yoga that have been practiced for decades. However, this strenuous form of yoga is one of the best ways to learn about your mental and physical strength and understand yoga at deeper levels.

Even though Ashtanga is referenced around 200 to 50 BC, it was popularized by the late Pattabhi Jois in 1948. This vigorous style of yoga consists of advanced postures done in a set sequence or order and focuses on how the breath is linked to movements. Ashtanga yoga is divided into six levels- Primary series, secondary series, and four advanced series. These six series levels have various standing and sitting postures, and each practice begins with a sun salutation. A beginner will have to start from the primary series and move on to the advanced ones once they have mastered the sequence.

Before looking more into Ashtanga, you need to understand its three pillars.

Three Principles of Ashtanga yoga

The practice of Ashtanga yoga is based on the concept of tristhana, which focuses on introspection, making it a form of meditation. The three principles of Ashtanga are:

Pranayama

Breathing is the foundation of this yogic practice and uses the breathing method called ujjayi pranayama, or ocean breath, to improve the body’s oxygen level.

Asana

While doing this yoga, you must follow a series of sitting and standing postures in a defined order. This asana is performed to unlock the three points in the body- the Mula bandha (point in the spine), the uddiyana bandha (located below the belly button), and the jalandhara bandha (located near the throat).

Drishti

This element of tristhana is where you bring use your mind into practice. This will improve focus and self-awareness as you breathe and move.

How to practice Ashtanga Yoga

When practicing this yoga, you must follow the primary series that includes a sun salutation, a standing sequence, a backhanding sequence, and a finishing sequence. In addition, while practicing Ashtanga, you can follow some general tips.

Remember to move at your own pace.

Ashtanga is a challenging yogic practice that needs intense discipline. As this can be very strenuous, it is best not to overdo it when you start. Instead, you need to start small, understand each movement, and ensure that you are comfortable with every posture before jumping into the entire session.

Continuous practice

Once you have memorized all the yoga postures, you need to start practicing. First, practice all the poses and ensure your body feels comfortable with the movements. Also, learn when to breathe. If you do the practice incorrectly- misaligned the spine or improper backhand- yoga won’t be effective, and you may even get injured.

Stay focused

Instead of focusing on how your posture looks, concentrate on breathing. Refrain from comparing your improvement with the other students. Instead, try to be mindful and improve yourself.

Ashtanga yoga suits more advanced yogis who want to strengthen their practice. But at the same time, newbies can benefit from the structure, postures, and self-discipline that are the foundation of this yoga style.

 

Yoga is an exhilaration for both physical and mental Health that has helped thousands of people maintain their physical and psychological well-being over the years. The benefits of yoga can be reaped by everyone, irrespective of age and gender. So even though you’re not a seasonal yoga practitioner, you can still get started with some of the most accessible yoga poses to improve your Health.

Note: It is essential to move slowly and gradually from one pose to another, with slow breathing. If you face difficulty or shortness of breath, you can pause for a while and continue your breathing returns to normal. It is also recommended to hold for 3 seconds in each pose before moving to the net one.

Downward facing dog/ Adho Mukha Shawanasana.

It is the easiest pose to start with, which will help strengthen your entire body, including arms, shoulders, back and calves, hamstrings, etc.

• This pose is usually recommended for people suffering from back pain
• People facing carpal tunnel syndrome, high blood pressure, pregnancy, and wrist and joint pain can skip this pose.
• It is essential to focus and distribute your weight evenly on your palm and feet by lifting your hips slowly.

Child’s pose/ Balasana

Everyone has done this pose at least once in their lifetime, with or without knowledge. Because of the calmness provided by the pose, it is also called the calming pose. It is done to gently stretch the back, hips, thighs, knees, and ankles and helps relax the spine, shoulder, and back.

• It is done when you need a gentle stretch on the back of your body
• People with knee injuries, ankle problems, and high blood pressure should skip this.
• It is essential to focus on breathing when you’re in the pose.

Corpse Pose/Savasana

Most yoga classes end with this pose. It is when a person is stiffly lying on their back to promote even and proper blood flow in the body. Although some people cannot stay in this pose for a long time, when done right, it can help with relaxation.

• You can do this pose any time in the day or night
• You need to relax and take deep breaths while doing it for maximum benefits.

Tree pose/ Vrikshasana

This simple pose has enormous benefits. It helps strengthen the spine, core, thighs, ankles, and calves.

• It is mainly done to enhance balance and is recommended for dancers
• People with low blood pressure can skip this pose as it will affect their balance
• Focus on your breath when in the posture to reap maximum benefits

Cobra pose/ Bhujangasana

It is a pose that relaxes and bends your back when you lay on the mat. It also helps strengthen back muscles and stretches the shoulders, abdomen, and chest.

• It is best for strengthening
• People with a back injury, arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome can avoid it
• It is also essential to keep your navel on the floor while doing this pose.

A sudden pandemic and a series of lockdowns have taken more toll on our mental health than the so-feared virus attack. Away from social life, family time, and traveling freedom, we all have faced quite a trauma and depression in solitude. If you aren’t aware, yoga has been one of the faithful companions that helped many people cope with foreseen situations. If you haven’t yet started, explore how yoga can help you to face the pandemic confidently.

Reduces mental stress

Solitude without social interaction is the biggest criminal resulting in stress. Nonetheless, the sudden demand for work-from-home culture in every industry has also led to a tangled lifestyle with people ending up in stress.

Yoga is one famous therapy, slow and steady in execution but the one perfectly calming a stressed mind. Whether it’s the effortless Pranayama or the active Hatha yoga, the exercises are designed to reduce mental stress and anxiety. Not more than half an hour, a constant practice of mental concentration through yoga can easily defeat the stress to cope with any situation.

Ensures fitness when you are stuck indoors

Strict lockdowns of parks and gyms have made people literal couch potatoes, now even reluctant to move for their own work. Strenuous workouts and regular home exercises can’t be for all due to a massive change in our lifestyle.

Say, if you are used to jogging or swimming, you can find it hard when you don’t have an option at home. Instead of starting a different challenging exercise, yoga can be the best option to keep your body fit. You can start with simple mat asanas and then advance to physically demanding ones like Hot yoga, Power yoga, or Ashtanga yoga practices.

Covid patients could recover quick

Given it’s a world pandemic, the persistent mutations of Covid have almost stuck each and every one with the virus. On top of health ailments, the isolation and fear of hospitalization crumble many people worsening their situation.

Yogic meditation, like Ashtanga yoga concentration, can benefit recovering patients to beat mental stress and spiritually strengthen themselves for a quick recovery. Asymptomatic patients or those with mild symptoms can also try simple breathing exercises or restorative yoga to strengthen themselves quickly.

Helps accustom to work-from-home culture

Apart from the affected, those stuck with a remote job can also struggle to balance their work and family life. With more household chores and less external help, the tedious schedule often leads to burnout and fatigue for many.

Practicing yoga every day can develop a relaxed and disciplined work-life routine along with ample entertainment. Even a single exercise session like that of Sun Salutations can be helpful to intellectually strengthen yourself for adjusting your office at home without comprising with your family life.

Helps follow a productive routine

Unforeseen health ailments, uninformed office meetings, or a sudden demand to attend a friend or family can easily havoc our lifestyle amidst this crisis. If our mindset and personality aren’t strong enough to support the requirements, we might just increase the trouble. Yoga for personality development can strengthen us physically and mentally to support our society, similar to the hard-working frontline workers.