What is Yoga?

YOGA is a Hindu spiritual and ascetic discipline, which includes breath control, simple meditation, and it is widely practiced for health and relaxation.Yoga is an ancient art based on developing the mind and spirit. Regular practice of yoga will lead you to a sense of peace and well-being as it can makes the body strong and flexible, it also improves the functioning of the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and hormonal systems. Yoga brings about emotional stability and clarity of mind. Yoga could improve athletic performance too. Unlike other forms of exercises which develop fitness by stressing the body, yoga builds strength and endurance while lowering the stress hormones that age us, so a regular practice can offers all kinds of mental and physical health benefits, release tension, makes you relax and increase feeling of well-being. If you are new to yoga there are many kinds of yoga to choose like Anusara, Ashtanga, Bikram, Hatha, Iyengar, Jivamukti, Kripalu, Kundalini, Power, Prenatal , Restorative, Sivananda, Viniyoga and Yin which is also known as Taoist yoga. All kinds or yoga improves our health it depends on your fitness and personality.

Some advantages of physical and mental benefits:

• Joint health
• Balance
• Breathing well
• Pain prevention
• Strength
• Flexibility
• Stress reduction
• Mental calmness
• Body awareness

The best yoga practicing time is early in the morning and if possible before sunrise or late in the evening According to yoga instructor Christina Brown says: "First, it becomes habit; then it becomes a lifestyle; then it becomes who you are.” 

When deciding to start yoga, do so slowly and listen to the body messages, do not push too hard otherwise it will have a reverse effect and will not be enjoyable, also may cause damage if not following the right instructions. 

For the first few sessions it is essential to train with an experienced instructor for learning the safety steps and avoiding injuries. Being well prepared for each session is important and try using comfortable training clothes that are not too tight. Also avoiding eating and keeping an empty stomach before sessions is a must. 

Learning and maintaining proper yoga positions requires full awareness. Its very easy when getting used to it even so you can perform some yoga moves at home or in office if space and tranquility is available. Staying positive and giving enough time to perform yoga exercises will help our mental and physical well being, this requires patience and dedication, but the benefits and positive impacts are great on our daily life. 

The earlier you start practicing yoga the more you shall achieve, becoming confident, strong, flexible, mentally and physically balanced, and self-disciplined. Doctors, researchers and people who practiced yoga believe in its benefits for body and mind.

Some disadvantages of yoga is that not all positions can be practiced by everyone it depends on flexibility and extra weight especially on the middle of the body and in some case it might cause injures,The health professional report and warn from some disadvantages like insomnia (inability to sleep), rashes on the skin, aching and painful muscles and fever or overheating.The most serious disadvantage is having energy drinks or pills before attending yoga class to increase performance and burn calories.

Yoga teacher must have good technical and communication skills in order to have positions demonstrated perfectly, cautions and modifications explained fully and able to pass energy to students to enhance their meditation experience and healing exercises.The teacher must be full of energy, focused, calm, centered and enthusiastic.The voice plays also an important role and must be clear energetic and magnetic to attract the students attention.

According to a 2012 study by Sports Marketing Surveys on behalf of Yoga Journal, there are about 20 million Americans over the age of 18 practiced yoga last year, or 8.7% of the adult population, up from 15.8 million in 2008. Americans are spending $10.7 billion a year on yoga classes and its accessories like blocks, clothes and mats. Women practice more than men about 4 women for each 1 man.

San Francisco was the first city to set up a yoga room at its airport.The most yoga-mad metro area in the nation: San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, Calif., where residents are 59% more likely to practice yoga than the general U.S. population

The business of yoga is growing fast. Let yoga fit into your daily life.You must add it to your time table It is a lifestyle that helps to make life easier and what we want more than and easy healthy life.

If performing Yoga outdoor it is recommended to wear sun protection clothing or active wear to protect your skin from the sun UV radiation, and using sunscreen on exposed skin will also provide adequate protection.