It doesn’t take long before you see the impact of regular yoga practice on your wellbeing, state of mind, complexion and body. But these are just the superficial benefits. Yoga is not just a series of poses and stretches – it’s a way of life.
Yoga is a complete system for de-stressing, becoming more aware of your connection with the earth and following a higher path. When you feel better about yourself, you start to radiate an inner calmness and beauty that draws people towards you.
Asana
In western countries, we associate yoga with stretches and postures such as the dog, cat, cow and bird. This is ‘Asana’, a technique used by the Ancient Tantrics to build a strong body immune to ageing and disease.
There’s nothing like a headstand to improve the circulation of blood to the complexion and stimulate hair follicle growth. Additionally, twists, forward bends and back arches keep the spine youthful. The spinal column contains the spinal cord, which houses the nerves that send impulses from the brain to every part of the body. Postures that ease tension in the spine improve the health of our nervous system, improving the circulation of prana (or life force, just like chi) around the body.
The benefits of yoga
But Asana is just a fraction of the whole yoga philosophy. Yoga is an ancient Indian system created anywhere from 4,000 to 10,000 years ago during the Tantric civilization. Yoga stems from the Sanskrit word Yuj, which means ‘to unite’. In yoga we unite the individual consciousness with the higher consciousness. This is more achievable than you think!
The individual consciousness can lead us to get stuck in our own ego-driven world. If we are not at all spiritually aware, we look at the world only in terms of how it affects us – without considering how it affects those around us. This type of person would say, ‘I hate the rain. It prevents me from going out and getting a suntan.’
The higher consciousness is about the greater good and community. Forgiveness, compassion, open-mindedness, positive self-image, groundedness, good communication skills, sensitivity towards others and contentment are all characteristics of someone who is more connected with the higher consciousness. This type of person would say, ‘I love the rain. It’s great for farmers and the herbs and flowers in the garden!’
So, how does yoga connect us to these higher ideals? During an Asana practice we focus on minuscule details, such as the positions of fingers and toes. Breath awareness is also integral. We are completely in the moment so that for one blissful hour we are removed from stress, strain and any external influences that affect our wellbeing and happiness.
There’s no time to think about deadlines, disputes or personal issues. When you leave a yoga class you often feel ‘high’ or want to hug someone. Regular yoga practice makes this endorphin rush last long after the class is over. You will gradually feel a greater connection to the universe and everything that it has to offer, and radiate calmness and beauty.
