Yoga: The Way To Spiritual and Physical Wellness
October 2nd, 2009 6:57 amYoga is understood to several, but very few actually understand what is it, or exercise it. It is claimed that it aids with or cures many illnesses; but some believe that these remedies are just psychological.
If one wants to start Yoga education and practice, he has a choice of countless of books, CDs, and help kits and plenty of other accessories to choose from, for him to enter into the mysterious world of Yoga. There are nine major styles of Yoga, namely - Bhakti, Hatha, Jnana, Karma, Kundalini, Mantra, Raja, Tantra and Yantra. All of them promote union of the body, the spirit and the mind. These are said to achieve harmony, which results in peace. This is a holistic approach to achieve cheerful life. Literally, yoga means union or unity.
Yoga came from India few thousand years ago. It is the mother of many present day Asian martial arts and many health wellness programs. Bhakti, Jnana, Karma and Raja yoga are the higher forms of it.
Hatha Yoga is the most popular style outside India. Most starting practitioners use this style. Hatha Yoga and its sub styles focus on the physical health, which is said to result in better psychological health condition. Those Hatha Yoga practitioners outside India don’t usually deal with spiritual health. Some consider this Yoga style as exported Hinduism that deals only with the teaching of improved body and mind. Therefore if you feel the need to start yoga, you must figure out what direction your teacher or Guru is leading you. Is it to physical, psychological or spiritual well being? This is also true when you select books, cds and other yoga instructional materials.
As a whole, Yoga is a benign faith. It teaches tolerance and unity. It favors unity over sectarianism, toleration over prejudice and you must learn to put up with diversity. As a whole the purpose of yoga is world peace through unity. These elements influence and improve one’s attitude toward others and his surroundings. By doing these, also he is improving his mental, physical and spiritual health. So it’s a religion that betters oneself through himself.
