Article Advise

submitted: Aug 24th 2008 | by: AntonioEnriquez | Total views: 1 | Word Count: 544 | |

Getting your body in good condition or simply just keeping it in great shape has become an emphasis in modern society. There are numerous methods out there that promote physical health and many more being developed. These new forms of exersise aren't usually that new however. They are based on ancient practices from thousand of years ago.

If you were to take a yoga class today, you will see that its movements are similar to those performed in ballet. Many people that take yoga are seeking to improve their flexibility, health and grace. The similarities of yoga and other forms of exercise are only on the surface. Today yoga is known as a new age way to get into shape and improve your health, but yoga has been around for centuries in Eastern cultures practiced for spiritual purposes and traditions as well.

To the western world, yoga has become just another way to exercise and the spiritual aspects of it have been lost. Even though the techniques and movements are the same, its meaning has changed. Originally, yoga was viewed as a small part of the whole like a branch on a tree, but in western society it is viewed more as the entire tree itself losing many of the deeper rooted aspects.

Even though the development of yoga cannot be traced to the exact moment in time, it is roughly taken to be at the time of the discovery of the seals of the Indus Valley civilization which depicts figures in the yoga posture (asana) of the lotus pose at about 3000 BC. Around this time, the Vedas were also being written and these are the sources of the current yoga postures. The Vedas gave rise to Vedic yoga which created the old Indian obsession with ritual and sacrifice. The yogic corpse asana shows the importance given to sacrifice.

It involves lying as if placed in a coffin, signifying death, the greatest of sacrifices. This is deeply meaningful, even though it might seem morbid today. The corpse pose meant that one understood that according to the Veda's teachings, death leads to freedom.

Yoga means 'union' and sacrifice was seen as something which would join the physical and the spiritual. The Vedanta sutras (verses 4:4, 13-14) say that the free soul is not attracted to material possessions. By wanting us to liberate ourselves from being attracted to materiality, compassion wants us to be self-sacrificing. This spirit of unselfishness and giving must needs be compassionate.

Even today, modern yoga does make this possible. Through the medium of the asanas and stillness, we can change our awareness and thus, our outlook. We will feel ourselves to be part of the cosmic whole, and see how giving to others is also giving to ourselves, as we are all one.

In ancient times the practice of yoga was viewed as a small part of the bigger picture. It focused on breathing and the posture of the body as well as the development of the mind, body and soul. Today however, yoga focuses more on the postures and not as much on how to breath. There are numerous advantages to the postures and concentration on breathing. There are also many medical benefits including extra energy, improved balance and flexibility not to mention stress relief, improved strength.

About the Author

There are many different techniques and positions of this incredible exercise. Learn more about the origins of yoga and how it can help you in your life. Find out how simple it is with the proper beginner yoga exercises.

Comments

No comments posted.

You do not have permission to comment. If you log in, you may be able to comment.