Yoga, the ancient Indian system of healing is rapidly gaining new followers around the world. Many international personalities such as the model Christy Turlington, the entertainer Madonna, and the First Lady of America, Laura Bush, are followers of yoga.
Yoga as it is internationally practiced worldwide, focuses on its physical postures and stretching exercises. These postures or asanas, stretch, stimulate and exercise different parts of the body, thus promoting overall physical vigor. The controlled stretching and relaxation of the muscles, achieved by a series of yoga exercises, result in greater flexibility and strength as well as better posture and coordination of the overall body.
Yoga asanas, when correctly and regularly practiced, have been proved to help in reducing weight, provide relief from back pain, cervical spondylosis, and various musculo-skeletal conditions. Yoga exercises can be carried out during pregnancy and are of special benefit to the elderly, since they are carried out in a relaxed manner. Yoga exercises help in managing stress, various occupational aches and pains and have been used in the management of blood pressure and in physiotherapy as a rehabilitation measure.
Some basic yoga asanas and their benefits are listed below.
Surya Namaskar = (Bowing before the sun) A complete sequence of exercises, that tone every muscle in the body.
Saavasana = (Complete Relaxation) A state of motionless, relaxed, meditation that provides inner calm.
Padmasana = (The Lotus Posture) A meditative posture, that also aids in diaphragmatic breathing
Paschimotanasana = (Eastword Stretching Posture) Stretches the arms, back and leg muscles, promoting flexibility and firming the abdomen.
Bhujangasana =(The Snake Posture) Strengthens the back, abdomen and muscles of the lower limbs
Dhanurasana = (The Bow Posture) Strengthens the shoulders, back, abdomen, muscles of the lower limbs and promotes flexibility
Matsyasana = (The Fish Posture) Strengthens the abdomen, back, muscles of the lower limbs and promotes flexibility .
