Asanas in Yoga
There is a common misconception among many people about what they think yoga really is. Although by judging the movements from a distance, yoga looks like an age-old Eastern stretching technique, there is much more to the practice than that. The asanas are certain poses held to directly affect specific areas of the body, and allow energy to openly flow around the body. Asanas were developed as positions to be held during extended periods of meditation which is why they allow the mind to concentrate and tone the body at the same time.
When a person first begins practicing yoga, the numerous positions may seem overwhelming to learn. As they attend more yoga classes, the asanas will become more like a second nature. Most of the poses positively affect the back and stomach by strengthening the core of the body. Asanas vary a great deal by performing them balancing, twisting, standing, sitting, and so on. Soon, the capacity of the workout increases, and physical and mental changes will be evident.
Yoga is a unifying experience, and one part of this connection includes the mind working in unison with the body. You are only asked to perform the asanas to the best of your ability, and no one will ask of you otherwise. There is much praise awarded for anything you achieve through yoga. This leads to a more fulfilling and healthy lifestyle and teaches self-acceptance. If one is coordinated enough to control the aspects of their body and mind, a new sense of internal power increases self esteem.
Aside from increased flexibility, a stable mind, and a stronger physique, yoga also reaches the body on a deeper level, affecting internal organs and the harmony of the body. Yoga has been researched for years, especially by skeptics who have noticed the growth in its popularity. The list of other things yoga can help the body achieve are numerous, but a few examples are:
A balanced nervous system
A reduction of life stresses
Improved breathing
Stronger muscles
Current medical practices cannot explain why yoga is so beneficial to the health, but yoga is thought to somehow detoxify the entire system. There are few other practices, if any at all, that work the mind, body, and soul as one. Each part of the human system is attended to, and there is much detail in every process. Anyone who has given the practice of yoga a chance could not say that yoga did not change their lives for the better.