When Swami Vivekanada, an Indian philosopher, toured the United States and Europe in the late eighteen hundreds he could probably not foresee just how popular his introduction of Asana would become. His philosophy of holistic development of the mind, body and spirit became popular immediately and today many millions of people practice this unique discipline all over the world. It is so popular, in fact, that when looking for a yoga instructor Temple TX citizens even have a choice between many teachers.
There are many misconceptions about Asana. On the one hand there are those that believe it to be a a series of exercises and on the other hand there are those that think it is a religious system that aims to convert practitioners to Hinduism. Asana is not a religious belief. Instead, it is philosophy that believes that true personal growth requires growth in spirit, mind and body.
Basically, to practice Asana it is necessary to learn a series of poses and stretching exercises. These exercises have many physical benefits, but they are also used by teachers to bring home very specific spiritual and philosophical principles. There are many approaches to this philosophy. Some are more strenuous whilst others are more introspective. Beginners are encouraged to experiment and choose the discipline that will best satisfy their needs.
One of the reasons why Asana has become so popular is the fact that it does not entail any form of competition. Practitioners progress at their own pace and they only learn new techniques and poses when they feel ready. The fact that everybody can participate, even physically handicapped people, also adds to the attraction. It is the perfect holistic activity for the entire family.
The medical benefits of Asana has been the subject of numerous clinical and empirical studies. It seems that there is evidence that it can be of great benefit to people suffering from asthma, muscle pain and heart disease. It has also been lauded to help lower the blood pressure of hypertension patients and there have even been studies to investigate its effectiveness in helping to prevent several types of cancer.
The physical aspect of Asana is low impact. Injuries are rare and practitioners are able to control their own efforts. It is still recommended to join a class at first, not to avoid injuries but to learn the basic principles and to settle into a regime. Classes are offered everywhere, even in the smallest communities. It is not expensive and it is not necessary to buy any equipment.
The popularity of Asana has seen to it that both beginners and more experienced practitioners are not short of resources. There are numerous books on the subject and the internet is home to a host of sites dedicated to teaching, supporting and informing practitioners. Beginners should note, however, that they need to discern between the various disciplines within Asana, otherwise they may become confused.
Every day more people take up yoga. They are motivated by different things. Some wants to become fit, others seek inner growth and yet others want to find a natural solution to disease. Whatever the reason, Asana is sure to be of benefit to everyone practising it.
There are many misconceptions about Asana. On the one hand there are those that believe it to be a a series of exercises and on the other hand there are those that think it is a religious system that aims to convert practitioners to Hinduism. Asana is not a religious belief. Instead, it is philosophy that believes that true personal growth requires growth in spirit, mind and body.
Basically, to practice Asana it is necessary to learn a series of poses and stretching exercises. These exercises have many physical benefits, but they are also used by teachers to bring home very specific spiritual and philosophical principles. There are many approaches to this philosophy. Some are more strenuous whilst others are more introspective. Beginners are encouraged to experiment and choose the discipline that will best satisfy their needs.
One of the reasons why Asana has become so popular is the fact that it does not entail any form of competition. Practitioners progress at their own pace and they only learn new techniques and poses when they feel ready. The fact that everybody can participate, even physically handicapped people, also adds to the attraction. It is the perfect holistic activity for the entire family.
The medical benefits of Asana has been the subject of numerous clinical and empirical studies. It seems that there is evidence that it can be of great benefit to people suffering from asthma, muscle pain and heart disease. It has also been lauded to help lower the blood pressure of hypertension patients and there have even been studies to investigate its effectiveness in helping to prevent several types of cancer.
The physical aspect of Asana is low impact. Injuries are rare and practitioners are able to control their own efforts. It is still recommended to join a class at first, not to avoid injuries but to learn the basic principles and to settle into a regime. Classes are offered everywhere, even in the smallest communities. It is not expensive and it is not necessary to buy any equipment.
The popularity of Asana has seen to it that both beginners and more experienced practitioners are not short of resources. There are numerous books on the subject and the internet is home to a host of sites dedicated to teaching, supporting and informing practitioners. Beginners should note, however, that they need to discern between the various disciplines within Asana, otherwise they may become confused.
Every day more people take up yoga. They are motivated by different things. Some wants to become fit, others seek inner growth and yet others want to find a natural solution to disease. Whatever the reason, Asana is sure to be of benefit to everyone practising it.
About the Author:
Read more about With A Qualified Yoga Instructor Temple TX Residents Can Improve Their Lives.
