Yoga has an extremely long history; over 6,000 years in fact! This ancient form of exercise is great for conditioning the body and the mind alike.
The practice of yoga is largely thought of as just the asanas (postures and exercises), but breath is really at the heart of yoga. Some have said "if you can breathe, then you can do yoga". The use of breathing techniques to quiet your mind is one of the primary objectives of yoga.
By regularly taking the time for yoga, you will become very conscious of your breathing. You will train yourself to control your breath, which will help you become calm and relaxed. As well, the form of your asanas will improve the more you focus on your breathing.
It is in our nature to let our minds drift into concerns of the future and the past. But our bodies are only alive in the present. Through the performance of yoga, you can learn how to focus your mind on your body and let go of all of your worries, all through proper breathing.
Yoga can help to prevent stress and disease by letting you do this - letting go of these harmful, stressful thoughts, even for a short time, restores your body and mind to a healthy balanced state. Focusing on the present is what brings about this benefit.
Yoga teaches the practice of conscious breathing while doing poses - this fosters consciousness of your technique and greater mental alertness. By drawing your mind into the moment and forgetting all else, you will garner the benefits which yoga has to offer.
Yoga has many breathing exercises which combat tension and bring a balanced mental state - to begin with, try this exercise.
* Lie or sit comfortably and become aware of your normal state of breathing.
* Still aware of your breath, inhale and exhale 4 counts each several times.
* Next, increase your inhalation and exhalations to 5 counts each.
* After several rounds of breathing in and out for five counts, increase to six counts. Be conscious of your body at all times and don't tense up.
* Continue this way until your inhalations and exhalations reach 9 counts. If this is causing you any discomfort, drop the count back down to more comfortable number for you.
* Keep bringing your mind back to your body to check to see if there is any tension anywhere in your body. If so, attempt to relax that part of your body.
* However high a count you managed to attain with your breathing, maintain that number for a few more rounds, then stop counting and just breathe naturally for ten rounds.
What you should discover from this exercise, as well as with many of yoga's other breathing exercises, is the ability to relax your thoughts and to still your mind so that you are present in your body. In time, you will eventually gain mastery over your breath so that you will be able to call on your breath to still your mind in times of stress and tension.
The practice of yoga is largely thought of as just the asanas (postures and exercises), but breath is really at the heart of yoga. Some have said "if you can breathe, then you can do yoga". The use of breathing techniques to quiet your mind is one of the primary objectives of yoga.
By regularly taking the time for yoga, you will become very conscious of your breathing. You will train yourself to control your breath, which will help you become calm and relaxed. As well, the form of your asanas will improve the more you focus on your breathing.
It is in our nature to let our minds drift into concerns of the future and the past. But our bodies are only alive in the present. Through the performance of yoga, you can learn how to focus your mind on your body and let go of all of your worries, all through proper breathing.
Yoga can help to prevent stress and disease by letting you do this - letting go of these harmful, stressful thoughts, even for a short time, restores your body and mind to a healthy balanced state. Focusing on the present is what brings about this benefit.
Yoga teaches the practice of conscious breathing while doing poses - this fosters consciousness of your technique and greater mental alertness. By drawing your mind into the moment and forgetting all else, you will garner the benefits which yoga has to offer.
Yoga has many breathing exercises which combat tension and bring a balanced mental state - to begin with, try this exercise.
* Lie or sit comfortably and become aware of your normal state of breathing.
* Still aware of your breath, inhale and exhale 4 counts each several times.
* Next, increase your inhalation and exhalations to 5 counts each.
* After several rounds of breathing in and out for five counts, increase to six counts. Be conscious of your body at all times and don't tense up.
* Continue this way until your inhalations and exhalations reach 9 counts. If this is causing you any discomfort, drop the count back down to more comfortable number for you.
* Keep bringing your mind back to your body to check to see if there is any tension anywhere in your body. If so, attempt to relax that part of your body.
* However high a count you managed to attain with your breathing, maintain that number for a few more rounds, then stop counting and just breathe naturally for ten rounds.
What you should discover from this exercise, as well as with many of yoga's other breathing exercises, is the ability to relax your thoughts and to still your mind so that you are present in your body. In time, you will eventually gain mastery over your breath so that you will be able to call on your breath to still your mind in times of stress and tension.
About the Author:
Kim Archer enjoys the health benefits and relaxation of yoga. A great source of information on this restorative practice can be found at Yoga Essentials.
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