Getting proper exercise is one of the five basic points taught in yoga and even though there are many modern physical culture systems that are used to develop muscles by means of mechanical movements as well as exercises, yoga exercise considers the body to be a vehicle for the soul that is journeying towards achieving perfection and the various exercises are used to develop not only the mind but also to broaden the mental faculties as well as the spirit.
Asana or Steady Poise
Yoga exercise is known by the term asana which means steady poise and is achieved by holding this posture for some time and is really an advanced practice. To begin with, the yoga exercise may be concerned with simply increasing the flexibility of the body. Yoga exercise focuses on the spine's health as well as its strength and flexibility. The all-important nervous system is housed in the spinal column and the nervous system telegraphs signals within the body and so when one maintains the flexibility of the spine as well as its strength through yoga exercise, circulation goes up and the nerves get adequate supply of nutrients as well as oxygen.
The internal organs as well as the endocrine system are also affected by the asanas and as a matter of tradition, the yogi practices surya namaskar or the sun salutation, prior to the asanas. There are believed to be as many as 8,400,000 asanas according to scriptures and the yoga exercise practices the 12 basic postures to get the essence as well as other benefits of yoga. The twelve basic postures are headstand, shoulderstand, plough, fish, forward bend, cobra, locust, bow, spinal twist, crow pose, standing forward bend and triangle.
Besides these twelve postures, one may also want to get the right yoga exercise that is meant especially for the self and these include yoga for disease, yoga for back pain, yoga for arthritis, yoga for anxiety and depression, as well as yoga for diabetes. As is evident, the yoga exercise not only helps healthy people but can also be used for people with health conditions. When practicing yoga exercise, it would involve practicing both the mind and body and takes a lot of willpower as well as perseverance to get used to each yoga pose and one needs to also practice daily. Yoga exercise would result in better health, increasing resistance as well as developing mental awareness.
