Yoga is very wide and comprehensive system embracing all walks of human life. It is unlike Ayurvedic, Unani and Homoeopathy. It is not merely a system of treatment but has potential to develop alround health i.e. physical, social, mental and spiritual. For social health, it prescribes the practice of Yama & Niyama and Karma Yoga. A man devoted to karma Yoga looks all the living beings as his bretherens and helps them getting rid of painful situations. This concept of "Vasudhaiv Kutmba Kama" is the basic Philosophy of Yoga.
The eight limbs of yoga aim at making a person aware of his surroundings and how he reacts with the outer environment, to refine his behavior, in order to bring them in sync with the external conditions, then look within him selves and carry out an impartial and unbiased self-evaluation, thus leading to the ultimate goal of self realization or enlightenment. Although this seems like a complicated and philosophical statement, its true meaning emerges only after one starts practising yoga and becomes aware of the positive changes that take place in his physical, psychological and social behaviour.
Yoga is what is traditionally called a liberation teaching. It seeks to liberate us from our limited notion of who we are. We habitually identify with our particular body, mind, possessions, and relationships (which we often treat like possessions). But this mental-emotional habit, according to Yoga, is really a profound and fateful misidentification. It keeps us stuck in our behavioral grooves, causing us to experience suffering over and over again.
Good Exercise is the principle revolves around physical movement. The exercise is achieved through a series of Yoga postures or Asana' which concentrate on all parts of the body, stretching and toning the muscles and ligaments, developing suppleness of the spine and the joints, and improving circulation of the blood. Yoga postures need to be guided by the breath. The co-ordination of movement and breath is important as it induces physical strength and mental relaxation. Asana also contributes to spiritual growth.
What you eat extremely affects your mind. Improper diet results to mental inefficiency and blocks spiritual awareness. Proper diet is one that nourishes both mind and body. It should be well balanced and based on natural foods. Proper diet in Yoga also means eating in moderation and eating only when you are hungry. We sometimes tend to eat when we are upset, using food to fill the gap or the emptiness that we feel. Bad eating habits will cause our senses to be dull that we won't even notice how much we eat or how it tastes and may result to diet related ailments like obesity and diabetes. Food should sustain our body. It should keep the body light and supple, the mind calm, and it should also help in keeping a strong immune system.
Yoga is a journey of theory and practice. In order to engage Yoga properly and successfully, one must pay attention to the ideas behind its practical disciplines and to the exercises and techniques encompassing its theories. This calls for thoughtful and mindful practice. For instance, regular and correct practice of the yogic postures will definitely help us maintain good physical health.
