Yoga

What is Yoga and Why is Yoga
The word YOGA comes from Sanskrit, the language of ancient India. It means union, integration, or wholeness. It is an approach to health that promotes the harmonious collaboration of the human being’s three components: body, mind, and spirit.
Yoga is not just about physical activity. It is also spiritual practice. It improves balance in your body and mind, give the meaning to your day. Yoga is the practice of quieting the mind, the suspension of the fluctuations of the mind, a way to freedom. By its constant practice, we can free ourselves from fear, anguish and loneliness. Yoga can add energy, strength, and beauty to body, mind, and soul. Yoga does more than burn calories and tone muscles. It’s a total mind-body workout that combines strengthening and stretching poses with deep breathing and meditation or relaxation.

Branches of Yoga
In ancient times yoga was often referred to as a tree, a living entity with roots, a trunk, branches, blossoms, and fruit. Hatha yoga is main branch; the others include raja, karma, bhakti, jnana, and mantra, tantra, and kriya yoga.
Each branch with its unique characteristics and function represents a particular approach to life. Some people may find one particular branch more inviting than another. However, it is important to note that involvement in one of these paths does not preclude activity in any of the others, and in fact you’ll find many paths naturally overlapping.

Hatha Yoga
Haṭha yoga is a branch of yoga. The Sanskrit word haṭha literally means “force” and thus alludes to a system of physical techniques. Hatha yoga is typically comes to mind when you think of yoga in general terms. The practice involves breath, body, and mind, and classes are usually 45 minutes to 90 minutes of breathing, yoga asanas and meditation.
Classical Hatha yoga was developed in the 15th century and included guidance for the proper setting of yoga, asanas, pranayama or breathing exercises, mudras or hand gestures, and meditation for personal spiritual growth.

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