Yoga is a philosophical teaching that has its origins in India and combines various exercises such as asanas (posture), pranayama (breathing), meditation and deep relaxation. Yoga can be seen as a method of creating unity and thus balance between existing dualities on a physical and mental level. The focus is on the effort to connect body, mind and breath in a harmonious way.
Hatha yoga
A union of the body as a whole with the mind can lead to a harmonization of the conflicting tendencies and energies of the mind. On a physical level, mobility increases, metabolism and circulation are stimulated and the entire body is strengthened. This also causes the body to be cleansed of waste and toxins. Hatha yoga also influences the vegetative processes of the organism. The vegetative nervous system controls the processes in the body that cannot be influenced voluntarily. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are the two opponents of the vegetative nervous system. This part of the nervous system controls tension and relaxation, stimulation and calming of physiological processes in the body. It also influences psychosomatic processes in our body, such as sleep. The activity of the sympathetic nervous system is increased by activity, exertion of will and stress. The parasympathetic nervous system acts as a calming counterpart. The western way of life is characterized by a stronger activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Activating the parasympathetic nervous system through relaxation techniques to balance things out is therefore so important for us.
Practice of Yoga
The starting point for exercises is the body, the breath and the mind. The practice of yoga offers a successful combination of these three starting points. The physical exercises should be combined with the breath as much as possible and by practicing conscious breathing, tiredness, lack of concentration, oxygen deficiency and metabolic disorders can be positively influenced. The holistic view is the basis of exercises. Yoga is seen as a holistic practice that develops the ability to perceive, improves our understanding of ourselves and can make us happier and more content in life.
Asanas
In Western culture, is used as a generic term for various philosophical theories and associated exercise systems, most of which originate from India. Creative self-realization is the focus of all yoga paths. Different styles developed from a strongly religious perspective. The best-known a method is probably Hatha yoga. There is evidence of texts from the 13th to 15th centuries about exercises that were practiced in various small schools and groups. In practice, consists of a sequence of different postures of the body (asanas). Asanas have an effect that can influence the flow of body energies.
