Could Yoga Make You Smarter Essay

Could Yoga Make You Smarter Essay
Research Article # 1:
This article "Could Yoga Make You Smarter?" shows that yoga can benefit more than just your
body.
You will see how the older adults are tested to see if yoga does make them smarter
The article will show older adults being accessed after participating in yoga for 2 months regularly.
It will also show what can be beneficial to make an older adult smarter using yoga and what cannot.
The article will provide you with the results to show that yoga did help older adults become smarter
and those who did not and why.
It will tell you why it does work for older adults and how.
The article will show the improvements that are made by using yoga for 2 months regularly for
adults.
Purpose:
The purpose of this article is to teach ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
What are the benefits of these different types of yoga on people's bodies and minds?
Research Article # 3:
Background:
This article, "Effects of Integrated Yoga on Quality of Life and Interpersonal Relationship of
Pregnant Women" shows the effects that yoga has on the quality of life people.
It will also show the benefits that yoga has on pregnant women.
It will show that yoga does reduce stress.
It also shows that yoga can improve more than just the quality of life in people.
Yoga was presented to people in different ways for different bodily needs.
It also states the different things that can cause an issue with the quality of life of pregnant women.
Purpose:
The purpose of this article is seeing what the effects of yoga have on the quality of life as well as the
tension and other bodily issues during a normal pregnancy on their interpersonal relationship.
Subjects:
The subjects in this article are pregnant women.
Procedures/Methods:
According to the article "Effects of Integrated Yoga on Quality of Life and Interpersonal
Relationship of Pregnant Women," One hundred and two pregnant women between 18 and 20 weeks
of gestation who met the inclusion criteria were recruited from the obstetric units in Bangalore and
were randomly assigned to two groups of

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The Pros And Cons Of Hatha Yoga
Existence Could Be Unbearably Demanding
Existence could be filled with excitement and fun! For a lot of, though, existence can also be filled
with challenges and demands, and this may lead to worry. These conflicting conditions create stress,
and also, since there's a restriction as we are able to handle, the strain could be intolerable.
Because it is, there's no fast solution or pill that you could take which will take away the stress.
Smart males of old have therefore come to the conclusion that people must look within us for that
remedy. A few of the techniques of to reduce stress are available inside the traditions of meditation
and yoga.
Where does yoga originate from?
Cultures for example Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism have incorporated types of yoga inside their
traditions. Yoga because it is practiced today could be tracked towards the influences of these
cultures. At its core, it calls for creating discipline of mind and body, and results in better health or
perhaps spiritual enlightenment if taken that far. A feeling behind the term "yoga" is "joining" or
"union," and refers back to the re–joining in our innermost selves. ... Show more content on
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Advantages of Hatha Yoga
A normal hatha yoga practice can help you develop versatility, strength, as well as cardiovascular
health. It facilitates healing from injuries. Studies demonstrate the numerous advantages of yoga,
leading many to incorporate yoga in their physical fitness program. A few of the types of people that
possess a yoga practice include business person, stars and stars, and professional sports athletes.
Are you aware associated with an exercise which massages the organs? Hatha yoga does! You may
even experience better immunity from disease and enhanced understanding of the healthiness of
your personal body.
Advantages of

Summary Of How Yoga, Meditation Benefit The Mind And Body
Introduction
In the article entitled "How yoga, meditation benefit the mind and body", Maria Cohut reveals the
advantages of yoga to the mind and body based on a study conducted by Dr. B Rael Cahn. She
highlighted some of the significance of yoga and meditation mainly about the ability to recover from
stress and boosting overall well–being. This paper will review Maria's opinion and will assess the
quality of her writing as well as aiming on any areas of weakness within her article. Summary
The article emphasize on the affect of yoga and meditation in improving resilience plus the possible
advantages to the nervous system of human body. Maria had listed a few title of article which point
out the importance of yoga and meditation in the beginning of the article to give a clear picture that
the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
However, the article is insufficient with some information which is needed to give a clear picture of
yoga and meditation. Not giving an introduction about yoga and meditation is the major fault
because it is possible that the reader could be with zero percent of knowledge on this topic.
Furthermore, Maria just stated the types of yoga and meditation which are frequently practised by
the participants and this is very hazardous if the readers with back pain do some of the yoga. Indeed,
one of the affected victim stated that, " there are also some negative effects or side effects of yoga
which are in the form of physical injury mostly of the yoga poses are not performed with proper
supervision. If certain poses of yoga such as hatha yoga are not performed in the right sequence then
they may result in gastric problems and may even cause nausea and discomfort in the stomach.
Metal instability is also one of the negative effects of practicing yoga excessively or not practicing it
correctly which may result in panic attacks, homicidal urges and suicidal patterns".( G M on August
25, 2011 at

Benefits Of Yoga And Meditation Essay
Would you spare 20 minutes of your day if it helped you sleep better, stay healthier, be more
focused, and work better? Then maybe it's time to get your yoga on!
Yoga and meditation may primarily be paths to inner contemplation and enlightenment, but they
have several physical and psychological benefits too. For those over 40, spending time on the mat
can rejuvenate the body and mind in several ways. Let's take a look at five of these.
#1 Yoga Helps You Sleep Better
Harvard Medical School researchers concluded during a recent study that a simple yoga practice can
reduce chronic insomnia problems. The study brought together a group of 20 chronic insomniacs,
and found that sleep efficiency, total sleep time and other sleep quality indicators ... Show more
content on Helpwriting.net ...
This also translated into improved performances in reading comprehension tests, which are part of
the Graduate Record Examination (G.R.E). The study found that average G.R.E. verbal scores rose
by 60 points, thanks to the course.
Where Do You Start?
If you aren't all that enthusiastic about twisting yourself into a pretzel, don't worry. Hatha yoga and
asanas aren't the last word on the yogic path. There are several online, guided meditations you could
begin with instead. Isha Kriya is a popular option, and takes about 12 minutes to complete. The
UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center has a list of guided meditations too, though they are
audio–only modules.
There are also a few general guidelines that will ensure you get the most out of your practice.
Wear Loose–fitting Clothes
Skip the skin–tights and figure–hugging stuff and choose something which gives your body room.
Tight clothes can be a distraction while you are meditating or practicing and could end up playing
spoilsport with the whole experience. Organic garments are generally recommended by most texts
on yoga, and are said to be more supportive for your practice than synthetic

Hinduism As A Family Of Beliefs
Dissimilar to Christianity, Hinduism is portrayed as a family of beliefs. "Hinduism unites the
worship of many gods with a belief in a single divine reality" (Molloy, 75). Hinduism can be
compared to that of the Ganga Ma, a significant river in the Indian culture. Comparing it with the
river saying that it flows and gains momentum. The Hindus have four very important life goals;
kama or pleasure, artha or economic security, dharma or social and religious duty, and moksha or
complete freedom. While Hinduism consist of more than one god, individuals tend to focus on a
particular god. Three gods are particularly central in the life of Hinduism. The three gods, Brahma,
Vishnu, and Shiva, represent creation, preservation, and destruction. (Molloy, 75). Brahma is the
god of creation. In today's world, he is the least worshipped god in India. There are only two
temples in all of India dedicated to him (Brahma). Brahma has a unique look, with four heads and
four arms. The second god, Vishnu, is the god of preservation. Thus far in creation, he has been said
to be incarnated nine times. Worshippers believe that he will incarnate one last time near the end of
the world. Similarly, to what Paul thought of Jesus, "Like any major god, Vishnu is involved in a
number of colorful stories which illustrate his virtues as the protector of cosmic order" (Vishnu).
Vishnu is uniquely depicted by having blue skin, and four arms. In his four hands, he holds objects
representing what he is dependable for. Shiva, the last god, is the god of destruction. In Hinduism,
destruction is considered necessary for new life forms to appear. Shiva is portrayed by his blue face
and white body, three eyes, and four arms. Christianity and Hinduism each have their own form of
practices and rituals. Christians have rituals that are called sacraments. There are seven sacraments
throughout life that a Christian can devote themselves to. Baptism is the ritual cleansing with water,
which is an ancient form of purification, which traditionally happens shortly after birth. Eucharist is
the next sacrament which represents Lord's Supper. The Eucharist represents the body and blood of
Jesus. Confirmation is the blessing of believers after baptism in the

Crystal Boschert's Journey With Yoga
Crystal Boschert began her exploration with yoga 8 years ago. Within no time she fell in love with
yoga, which led her wanting to learn more so, she could deepen her practice and to share her passion
of yoga and its many benefits with other's along with helping others to adventure into a more
holistic way of living. In 2014, she registered with The National Yoga Alliance as a Registered Yoga
Teacher (RYT 200) and began teaching after completing her first teacher training at Jane's House of
Well–Being in St. Charles, Missouri. She was trained to teach Hatha yoga, using the Dynamic Yoga
Method (DYM), under Robin Buck, Sarah Kadel, Matthew and Holly Krepps, and other masterful
teacher's.
Crystal's teaching style is non–judgmental and she always

Yoga Research Papers
Yoga
San Francisco State University
First thoughts that come into my head when I think about yoga are body flexibility, body
movements and relaxation. Though yoga is more than that, it has deeper connections to the mind–
body. Connecting with the mind–body is a great communication to have because knowing what our
bodies feel helps us figure out if we are tired, hungry, or hurting. Finding the connection between
the mind and body is one of the best breathtaking moments. This being said, there are plenty of
benefits that yoga has to offer. For example, yoga helps us with balancing a healthy lifestyle,
because we become aware of the outcomes from practicing yoga. ... Show more content on
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There are quite a few different yoga posses and each one has a benefit towards the mind–body
connection. As of 2011, 1,300 poses had been described and 200 had been video graphed
(Rockwood, Media, 2009). As a beginner it can be tough to perform some poses since there are
different ones with different names. Also, it may be challenging to do complete certain poses if we
are not familiar with how to precede a pose. For example, when I first tried yoga I had no clue what
was going on or how to remain in a certain position. Though not being familiar with the different
poses that were being practice during my first yoga class, helped me relax my body and tension that
I was holding on. In a way that I was able to listen to the teacher and just be mindful. Yoga poses
have been catalogued since before written history. Depictions of yoga poses were found engraved on
soapstone seals in the ruins of the cities of Mohenjo–Daro and Harappa, which flourished at least
5,000 years ago in the Indus River Valley (Rockwood, Media, 2009). Yoga poses have been around
for a while and they are being practice in today's life style. Seems to be famous since many people
from different ages are studying and practicing it. For example, college students may practice yoga
to help reduce stress since balancing schoolwork and personal life might cause stress. Yoga can be
practice at any age single women and

The Therapeutic Benefits Of Yoga And Mindfulness Meditation
The Therapeutic Benefits of Yoga and Mindfulness Meditation We live in a world today in which we
are continuously looking for the "new thing." With the speed of technological advances in our
society, individuals have become accustomed to reading up on the newest, most–innovative–to–date
jet plane, new shoes with new technology for speed and agility, and, of course, new iPhones coming
out twice a year with cool new applications. The common word here is 'new' and it is a simple
syllable that has the power to make any novel thing be perceived as appealing. As modern medicines
continue to develop, the public is also in demand for new–age therapies, and thus we have seen an
increase in attention being directed toward the use of holistic medicines. Naturalistic and holistic
methods are receiving positive criticisms leading to an increase in the attention it is being granted
them from multiple fields of study. Due to the positive effects often observed as a result of such
therapies, as well as their lack of negative side effects, therapies that exclude the use of chemical
medicines and focus on natural healing are gaining international popularity. With media's current
emphasis on physical fitness, society is showing in an increased interest in keeping up with the trend
– a constructive trend when compared to other subjects emphasized by the media. Furthermore,
there have been countless reports stating the benefits that physical activity has to, not only one's
physical state,

Hatha Yoga Argumentative Essay
Yoga: an archaic esoteric practice that has been shrouded in a mysterious umbrage for many ages.
Until recently, yoga has defined as "an ancient discipline designed to bring balance and health to the
physical, mental, and spiritual dimensions of an individual" (Ross 3). However, in today's age–
professional athletes, strongmen, runners, and bodybuilders define yoga as a performance booster as
they incorporate its teachings into their training regimens. Yoga practice emphasizes vigorous
flexibility, conditioning, and balance work; mainly through Hatha yoga and Vinyasa yoga. As a
result, factoring these aspects, it functions as an effective performance booster. Be that as it may,
opposition lies in the testament of the benefits that yoga provides. Provided that, opposers
emphasize the potential of injuries and time restraints associated within the practice of yoga.
Consequently, this essay will consider these arguments and brief upon them. Additionally, I will put
forward reasons for why yoga functions as an effective performance booster for athletes. ... Show
more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Hatha yoga places a heavy emphasis on aerobics–incorporating slow, deep, and rhythmical breaths
into its teachings. Due to this, runners use Hatha yoga to condition their aerobic capacity and
function without being enervated. Furthermore, "running is a high–impact exercise" as"it puts a
stress equal to eight times the body's weight on a person's feet" (Simon). As a result of this, over
time, this leads to the constricting and dissipation of the leg muscles and foot joints, reduced
flexibility, and reduced muscular strength. (Simon). On the other hand. Hatha Yoga has proven to
"improve flexibility as well as endurance of joints and muscles and preventing injuries" in addition
to helping with the "stamina required for strenuous runs" (Surya Namaskar). Being that, Hatha yoga
is used to effectively increase athletic performance for

Bms Conducts A Program For Yoga
Details about BMS program
BMS conducts a program for Yoga. Yoga is the activity to explain the procedure behind connecting
one's body, brain and respiration. The variation in brain is known as Vritti and beat of respiration is
known as Pranayama. It just connects brain and human body. BMS International School of Yoga has
been providing Yoga classes to community and visitors since the year 2008. This school got
registration from Yoga Alliance. This program is designed to make learners to learn about the
opportunities to incorporate human body, thoughts and soul.
Their classes highlight triputi, a conjunction between human body, thoughts and respiration.
Exercising asanas, pranayama and meditation motivates people to feel about need of existence,
peacefulness and satisfaction. Whole asana classes at BMS Yoga International highlight safe
posturing, mindfulness and awareness in breathing. They just present collection of Yoga patterns and
professional staff to fit personal needs and life style. Students will come to know about
peacefulness, strength, flexibility and concentration. Postures, pranayama and meditation methods
will be taught by certified Yoga instructors and teachers. The healing benefit of yoga is also a part of
this program. Under their program, people will find a chance to form a new relationship. They teach
program under which every muscle will have an activity.
Workshop Of BMI:
BMI presents a workshop to people to explain its theme and aim. Under this

Safe Yoga Research Paper
Safe yoga is characterized by the following:
–Secure (Environment, teacher, student)
–Awareness (to fine detail, form, poses, quantities)
–Functional (offers modifications, choices, mindful of exercise research)
–Effective (provides flexibility, power, ease of use, balance)
Yoga is much more popular than ever. How come? Yoga supplies a total workout which enhances
power, cardio condition, stability and versatility. In addition, it enhances one's body consciousness,
raises physical command and facilitates body mastery. Because it involves a highly comprehensive
and integrated technique, yoga creates a longer, leaner and more graceful physique – also currently
in vogue. Yoga likewise helps reduce stress, stress plus exhaustion by means of ... Show more
Just as we do not stretch prior to exercise, we do not want to get into complex yoga poses before our
body is warm and prepared to be there. Each class must start with a minimum of 5 minutes of yoga
breathing. This helps to clear the mind and prepare your body. The breath of air is actually the single
most important part of our yoga exercise training. By inhaling out and in of the nose we maintain
the heat in your body and focus the thoughts. Deep rhythmic breathing is the solid foundation upon
which we build our own Yoga Practice. Instructors must constantly go back to breath concentration
and need to constantly remind students to do the

The Positive Effects Of Dance-Movement Therapy And Depression
Dance–movement therapy can be beneficial to those who participate in it as there are many different
physical, emotional, mental advantages. In an experiment conducted by Mehibe Akandere and Banu
Demir, it was found that dance–movement therapy, which is many times referred to as simply
"dance," has a positive impact on the mental maturation of youth enduring depression at a low
degree. This is important because many teens in today's world suffer or have suffered from some
type of depression. The authors of this article published this article in 2011, and claim that dance
dispassionately helps the advancements which support medical objectives, influences delight to
appear without anyone else's input, and increase the correspondence, giving an escape approach to
nervousness and anger. Dance–movement therapy is comprised of music and physical activities;
therefore, it appeals to those who have interest in music as well. Dance is considered a drugless
treatment to depression that is not at a high level, the authors say. Clearly, there is more to dance
than just what meets the eye. Furthermore, the authors even recommend dance to young people that
struggle with depression, if it is not very severe. Dance can have a major positive effect on
depression as well.
Dance is not limited to resolving depression, however. According to Anna E. Olvera, dance can be
an outlet for emotional articulation, stress decrease, and creativity. Olvera conducted a literature
review to provide evidence for why dance is a good form of exercise, and claims that dancing is a
much better and more beneficial form of physical activity for numerous adolescent girls, as opposed
to sports. Cultural dance is a non–customary physical activity that also has a positive effect on group
well–being, identified with both physical and mental health. Furthermore, according to the National
Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, aerobic activity is physical activity that "moves your large muscles,
such as those in your arms and legs." dance is also a form aerobic activity. Overall, dance is an
excellent option of physical activity for those who are generally not physically active, or are not
interested in typical sports or aerobic activity, such as running or

Hatha Yoga
Cardiovascular disease is a global burden and by changing risk factors such as increasing physical
activity and reducing stress by relaxation can lower the incidence of the disease (Hartley, Dyakova,
Holmes, Clarke, Lee, Ernst, & Rees, 2014) The study had 800 participants with high risk factors of
the cardiovascular disease and were recruited to 11 study trials. After eight months of this ongoing
study, Hartley and Colleagues (2014) found that any form of yoga showed reduction in the systolic
and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, and an increase in high–density lipoprotein. Since
patients with the cardiovascular disease are unable to perform rigorous exercises, yoga was
concluded to be an ideal choice for them. Participants, who ... Show more content on
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Patients with the cardiovascular disease tend to have a weak heart muscle. Wahlstrom and
Colleagues (2017) explored the paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) in patients with the
cardiovascular disease. Generally, atrial fibrillation is provoked by stress and anxiety. They found
that yoga practiced by their 80 participants for 12 weeks showed an improvement in the heart rate,
decreasing the progression of arrhythmia and the remodeling of atria. By performing yoga regularly,
these participants were able to maintain their stress level low by activating the parasympathetic
system. After 12 weeks post study, the patients who performed yoga afterwards were found to have
24% decrease conducting atrial fibrillation than those who did not do yoga on regular basis. Their
conduction of atrial fibrillation was only six percent. Yoga practice was shown to decrease blood
pressure, improve endothelial function, and reduce inflammation (Lakkireddy, 2013).
Another study by Jones and Colleagues (2016) concluded in their studies that the 12 weeks of 90
minutes yoga practice done by postmenopausal women increased the heart rate variability. Since
women during the phase of menopause have increased heart rate, by performing yoga, the
parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) dominance caused an increase in the heart rate variability.
The second half of the group performed regular 90–minutes exercise and it was found to be
unbeneficial.

Reflective Essay On Yoga
What is yoga to you? Most people would say it's a form of exercise, or maybe some would say it
will improve your flexibility. Well to Natalie Bell it's so much more than that. Natalie sees yoga as a
way of life, as a form of spirituality and becoming one with the body and mind, and of course it
keeps her flexible and in shape as well. I met Natalie through my mother she is her friend and yoga
instructor and a very interesting person who I wanted to learn more about. I was curious what would
interest someone in a life dedicated to yoga, and how exactly one becomes a yogi or master of yoga
and gets into teaching it. I learned that Natalie took a 500 hour course in the Yoga Teacher Training
program at the Therapeutic Approach Yoga Studio located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Here she learned
the skills to be able to instruct a class and mastered a form of yoga called Hatha Vinyasa. I learned
interestingly enough that there is not one type of yoga but actually around 20 different kinds of yoga
you can learn. However I really wanted to learn why she'd be so interested in this and I found out
that she is an avid traveller and during a trip to India when she was younger she met yogi's and lots
of hindu people and learned a little bit about that culture and it really interested her. So, when she
returned home to Nova Scotia she started doing yoga on her own and ended up eventually pursuing
the 500 hour yoga teacher course and completing it, Natalie is also a second degree black belt in

What Is My Life Reflection Essay
During the 16 weeks that I've participated in this yoga class, I've learned the importance of belly
breathing and meditating. I decided to take this course this semester, because my psychiatrist
actually suggested I take yoga as a way of coping with my stress and anxiety. I initially did not think
that it would work, but we–my psychiatrist and I–noticed my stress and anxiety slowing
diminishing. This semester I took Chemistry 32A, Human Anatomy, and Hatha Yoga, while playing
for the school's women's basketball team. I feel that me playing basketball bought structure to my
life, because it made me organize my priorities. When we traveled, our coach enforced study hall
and I was given time to study and do homework. One stressor I have from playing on the school
team is that I'm the team captain and I'm expected from coach to lead. It can be stressful leading a
group of girls who don't respect my opinion or voice. However, it's even more stressful when my
coaches press me to be a better leader when it's not entirely my fault. I also work at Olive Garden as
a server. The stressors of working as a server is the high expectations my managers have for us. One
of the expectations is that our server score be 100% every time we work. But it's difficult to get a
perfect score, because it is rated out of 5 and anything below a 5 is actually considered a 0. It's
common that not everyone receives a perfect score every time they work, but it's not easy having a
higher up yell at you when

US Military Veterans: A Randomized Controlled Longitudinal...
Breathing–Based Meditation Decreases Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in U.S. Military
Veterans: A Randomized Controlled Longitudinal Study
Beverly Hinderliter
A growing body of evidence suggests meditation–based interventions have the potential to reduce
symptoms and improve well–being (Marchand, 2013 for review; Mitchell et al., 2014). The Stanford
University study entitled Breathing–Based Meditation Decreased Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms in U.S. Military Veterans: A Randomized Controlled Longitudinal Study explores the
effects of Sudarshan Kriya yoga, a meditation–based therapy, on U.S. military veterans with PTSD
symptoms having served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"We selected Sudarshan Kriya yoga because it has ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
These criteria account for the controlled nature of the study.
A total of twenty–one people were selected. An effective computer–generated randomization list
was then used for the intake process to assign qualifying participants to each group: the control
group and the group doing Sudarshan Kriya yoga, observed over seven days. Varying factors among
groups, such as combat exposure, age, education, and ethnicity were similar and seemingly even
spread throughout.
The sample of veterans is adequate in the sense that it is random and controlled, so there is a variety
of real–life PTSD veterans from the field with different experiences and matching criteria being
studied. Ideally, there'd be more than twenty–one participants in order to have a better representation
of the veteran population but it was probably difficult to retrieve without effecting the quality of the
study. The sample is also adequate because all controlled eligibility factors were proven during the
screening process (substance use, age, etc.).
The results showed that there is a relationship between time spent doing breathing–based meditation
and decrease in PTSD symptoms, but this doesn't account for all other factors that could effect
lowered PTSD symptoms during the study or how the men experienced the yoga. Therefore, this is a
correlational study, not a causal experiment. It can probably be assumed that this therapy helps a
variety of male veterans decrease their PTSD symptoms, but does not

Essay about Medicinal Value of Yoga
Medicinal Value of Yoga
What most Westerners picture when you say Yoga, is an Indian guru in cloth shorts or a long
flowing robe, twisted up in a some sort of a pretzel pose. You may picture the Yoga practitioner in
peak physical shape, as well as, being a very peaceful human being. It is attaining this goal that is
the aim of Yoga, but what most of people don't realize, is exactly how much goes into achieving this
state. Yoga time honored teaching on how to achieve physical health, psychological well being and
spiritual peace. This can be achieved by concentrating for hours in a state of complete focus, know
as meditation. While mediating, the practitioner assumes various body positions known as asanas,
that allows for maximum ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Yoga exercises (physical, mental or spiritual) based on eastern metaphysical assumptions designed
to aid in enlightenment or self–realization. Goals sometimes include Altered States of consciousness
or uniting the practitioner with the impersonal pantheistic God. Yoga philosophy is based on the
concept of Reincarnation, the Upanishads and other Hindu scripture. In this essay I would like to
briefly explore the primary branches of Yoga: Karma, Bhakti, Juana, and Raja Yoga and point out
their advantages and pitfalls as well as point out the value of their practice as it pertains to keep the
body healthy and free from disease. ): Yoga can be experienced on many different levels for
example: as a way to relax after a long stressful day; or a more physically demanding focus on
strengthening and invigorating the body; as a more therapeutic practice for a particular physical
difficulty or ailment; or as a path to spiritual enlightenment to reach a higher state of consciousness
and a "union" with the Divine.
Medicinal Value of Yoga
In India, yoga has been practiced for thousands of years, and for the past 80 years, western scientists
have studied its use as a therapy in various disorders. A session of yoga lasts about 20 minutes and
includes a secession of postures progressing from simple to complex with simultaneous, structured,
deep breathing. Yoga enables a person to control many physiological aspects including metabolic
rate and

Integrating Yoga Research Paper
What Is Yoga.
Yoga, according to a study by, Jones, is a "4,000–year–old practice" that incorporates spirituality,
breathing methods, and meditation that cultivates techniques to decrease stress factors in order to
obtain a state of relaxation through emphasizes on the "body, mind and the breath" (2016).
According to, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, approximately 9.5%
of U.S. adults (21 million)" have incorporated the used of yoga, whose origins have been rooted in
the early history of "Indian philosophy" (2015).
The main purpose of integrating yoga is to gain control over the mind and the body. Today, many
people use yoga as a way to improve life quality and the overall wellness in many aspects that
includes

Summative Annotated Bibliography
Summative Annotated Bibliography
Hariprasad, V. "Yoga Increases the Volume of the Hippocampus in Elderly Subjects." Indian Journal
of Psychiatry, vol. 55, July 2013. This study is similar to the first two studies, except it focuses on
the elderly and goes beyond stress reduction. This journal shows that yoga can alter the structure of
the brain in some cases. It does not just merely change hormone levels. Yoga is able to increase the
size of the brain in the elderly. For several decades, scientist believe brain damage to be quite
permanent. The brain usually can rewire itself to function more efficiently. However, very rarely has
it essentially grown back.
Muralidoraiswamy, P. "Yoga on Our Minds: A Systematic Review of Yoga for Neuropsychiatric
Disorder." Shirleytelle Frontiers in Psychiatry, Jan. 2013. This article focuses on the physiological
aspect of a yoga class. It essentially explains what happens in a person's brain after going through a
hatha yoga class. This study also talks about yoga as a long–term mental health solution, since
typically yoga is a life–style. Overall, the study provides a scientific look at more personal
experiences.
Poulose, Shibu M, et al. "Role of Walnuts in Maintaining Brain Health with Age." The Journal of
Nutrition, vol. 144, pp. 561S–566S, Apr. 2014. While this ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net
...
The Effectiveness of Mindfulness–Based Interventions on Maternal Perinatal Mental Health
Outcomes." Mindfulness, Jan. 2017. This review focuses on an aspect of yoga that the other sources
do not. This article focuses on the benefits of consciousness on mental health. Consciousness is a
large part of what separates yoga from other forms of exercise. It is critical to study this aspect, as it
is what makes yoga special. This reviewed showed that practicing consciousness in any form,
including conscious yoga, can have a multitude of positive effects on the mind. Consciousness
practice was able to somewhat regulate the mood changes associated with

My Yoga Journey
This is not a book about how to practise yoga postures but rather an approach as to how to include a
search for consciousness in every aspect of yoga. Our yoga journey is the tool for understanding.
My yoga journey started more than ten years ago with an intense and dedicated interest in learning
yoga postures from Ashtanga, Hatha, Jivamukti, etc. In the beginning I practised most days of the
week and imagined that I would never tire, in spite of long trips to the studio in the early hours of
the morning. A pleasant reward was that my blood pressure dropped back to normal and I could stop
taking medicines. So, from the start, I knew that yoga could provide health benefits as well as an
enormous feeling of wellbeing. No matter how tired and fed–up one felt at the beginning of a
session, the mental lift afterwards was deeply satisfying. Meditation, Savasana, or corpse posture,
wound up every session so it also became clear that postures or asanas were only part of the remedy.
Meditation and yoga practise from the very beginning fired my interest in searching for an inner
consciousness. This is an easily misunderstood word and means many different things to many
different people. Some will associate it with awareness, or mindfulness ... Show more content on
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In the early days when Indian philosophy was first introduced to our western way of thought many
famous people were attracted to these ideas. For example, Somerset Maugham, Christopher
Isherwood, Aldous Huxley, Dr Albert Schweitzer and many more. The famous Sanskrit expression
from the Upanisad "Tat twam asi" meaning That Thou Art Thyself (That man must see himself in all
beings and see all beings in himself) has provided an introduction for many people to the study of
yoga and

Four Yoga Styles
You might be surprised to learn that there isn't one style of yoga practice so you'll need to learn
some more about the different styles in order to decide which one is right for you. In this article
we'll take a closer look at four practice styles: hatha yoga, vinyasa, ashtanga and power yoga to help
you on the way to your decision.
1. Hatha yoga
Hatha yoga is often used interchangeably with the word yoga and classes are usually slow–paced
involving stretching, some simple breathing exercises and some seated meditations. If you are a
beginner then this is a good place to start so that you can spend time learning the basic techniques.
If you are looking for a calming and relaxing experience then hatha yoga is probably right for you.
If you'd prefer something more energetic then you should consider ... Show more content on
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The speed of the movements is very much dictated by the teacher, so if you find that a class is too
fast for you look for a different teacher. In order to appreciate vinyasa you need to have a teacher
that you are comfortable with as their style will shape the class, keep looking until you find someone
you connect with.
3. Ashtanga
Ashtanga is a series of poses which realign the spine, detoxify the body and build strength, stamina
and flexibility. There are 75 poses in all and they can take anywhere between an hour and a half to
two hours to complete. You start with sun salutations and then move to standing poses, seated poses,
inversions and backbends before finishing with relaxation.
You can learn ashtanga at a teacher–led class, and then when you are happy with the order of the
poses you can either practice on your own or in a mysore class where you practice at your own pace
but have a teacher for guidance.
Ashtanga is a very athletic form of practice and is very popular. If you like a sense of order then this
style will appeal to

Similarities Of Pirates And Yoga
Pilates and yoga are both very important exercises that can help benefit people physically and
mentally. Both practices allow people to build up muscle endurance and it can also rehabilitate
people. Both practices also have positive effects on one's mental health, improving overall life
satisfaction. Exploring the history, health benefits, and injuries of Pilates and yoga has helped me
make my decision on whether I keep it as a part of my fitness regimen.
Yoga has a complex history, because it is based on a belief system, that each yogi will interpret
differently. The origins of yoga date back to as early as 2500 BCE, where a simple figurine was
found. The artifact was Shiva, the destroyer of the world, in a yoga pose. Yoga means "union" in
Sanskrit, ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
This notion is shown in prana, which is a breathing exercise that is supposed to invigorate life
energy. The classical Indian civilization period is said to be the most important in the development
of the yoga tradition. This period was characterized by Buddhist yoga and Jainism. They both focus
on enlightenment and they use yoga to help achieve that higher understanding. The Tantra
movement focused upon personal experiences and rejected the Upanishad authority and the
movements from the classical period. Tantric traditions focus on a feminine divine (Shakti) and its
two main focuses were bhoga (enjoyment) and mukti (liberation) (Connolly). During the modern
period, Hatha yoga flourished. Hatha means the union of eternal sun and moon, and it focuses on six
purifications. These practices are dhauti, basti, neti, traktaka, nauli, and kapalabhati. These practices
were meant to cleanse the body and make one immune to illness and old age(Singleton). The history
of Pilates is traced back to World War I and Joseph

The Origins and History of Yoga
The origins of yoga date back to India over 5,000 years ago. The Vedas, holy writings that are the
foundation for Hinduism, possess ancient yoga teachings known as Vedic Yoga. Individuals became
reliant on Vedic yoga to live their life in divine harmony.
The period of Pre–classical Yoga coincides with the development of the Upanishads. The
Upanishads fortified the writings of the Vedas, therefore strengthening the practice of yoga. The
history of yoga has been widely associated with not only Hinduism but Buddhism as well. Siddharta
Gautama, the enlightened one, founder of Buddhism understood the benefits that yoga provided for
meditation. The goal of Buddhism is to find inner peace, which yoga assisted in. In other regions,
the ruins of the immense cities of Mohenjo Daro and Harappa, depictions have been found engraved
on soapstone seals that strongly resemble figures of yoga poses. Bhavagad–Gita, is the earliest
known yoga scripture dated back to around 500 B.C. The Gita is dedicated entirely to yoga, its main
aim is that –– "to be alive means to be active and in order to avoid difficulties in our lives and in
others, our actions have to benign and have to exceed our egos." Its connection to the Upanishads is
paralleled to the relationship between the Vedas and Upanishads, strengthening each other's
meaning. The classical period marks the establishment of the Yoga Sutra. Written by Patanjali,
around the second century, with the purpose to clarify and standardize

Comparing Hinduism And Hinduism
Post–Jesus's death Paul created a mission preaching the teaching of Christianity. The acts of Paul
spread the belief of Jesus to Jerusalem and Israel. After three years of studying Jesus's life, he
realized that his life was all a deific plan. Paul also realized that, "Jesus was a cosmic figure who
entered the world in order to renew it" (Molloy, 344). Paul arranged his focus to be more of the
meaning of Jesus and what he calls the cosmic Christ. Dissimilar to Christianity, Hinduism is
portrayed as a family of beliefs. "Hinduism unites the worship of many gods with a belief in a single
divine reality" (Molloy, 75). Hinduism can be compared to that of the Ganga Ma, a significant river
in the Indian culture. Comparing it with the river saying that it flows and gains momentum. The
Hindus have four very important life goals; kama or pleasure, artha or economic security, dharma or
social and religious duty, and moksha or complete freedom. While Hinduism consist of more than
one god, individuals tend to focus on a particular god. Three gods are particularly central in the life
of Hinduism. The three gods, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, represent creation, preservation, and
destruction. (Molloy, 75). Brahma is the god of creation. In today's world, he is the least worshipped
god in India. There are only two temples in all of India dedicated to him (Brahma). Brahma has a
unique look, with four heads and four arms. The second god, Vishnu, is the god of preservation.
Thus far in

Why Do Gymnasts Need Yoga?
Do gymnasts and dancers need yoga?
Yoga improves the flexibility of the body by improving the range of motion. There are various types
of yoga, each having its own focus area. E.g. Hatha yoga has proved to positively increase the
muscle movement i.e. the flexibility. Yin yoga helps to move the flexibility from muscle tissue to
connective tissue which is very beneficial.
We can say that yoga and dance are somewhat similar– both include movements as well as poses or
postures. The difference is that yoga focuses on the physical as well as the mental aspect whereas
dance stresses only on the external aspect. We can say that a dancer may look good but a yogi may
feel good.
Hence, regular dance practice may improve the flexibility of the body externally but, to achieve a
complete development of flexibility dancers should opt for yoga exercises. Adding yoga exercises to
regular dance practice has been found to increase ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Now slowly raise both your hands upwards, fingers pointing towards the sky. Now slowly raise your
heels as much as you can and stand on your toes. Repeat 3–4 times.
Trikonasana – Stand straight with your legs apart. Now slowly raise both your hands on each side so
that they are parallel to the shoulder. Bend towards the right side such that the index finger of your
right hand touches the right toe. Simultaneously, your left hand should go upwards. Return to
normal position and repeat with the other side.
Similarly one can try poses like Bhujangasana, Shirshasana, Sarvangasana to gain flexibility,
strength and power in your

Disadvantages Of Hatha Yoga
The term Hatha [ˈha–ta] originates from the Sanskrit word hatha. When broken into two syllables,
ha (sun) and tha (moon) refers to physical yoga. The 'ha' refers to the hot energy of sun while the
'tha' refers to the cooling energy of the moon (Iyengar, 2012; Hutton, 2014). In Hatha yoga,
Desikachar suggests that nadi are located throughout the body. Prana, also referred to as infinite
energy, flows within these nadi or channels. Desikachar suggests that three nadi spiral around the
spinal column. The ida nadi moves through the left nostril and pingala nadi enters the right nostril.
Desikachar also states that the nadi meet at six points in the body referred to as chakras. Running
along the vertical line of the spine, one chakra is located at the center of the eyebrows. The second
chakra is at the throat and the third is at the center of the chest and just above the heart. The fourth
chakra is present at the navel and the fifth at the base of the trunk. The last chakra originates at the
base of the spine. Prana flows between these channels and may only do so when not blocked. Hatha
Yoga derives its name from the practice in which the yogi works to unblock these channels so ...
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It will reach up to the heart, touching the throat. This is one of the eight types of pranayamas,
described by Svatmarama, the author of Hathapradipika ( II:51–53). The chief characteristic of this
pranayama is the audible hissing sound produced due to the partial closure of the glottis, during
puraka as well as rechaka. The mode of breathing in ujjayi is slow and smooth. This is a
tranquilizing pranayama. It also has a heating effect on the body. In this pranayama it is to be
imagined that the breath is being drawn in and out through the throat. There is a snoring sound
which is audible to the practitioner only (Saraswati, p. 402,403) (Yoga for Voice Improvement,

Informative Speech on Yoga Essay
Informative Speech
By:Amber Samworth
Topic: Yoga
General Purpose: To Inform.
Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about yoga.
Thesis Statement: I want my audience to be informed about what yoga is, its history, and why it has
become so popular in recent years.
Introduction
I. (Open w/impact) According to Ann Pizer, a Yoga Alliance Certified Instructor, in an article last
accessed on September 18th 2007, for Yoga.About.Com. "Yoga means "union" in Sanskrit, the
language of Ancient India where yoga first originated. We can think of that union occurring between
the mind, body, and spirit." II. (Introduce topic) As you can see, yoga is an incredibly healthy
practice. III. (Establish credibility) I have just recently ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
By the third period, the "Classical Period", yoga becomes more structured. a. In the 2nd Century,
Patan Jali attempts to define yoga in his "Yoga Sutra" which is an eightfold path of yoga. 4. The
fourth and final period is referred to as the Post Classical period, which extends into present day. a.
Yoga was first introduced to the west in the late 1800s as an eastern philosophy class that most
universities offered. b. Guru Swami Sivananda, a noted Malaysian Physician, modified Patan Jali's 8
principles into just 5 that are still used today.
Transition: It is believed that if you combine all five principles, you will be in tune physically,
mentally, and spiritually. Now you can see why yoga has become so popular in our society.
III. Many of the reasons why it has become so popular is because yoga is extremely beneficial to the
body A. In an article on www.stress.about.com titled "The Benefits of Yoga for Stress
Management", last accessed on September 20th 2007; Elizabeth Scott M.S. says that the following
ailments can be benefited by yoga. 1. Stress management. 2. Sound sleep. 3. Allergy symptom relief.
4. Lower blood pressure and heart rate. 5. Spiritual growth. 6. Sense of well being. 7. Increased
strength and flexibility. 8. Slowed aging process, and these are just to name a few. B. Julie
Stachowiak PhD

Greek Yoga Research Paper
Yoga has been around for a very long period of time. It has been around for so long that no one is
certain of when Yoga began exactly. Yoga is said to have been originated in India about more than
5,000 years ago. Yoga is taught regularly in many countries other than than the United States. It was
brought to America from India by Swami Vivekananda in 1893. The history of Yoga is divided into
four broad categories: Vedic Yoga, Pre–Classical Yoga, Classical Yoga, and Post–Classical Yoga.
Vedic Yoga can also be called Archaic Yoga. This category of Yoga was intimately connected with
the ritual life of the ancient Indians. It revolved around the idea of sacrifice as a means of joining the
material world with the invisible world of the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
It comes in various appearances and forms. The earliest displays were still closely related to those of
the Vedic sacrificial culture. Pre–Classical Yoga also consists of the many schools whose teachings
can be found in India's two great national epics. These various schools developed different kinds of
techniques for attaining deep meditation through which students can transcend the body and mind to
discover their true nature. Classical Yoga applies to the eightfold Yoga, which is also known as
Râja–Yoga, taught by Patanjali in his Yoga–Sûtra. The world sûtra means "thread." Patanjali
believed that each and every individual was made up of matter and spirit. By understanding the
process of Yoga and its bringing about their separation, he helped restore the spirit in its absolute
purity. Post–Classical Yoga is in contrast to Classical Yoga in the way that it declares the ultimate
unity of everything. A few centuries after Patanjali, Yoga took an interesting turn during its
evolution. Great masters were beginning to look into the hidden potential of the body. Past
generations of students didn't pay much attention to the body and its capabilities. They were far
more interested in the religious meditation to the point where they were exiting the body
consciously. Their goal was to leave the world behind and become one with the

The Baghavad Gita, Yoga Sutras Of Patanjai, And The Hatha
The Baghavad Gita, Yoga Sutras of Patanjai, and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika are all considered to be
revolutionary texts. Their teachings depart from earlier traditions and propose many approaches to
enlightenment. Through their definition of yoga or their philosophical goals, each contain some
similarities as well as aspects that make each of them unique.
The epic text of the Bhagavad Gita defines yoga as the skill of union with the ultimate reality or the
absolute. The work comes to us in the form of dialogue between Lord Sri Krishna and the princely
warrior Arjuna, which occurs just before the onset of the devastating Mahabharata war. The Yoga
Sutras by Patanjali also define yoga as a union of the parts of ourselves, and sutra means ... Show
more content on Helpwriting.net ...
This first step is that the student is ready to listen. Then the student ruminates on what the guru says.
Then finally the student gets meaning from the gurus teachings based on his concentration and
meditation on it. Upanishad means "to sit near" which represents the relationship between the guru
and the student. In the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the system was first associated with the Nath Yogis,
but also connected to other yogis lineages of the time. The Naths recruited without the regard to
caste or religion and took many muslims, sufi fakirs and dasnamyi into their fold. Here, yoga is
meant for the good of all creatures, and a true Yogi was always desirous of benefitting as many men
as possible He will find a true and earnest student who will not trifle with this knowledge. Each of
these texts represent the importance of Upanishadic learning. The dialogue of the Gita goes through
a series of concepts such as the body/soul distinction, the principle of nonattached action, the virtues
of discipline (yoga) and meditation. Jhana yoga is the first stage where a person acquires the
knowledge of the inner self through study and contemplation and becomes aware of the importance
of realizing his true self and achieving salvation. After acquiring knowledge, he turns to karma yoga
to discharge his responsibilities towards himself. The

The Origins Of Yoga And The Second School Being Hatha Yoga
In 1893, a man by the name of Vivekananda came to speak at the Parliament of Religions in
Chicago. He captivated his audience with the exotic Indian practice of Yoga. His message permeated
throughout the United States while capturing the minds of brilliant Americans such as Gertrude
Stein. Vivekananda as well as the Doctrine of Yoga were a sensation, but what has become of the
mystical practice known as yoga. In this paper I will discuss the origins of yoga in the West, various
schools of thought associated with yoga and with a focus on two in particular: the first being Raja
yoga (royal yoga) and the second school being Hatha yoga. Dr. John Renard illustrates the relation
between these to schools concisely and effectively in The Handy ... Show more content on
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The young monk made a profound impression on the people who attended the speech. His speech
left people spellbound and enchanted. He was able to simplify Vedanta thought in such way that it
was more digestible for westerners and more importantly he conveyed the idea that all souls were
inherently divine. His mantra was relatable to American, "work and worship." Vivekananda became
a star overnight. He proceeded to tour the country to further the doctrine of yoga across the nation.
Yet the yoga we see across our country is very different from the yogic tradition Vivekananda was
teaching. In fact Vivekananda had an absolute lack of interest in the physical aspect of yoga we see
today in our society. His goal in America was to help Americans realize God. He was considered the
first missionary from the east to the west and it was his goal to help Americans rid themselves of
this American individualism. He wanted to rise above the western perception of the east being this
exotic and magical place and to deliver truth to people. He felt very strongly about his
proselytization. He was quoted saying, "I have a message to the West as Buddha had a message to
the East." That being said Vivekananda was a man of this world. He had reportedly been seen
smoking and eating meat, so this man was far from perfect. Yet nevertheless this man had quite the
following. In fact Leo Tolstoy was very

Yoga's Spiritual Path Means to Join Essay
The yogas are active spiritual paths, a way for people to achieve illumination by the Divine Spark
within us all. The word yoga literally means "union" and is related to the English words "join" and
"yoke". Through yoga, we "unwrap" the Divinity within, thereby allowing our true spiritual natures
to shine forth ever brighter. There are numerous types of yoga; here is a short explanation of some of
the main ones:
Jnana yoga is the yoga of wisdom and true knowledge.To know Brahman as one's individual Self is
Jnana. It looks into the reality about who we are and what we are experiencing and the complete
comprehension of this reality carries enlightenment. According to Shankara (c.788–820), everything
is fundamentally one divine reality, and ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Refers to a set of physical exercises, that contain stretching and balancing, designed to align your
skin, muscles, and bones. The postures are also designed to open the various channels of the body,
especially the primary channel, the spine, so that energy can circulate freely.
The main Hindu beliefs are Brahman, Atman, Maya, Karma, Dharma, and Moksha. These primary
concepts are still taught today.
The word Brahman means divine reality at the center of things. Brahman itself constitutes the basic
building material of all reality, the font of all things. It is the long–lasting experience that all things
are in some way holy because they originate from the same sacred fount. It is also the experience
that all things are basically one. It says that every seemingly individual reality in the world is, in
reality, a wave of the same sacred ocean of energy. There's three words that help define its nature:
Brahman is Sat, reality itself; Chit, pure consciousness; and Ananda, bliss.
Atman is sometimes translated as "self", "soul", or "deepest self". Each individual has a soul and the
soul presents its own uniqueness and personality. At the deepest level of what you are, there is a
divine reality, a divine spirit, that everything shares. The Atman is equal with Brahman, it refers to
the experience of the sacred within oneself. It could be said that in this world, a spiritual being, the
Atman, has a human experience instead of a human being having a

The Pre-Classical Er Hatha Yoga
Yoga emerged over five thousand years ago, known as the pre classical era, and is believed to be
developed by the Indus– Sarasvati civilization in Northern India; although some researchers believe
Yoga is over ten thousand years old. The old sacred text, Rig Verda, is the oldest scripture that yoga
has been found in. The Upanishads took the idea of ritual sacrifice from the Verdas, however they
internalized it; this meaning to sacrifice the ego through self knowledge. In the post classical era
yoga masters abandoned the ancient Verdas and embraced a new style that involved cleansing the
mind and body; breaking the bond of our physical existence. This type of yoga is primarily thought
of as Hatha Yoga. Hatha Yoga has been proven to help not ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net
...
A study at Bell State University found that doing Hatha yoga for fifteen weeks could increase the
amount of air exhaled after taking a deep breath. Research at the University of Pennsylvania found
that people who did yoga had a greater drop in blood pressure compared to those who had not done
yoga. A 2011 Diabetes Care study reported that three months of yoga along with diabetes care
resulted in a decrease of BMI and no increase of blood sugar levels. A type of Hatha yoga is called
Iyengar yoga, this type focuses more on proper alignment and the use of props. A German study
showed that doing Iyengar yoga for four weeks is effective in reducing the pain intensity in adults
who suffer from chronic neck pain. At western Virginia University researchers found that using this
type of yoga can also relieve chronic back pain. This type of yoga has also been proven to improve
balance by Temple University in 2008. In a 2009 Harvard study showed that women who did yoga
had a boost in arousal, desire, orgasms, and a general sexual

Benefits Of Yoga
YOGA
As a practioner of yoga for nearly 20 years , I have come to see, feel and reap the benefits of this
practice, not only on a physical level but on a physiological and spiritual level too.
Yoga is a way of life, an intergrated system of education for the body, mind and inner spirit.This art
of right living was perfected and practised in India thousands of years ago but, since yoga deals with
universal truths, its teachings are as valid today as they were in ancient times. Yoga is a practical aid,
not a religion. Yoga is union with all.
WHAT IS YOGA ?
The word Yoga comes from the sanskrit root word 'yuj' which literally means 'yoking,' in the sense
of the coming together of a harmonious relationship between our seperate aspects. Different aspects
of our perception make yoga either exoteric or esoteric. The yoga teachings regarding bringing the
body, mind and emotions into harmony, such as Hatha Yoga, are exoteric. Those teachings focused
upon the outer self in harmony with the Inner Self, such as Classical Yoga, are esoteric. In exoteric–
based Hatha Yoga, the practices focus on developing health to optimal physiological and
psychological levels. In esoteric–based Classical Yoga, ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
The word yoga was first mentioned in the oldest sacred texts, the ' Rig Veda'. The vedas were a
collection of texts containing songs, mantras and rituals to be used by Brahmans, the vedic priests.
Yoga was slowly refined and developed by the Brahmans and Rishis (mystic seers) who
documented their practices and beliefs in the 'Upanishads', a huge work containing over 200
scriptures. The most renowned of the yoga scriptures is the 'Bhagavad–Gita', composed around 500
B.C. The 'Upanishads' took the idea of ritual sacrifice from the vedas and internalized it, teaching
the sacrifice of the ego through self–knowledge, action (Karma Yoga) and wisdom (Jnana

Is Yoga A Metaphysical Practice?
"Derived from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning to yoke, join or attach, 'yoga' can most broadly be
thought of as any practice aimed at helping facilitate a union between the limited self and the
Divine, or Ultimate Being" (Heerman, 6). For thousands of years the practice of yoga has been used
to connect one's mind, body and soul. We as humans live in a time where it is easy to become
detached to our bodies, minds, and spirituality to the world around us. Yoga is a metaphysical
practice this is infamous for connecting people to the unexplainable and magical side to life.
Realization is a major component to yoga in the sense that people are always looking for self–worth,
happiness, inner peace and acceptance. With yoga's abilities to connect one thing to another, it is
valuable to realize that everything humans need for fulfillment comes from within. We are caught up
in unimportant matters rather than being in action and aware. It is hard for us to imagine a
circumstance of complete calmness and repose in which thoughts and feelings cease to dance in
eternal motion. Yet it is through such tranquil circumstance that it is impossible to achieve a level of
enlightenment. "Tranquility of thought comes through the cultivation of friendship, compassion, joy,
and impartiality in spheres of pleasure or pain, virtue or vice" (Miller, 38). Yoga is a simple process
of reversing the ordinary outward flow of energy and consciousness, but it requires Meditation in
order to practice. In this

Reflection Of Experience Reflection Paper
Reflection of Experience
Day 1
In order to test the psychological and physiological benefits of utilizing yoga as a stress
management technique, I decided to start doing hatha yoga on a daily basis. Hatha yoga is an
alternative style of yoga than emphasizes physical exercise and mental health, with the goal of
balancing both aspects in your life. In a study by Luu and Hall (2017) they found that both hatha
yoga and mindfulness in conjunction saw significantly improved results on both mood and
executive functioning (Luu & Hall, 2017). I then downloaded "Yoga Guru" an app that includes
hatha style yoga onto my smartphone, which provides videos and acts as a personal trainer to get
started. I spent 20 minutes on day 1 following along to the asanas (poses) and breathing directions in
the training videos. Ordinarily, I struggle with my thoughts wandering to the stressors that inflict
pain on my life, which further promotes rumination and negative affect. I tried to actively focus on
the asanas and breathing technique encouraged in the app, however, because I am starting yoga on
my own I have no basis to know if I am doing the technique correctly. The videos were easy to
follow and great for a beginner, however, some of the asanas do require more flexibility than I
expected to be required. Additionally, I struggled with maintaining the asanas for the total duration
of time. Consequently, by the end of this first session I did feel a slight positive increase in my
mood. I felt more relaxed, and in control of my body movements. 20 minutes was enough time for
my body to also feel some of the positive effects of yoga that Pascoe et al. (2017) found while
reviewing empirical articles, such as decreased heart rate and blood pressure.
Day 5 After a few days of consistently working on my Yoga Guru routine for 20 minutes, I felt an
overwhelming increase in energy on day 5. My body has adjusted to the routine of the exercises, and
the lower back pain that I would occasionally experience has dulled and doesn't bother me quite as
much as it did before I began these exercises. Additionally, I'm finding that my posture is also
improving slowly from the constant stretching and bending of various asanas. During this session I

Reflective Observation Reflection Paper
I felt the heat of the sun shinning through my window, I covered my face with a pillow even though
I knew it was time to get up. I slowly rolled out of bed, splashed my face with cold water, got my
gear on, and headed out the door. A couple days a week I would arrive early to the studio to sit and
observe the "early risers" stretch their way through their practice. I sat in the back of the small,
dimly lit room, that smells subtly of lavender. The heat gave the brick covered walls and wooden
floors a warm, homey feeling. As I sat cozily, I observed the expressions on the students faces as
they moved in unison, the flexibility of their bodies, and the quiet, calm voice of the instructor,
Nola. As their practice came to an end I ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
There are hundreds of postures and variations to those postures, which work to make the spine
supple and to promote circulation in all the organs, glands, and tissues. Haha postures also stretch
and align the body, promoting balance and flexibility. I attend a small yoga studio called, Yoga on
Yamhill. This is a two–story, donation based studio located in the heart of downtown Portland.
My first observation about my yoga community is that growth is better in groups. Yoga is a path to
happiness, like any physical activity, it's better in the company of some inspirational people who see
you moving forward. Our yoga practice induce deep thought, wider breathing, eating more
mindfully, learning therapeutic concepts, making patient and conscious decisions about our bodies
and lives, and treating others with respect and kindness. This type of growing requires support of
other like–minded people serving towards similar goals. Knowing that person in Down Dog next to
you is pushing towards a similar goal is comforting and inspiring. It motivates your body and your
mind and pushes your practice into the corners of your mat that can be hard to reach without outside
inspiration from your community.
Secondly, motivation! I know I will sleep in instead of going to class without a friend telling me I
need to get up. Finding that sense of place among like–minded individuals

3. Research and explain these gods or goddesses: Durga,...
3. Research and explain these gods or goddesses: Durga, Kali, Sarasvati, Ganeshe. The goddess
Durga is the protector, vanquishing the demons that threaten Dharma. (Fisher, 2003). She is
represented as a beautiful woman with multiple arms that rides a lion, wielding weapons to use to
defend the good. The reason she yields so many weapons is to show that one weapon cannot kill
different kinds of enemies. (Goddess Durga). Since Durga is the protector of good, she is invoked by
the seeker to destroy all his desires and unveil his supreme Self (Morris, 2014).
The goddess Kali is compassionate and loving, yet fierce and terrifying. Kali is the destroyer of evil.
She is represented as a blue woman, dripping with blood, carrying a severed head ... Show more
He is believed to have the head of an elephant because his father, Siva, removed it when he forbid
him access to his mother, Parvati. When Parvati demanded he be restored, an elephants head was the
first found (Fisher, 2003).
6. What are the 5 yoga paths? Describe each in detail.
Hatha yoga focuses on the body and creating a healthy physical vehicle for spiritual development.
This is done through diet, deep breathing, and stretching exercises (Morris, 2014). Ha means "sun"
and tha means "moon," signifying that hatha yoga brings the unions of pairs of opposites, in this
case the mind and the body. It helps activate the chakras, the centers of energy, and remove
blockages in the mind and body. It is also translated as "forceful yoga," because it requires a lot of
physical effort (Marchand, Hagatha, n.d.). The idea behind hatha yoga is that if you can control and
master your breathing, then controlling the mind is within reach. Karma yoga is entirely selfless
service. This is done through actions and choices (Marchand, Karma, n.d.). Karma yoga follows the
law of dharma, uniting everything and giving back through action. Helping and healing, doing
positive actions in order to promote spiritual growth. Bhakti yoga focuses on the love and devotion
the bhakta (devotee) bestows by worshipping a god (Morris, 2014). This does not mean that they
just worship and love

The Five Yamas of Hatha Yoga Essay
The Five Yamas of Hatha Yoga
Yoga is a discipline both involving physical and mental control that originated in India. The word
Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word, "yug", meaning union and it means the joining of the
individual spirit with the universal spirit. The type of yoga known as Hatha Yoga, ("Ha"– sun, "tha"–
moon) is what is most commonly practiced and this yoga involves the path of the mind and body
and is the most physical. There are eight limbs or steps of Hatha Yoga, the first step being the five
Yamas. There are five yamas and these concern your behavior to the world.
The first of the yamas is Ahimsa, whose translation from Sanskrit is non–violence. The yama of
Ahimsa is about practicing non–violence in words, ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Yet, as I became more knowledgeable and wise, I gave up meat and haven't eaten it in ten years. The
reason I did so was simply because I believe in the sanctity and integrity of all life forms.
The second yama is Satya, whose translation from Sanskrit is truthfulness. It requires one to respect
the truth in thinking, action, and speech. Satya is a very large concept. It means that you should not
say something that you know is false. It also means that you should not lead others into error by
making them believe that you know something when you only presume. Saying the truth is
extremely difficult, for, before telling the truth you must know it through personal experimentation;
you must discover the truth about yourself and release false pretenses. The way I live truthfulness in
my heart is to be truthful to myself and to my heart. I need to do that before I can open up the truth
to everyone else. One of the ways in which I practice truthfulness to myself is by knowing and
respecting my abilities and limitations. For example, I am very aware of my knowledge of other
subjects. In some subjects such as math and physics I excel, however, in others, such as politics or
history, I am not as capable as other people. So, when discussions of subjects in which I am not so
competent come up, I don't pretend to act knowledgeable or well–versed in that subject. Instead of
being fake and inferior, I try to

Yoga Research Paper
Yoga
1.1 Introduction
The word Yoga (/ˈjoʊɡə/) in Sanskrit means to bind, to join, to yoke as well as union, communion.
Traditionally it is a spiritual, mental as well as a physical practice or discipline which originated in
India. In the west yoga is often perceived and taught as a pure physical training.
"It thus means the yoking of all the powers of the body, mind and soul to God; it means the
disciplining of the intellect, the mind, the emotions, the will, which that Yoga presupposes; it means
a poise of the soul which enables one to look at life in all its aspects."
(Mahadev Desai, The Gita according to Ghandi, Light on yoga, page 1)
Yoga is one of the six philosophical schools of Hinduism. It was systematised and collated by
Patañjali ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...
Makarand Madhukar Gore
1.2 Asanas
Asana practice and yoga practice are not one and the same. Asana is but one part of what yoga is
about. (see 1.1 introduction).
Asana practice covers the main task of hatha yoga (see 1.3 different approaches to yoga) and is the
third part of Patañjali's eight steps to attain the highest state of consciousness.
Traditionally āsana means "sitting condition" or " posture", it contributes to the steadiness of the
body and the mind and to a sense of well–being. The term "posture" does not fully cover the
meaning of āsana though. In a "posture" the state of mind is not of importance. Postures are created
and held below the level of consciousness. e.g.: involuntary lifting of the shoulders while under
stress, although the person is sitting quite comfortably in a chair.
Asana is acquired voluntarily. A thought process is avoided, one is supposed to concentrate on the
breathing or the universe while maintaining the āsana. In āsanas exercises the muscles, joints and
nerves while being maintained in a steady manner. When āsanas are done accordingly, the eyes are
closed or looking to the ground and the facial muscles are relaxed which contributes to

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