Monday, March 16, 2015

By Lena Stephenson


Ever since the Indian philosopher Swami Vivekananda toured Europe and the United States in the eighteen nineties and introduced a new form of meditation, spiritual growth and physical exercise, the world was hooked. The new discipline, properly called Asana, that was then introduced to westerners was nothing new, however. It has been practised in the East since 500BC. Today, it continues to grow in popularity. For example, when looking for a yoga instructor Temple TX citizens can choose between dozens of qualified and experienced professionals.

Many people believe that Asana is a religious discipline or philosophy. Others think that it is merely a system of exercises and yet others see it is as a particular meditation method. None of these people are correct and yet they all are. Asana is a philosophy that strives to improve the mind, body and the spirit, all at the same time. It is an integrated philosophy with many levels and sub disciplines.

Basically, to practice Asana it is necessary to learn a series of poses and stretching exercises. These exercises have many physical benefits, but they are also used by teachers to bring home very specific spiritual and philosophical principles. There are many approaches to this philosophy. Some are more strenuous whilst others are more introspective. Beginners are encouraged to experiment and choose the discipline that will best satisfy their needs.

One of the reasons why Asana has become so popular is the fact that it does not entail any form of competition. Practitioners progress at their own pace and they only learn new techniques and poses when they feel ready. The fact that everybody can participate, even physically handicapped people, also adds to the attraction. It is the perfect holistic activity for the entire family.

A large number of people take up yoga because they are looking for alternative solutions to serious or chronic medical conditions. In fact, many formal studies have been done on this very subject. The jury is still out, but there is no doubt that Asana is beneficial for people suffering from depression, heart disease, asthma, high blood pressure and blood circulation problems.

There are no known negative side effects. This means that anybody can get going without fearing that they will hurt themselves. Experts agree that it is better to join a class when first starting out with Asana. The popularity of this discipline has seen to it that classes are offered just about everywhere, even in the small towns. No special equipment is required.

Both beginners and experienced practitioners can also benefit from a wealth of resources on the internet. There are many excellent sites that contain advice and instructional videos. Some focus on the spiritual aspects while others aim to teach users new poses and stretching exercises. Care should be taken, however, to use only those sites that are managed by recognized experts in this field.

There can be no doubt that Asana can benefit most people. It can be practised anywhere and it can be done alone or as part of a group. It is not an expensive activity and it will suit anyone that desires to improve his fitness, mental alertness and spiritual well being.




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