Yoga encompasses more than just exercise. It incorporates other principles including relaxation, breathing and nutrition. For some, yoga also includes meditation or positive thinking. Personally for me, I find that in my Christian faith. However others find that it can make a positive difference in their life.
Of course, you can’t have yoga without the exercise. To me that is the most important aspect of yoga. It has definitely helped me to improve my posture, gain flexibility and tone muscles.
The exercise portion of yoga also helps to give your body more energy and strength, which is why I prefer to do it in the morning. It helps me face the day ahead.
Another basic principle of yoga is relaxation. Yoga, unlike aerobics, isn’t about rigorous movement. It is about slow, concentrated movements. You are not rushing through exercise. You are working at a pace that helps your body to release tension in the muscles. There is just something to getting in a good yoga routine before I really get started on my day.
Breathing is yet another basic principle to yoga. What I like about my Wii Fit Plus system is that it reminds you to breathe. You don’t always really think about breathing when you are exercising. You could be holding your breath through movements and that can actually cause your blood pressure to increase.
With yoga you learn how to breathe slowly and deeply. While some take this to a different level, in that it helps to control their mental state, I prefer to see it as a way to regulate my oxygen and give me the ability to focus on my exercise routine.
The final basic principle to yoga is nutrition. There is really no sense getting your body into shape without incorporating a healthy diet. Not only does unhealthy food affect your body but it also affects your mind. Of course, this is the one principle of yoga that I am still really trying to work on.
So these are the basics of yoga. If you have ever been curious about starting yoga, this should give you a good idea of what it’s about.