We all talk about the benefits of yoga.
But how much do you really know about Yoga?
In this blog, let’s deep dive into and understand this ancient practice.
The word Yoga originated from the Sanskrit word “Yug” which means to bind or Yoke. It has been acquiring massive importance globally because of the benefits it provides. It’s been a preferred form of exercise and meditation, while this wasn’t the same earlier.
Also, there is no written record of who invented Yoga. Male practitioners are known as Yogis and female practitioners are known as yoginis.
According to me, yoga is a discipline and practice of relaxation, physical exercise, meditation, positive thinking and diet control. In other forms, it’s a mental, physical, and spiritual discipline derived from ancient times.
Our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Damodar Modi initiated this idea of celebrating International Yoga day in his speech at UNGA (The United Nations General Assembly) in Sep 2014. Since then, International Yoga Day is celebrated on the 21st of June every year in which the entire world participates.
Most Bollywood celebrities like Kareena Kapoor Khan, Malaika Arora, Bipasha Basu, Lara Dutta, Akshay Kumar, Siddharth Malhotra, and of course Shilpa Shetty swear by the health benefits of Yoga and practice it regularly.
There are several health benefits of yoga, also recommended by Baba Ramdev, it is a modern form of postures known as Asana and is followed widely and globally.
We can also find hundreds of videos on the benefits of surya namaskar, vajrasana benefits and various other types of asanas
To know more facts about Yoga, read:- International Yoga Day 2021 – History, Logo, Benefits, Theme
Mudras of Yoga
There are many types of mudras like agni mudra, shunya mudra, apan mudra, pran mudra etc. We will look at some of them below:-
Gyan Mudra (The first yoga mudra pose known as Mudra of Knowledge)-
This mudra helps to improve your concentration and sharpen your memory. Helps to gain knowledge.
Way to do: Touch your index fingertip with the tip of your thumb.
Varuna Mudra (Water Mudra)
Helps in maintaining the water level in the body and has some healing properties as well
Way to do– Touch the tip of the pinky finger and the tip of the thumb and the other three fingers remain straight.
Pran Mudra (Life Mudra)
It gives up the energy to move for the day working as a morning expresso.
Way to do – Touch your ring and pinky finger to the tip and keep the other two fingers comfortably extended.
Surya Mudra (Sun Mudra)
Helps in improving metabolism and digestion which reduces the heaviness in the body also increases the body temperature.
Way to do– Bend your ring finger to the base of your thumb so the thumb can touch the ring finger’s knuckle.
Shunya Mudra (Emptiness Mudra)
Controls your emotions and thoughts. Also, this gesture improves sensory powers and intuitions.
Way to do – Touch the tip of the middle finger to the thumb tip and keep the rest three fingers straight.
Apana Mudra (Purification Mudra)
Helps in detoxifying and purifying the body by eliminating the waste, chemicals, toxins from the body through urine, sweat, etc.
Way to do – Touch the tip of the middle and ring finger with thumb wherein the index finger and little finger remain straight. This is usually followed with both hands.
Vayu Mudra
It’s good for air-related issues like gas-related pain, bloating, and stomach disorders
Way to do – Join the thumb to the knuckle of the index finger
Types of Asanas
There are different types of Yoga and they varied based on basic Yoga poses called Asanas.
- Sukhasana Or Easy Pose
- Naukasana Or Boat Pose
- Dhanurasana Or Bow Pose
- Vakrasana Or Twisted Pose
- Sarvangasana Or Shoulder Stand
- Shirsasana Or Headstand
- Bhujangasana Or Cobra Stretch
Types of Yoga
Here are some most popular types of Yoga.
Power Yoga
It is a more active proposition than traditional yoga poses. The combinations are not the same every time, and there is often upbeat music depending on the gym or studio.
Ashtanga Yoga
This means “8 limbs” is generally considered as traditional Yoga by most people. This consists of Sun Salutation but is done without oral instructions and music silently.
Yin Yoga
This type is a meditative approach that allows the body to become more comfortable in a pose without doing any work.
It focuses on stretching the connective tissues within the body. This is meant to compliment Yang yoga or muscle-forming yoga practices.
Sivananda Yoga
This yoga is a system based on yogic principles like – proper breathing, exercise, relaxation, diet, and positive thinking. These all work together to give a great and healthy way of living.
Iyengar Yoga
The emphasis is on the practice of using breath control through pranayama and the use of props like blankets, blocks, and straps.
This style is usually performed without music and at a slower pace which is formed to assist performers to get deeper into the postures.
Jivamukti Yoga
It integrates Pranayama, Asanas, and Sanskrit chanting with a theme for a session. This is a good mix of spiritual and physical exercise.
Bikram Yoga
It is 90-minute long practice without music.
The place should be 105 degrees Fahrenheit with some amount of humidity where it is being practised also the place or room should be bright and the students face mirrors to check proper posture.
Hatha Yoga
It is basically a practice done by using the body as a vehicle for self-transformation. It is a gentle and moderate-intensity workout form so its considered good for beginners.
Health Benefits of Yoga
There are numerous health benefits of yoga in all aspects – physical, mental and spiritual.
- It helps to relieve stress and fatigue which helps in improvising respiration & vitality.
- Best and easy fitness practice for any age group.
- Improves body posture with great flexibility and balances the body.
- It aids in losing weight.
- Builds muscle strength.
- Improve bone health and protect the spine.
- Increases and improves blood circulation.
- Decreases blood pressure and blood sugar.
- Helps in reducing chronic pain.
- Improves your mood by releasing endorphins.
- Helps in calming the mind, and also increases the chances of conceiving a child.
- Fights Arthritis.
- Reduces mental health issues
- Improves sleep & insomnia.
- Gives a better sleep.
- Commits a healthy and happy lifestyle.
- You live longer.
Also Read: Why Is Healthy Eating Habit So Important? – Multi Niche Blog (revampmind.com)
We think of ourselves as living a purely physical life in these materialistic bodies of ours but the fact is that we are far from this.
In today’s world, every third person is suffering from diabetes, high cholesterol, blood pressure or heart disease. Yoga helps in building strength, self-regulation and mind-body awareness.
In Nutshell, there are countless health benefits of yoga. It increases the mobility of the body organs and reinforces the muscles so that you get more ease in your movement.
So basically it’s not for just a physical workout rather it’s for a healthy lifestyle. So get started now to reap the benefits.
Very interesting but you should put more pictures to show how to perform the correct Mudras 🙂
Sure, thank you for the feedback
Thanks for such an informative post.
Thanks a lot 🙂
Amazing aanchal nice thought
thank you
Thank You Nitin
Oh my God aanchal yoga is so beneficial I will continue every day baby.
Good, amazing
thank you Varun
Amazing….I would do yoga everyday from now😍😍
yes, you should! Its very good for health.
Sure Kush ! Good that this post gave you a commitment now 👍🏻
To stay fit follow this…..
thank you!
Thank you ! Hope this will help.
Sincere attempt to explain the various madras. Method of doing APANA MUDRA( CORRECT NAME IS APANA VAYU MUDRA) NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED AS THE WRITER HAS ERRED IN SO MUCH AS THE FIRST FINGER MOMENT HAS BEEN LEFT OUT.
thank you so much uncle..will make the required changes for sure