Yoga is a 6000-year-old form of exercise which not only disciplines the body but conditions the mind as well.
The practice of yoga is largely thought of as just the asanas (postures and exercises), but breath is really at the heart of yoga training. Some have said "if you can breathe, then you can do yoga". The use of breathing techniques to quiet your mind is one of the primary objectives of yoga.
By regularly taking the time for yoga, you will become very conscious of your breathing. You will train yourself to control your breath, which will help you become calm and relaxed. As well, the form of your asanas will improve the more you focus on your breathing.
As human beings, our minds tend to wander into thoughts of the past and the future. However, our bodies exist only in the present. By practicing yoga, you will learn through your breath how to draw your mind back to your body and abandon all of your worries.
Yoga can help to prevent stress and disease by letting you do this - letting go of these harmful, stressful thoughts, even for a short time, restores your body and mind to a healthy balanced state. Focusing on the present is what brings about this benefit.
By practicing yoga, you will learn to breathe consciously which will make your mind attentive and focused on your practice. You will be able to maintain your thoughts in the present, sweeping aside worries and concerns.
The following breathing exercise is a simple method of practicing yoga that will help you to let go of stress and balance your mind.
* Lie or sit comfortably and become aware of your normal state of breathing.
* Be aware of your breath while you inhale and exhale, counting to four each time. Do this several times.
* Next, increase your inhalation and exhalations to 5 counts each.
* After several rounds of breathing in and out for five counts, increase to six counts. Be conscious of your body at all times and don't tense up.
* Continue increasing your inhalations and exhalations all the way up to 9 counts. If you feel that this is causing you any stress, drop the count back down to a number that is comfortable for you.
* Keep bringing your mind back to your body to check to see if there is any tension anywhere. If there is, try to relax that part of your body.
* However high a count you managed to attain with your breathing, maintain that number for a few more rounds, then stop counting and just breathe naturally for ten rounds.
What you should learn from this and any other yoga breathing exercise is to still your thoughts and relax your mind so that you are conscious of your body. Over time, you will gain control of your breathing and you will be able to draw on its power to calm yourself during stressful moments. - 20761
The practice of yoga is largely thought of as just the asanas (postures and exercises), but breath is really at the heart of yoga training. Some have said "if you can breathe, then you can do yoga". The use of breathing techniques to quiet your mind is one of the primary objectives of yoga.
By regularly taking the time for yoga, you will become very conscious of your breathing. You will train yourself to control your breath, which will help you become calm and relaxed. As well, the form of your asanas will improve the more you focus on your breathing.
As human beings, our minds tend to wander into thoughts of the past and the future. However, our bodies exist only in the present. By practicing yoga, you will learn through your breath how to draw your mind back to your body and abandon all of your worries.
Yoga can help to prevent stress and disease by letting you do this - letting go of these harmful, stressful thoughts, even for a short time, restores your body and mind to a healthy balanced state. Focusing on the present is what brings about this benefit.
By practicing yoga, you will learn to breathe consciously which will make your mind attentive and focused on your practice. You will be able to maintain your thoughts in the present, sweeping aside worries and concerns.
The following breathing exercise is a simple method of practicing yoga that will help you to let go of stress and balance your mind.
* Lie or sit comfortably and become aware of your normal state of breathing.
* Be aware of your breath while you inhale and exhale, counting to four each time. Do this several times.
* Next, increase your inhalation and exhalations to 5 counts each.
* After several rounds of breathing in and out for five counts, increase to six counts. Be conscious of your body at all times and don't tense up.
* Continue increasing your inhalations and exhalations all the way up to 9 counts. If you feel that this is causing you any stress, drop the count back down to a number that is comfortable for you.
* Keep bringing your mind back to your body to check to see if there is any tension anywhere. If there is, try to relax that part of your body.
* However high a count you managed to attain with your breathing, maintain that number for a few more rounds, then stop counting and just breathe naturally for ten rounds.
What you should learn from this and any other yoga breathing exercise is to still your thoughts and relax your mind so that you are conscious of your body. Over time, you will gain control of your breathing and you will be able to draw on its power to calm yourself during stressful moments. - 20761
About the Author:
Learn more about the practice of yoga at Simple Yoga Essentials, a guide to basic yoga exercises that will improve your body, mind and spirit.
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