Yoga is a combination of physical postures, breathing techniques and meditation that are performed to bring balance to both body and mind. Originally, yoga was practiced as discipline to help people reach spiritual enlightenment. Now yoga is also used for physical fitness, health and well-being.
Types of Yoga
Yoga has a wide scope. It frequently is described as a tree with eight limbs. Each limb is necessary to balance the body. The dimensions include breathing, postures, restraint, healthy observance, sensory withdrawal, concentration, meditation and higher consciousness. Each branch correlates with a specific type of yoga.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga is the most frequently practiced form of yoga in the U.S. It combines physical postures and breathing exercise to balance the energy in your body. The combination of breath work and physical poses prepare your body for spiritual growth. Each posture is done in sequence to align your physical body and energy channels. Hatha yoga helps you create a balance between strength and flexibility in your physical body.
A recent study completed at Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus found that the practice of Hatha yoga can lessen stress-related changes in the physical body, which could result in significant health benefits.
Kundalini Yoga
This type of yoga focuses on breathing and specific meditation techniques that release Kundalini energy. This energy is also known as spirit energy, and is sometimes also called serpent power. It resides at the base of your spine, dormant. When your body energy becomes balanced, Kundalini energy is released. This energy flows from the base of your spine up through all the chakras, energizing them as it passes. Kundalini energy also releases any blocked energy as it flows through your chakras.
Kundalini meditation techniques have been found to be a beneficial treatment for some psychiatric disorders. Research completed at the Institute for Nonlinear Science, University of California, San Diego reports that Kundalini meditations techniques are effective for treating obsessive compulsive disorder.
Balance and Energy
For Kundalini energy to flow freely, your body must be in harmony. The way to achieve this harmony begins with practicing Hatha yoga. Hatha yoga postures and breathing exercises promote balance in your body.These yoga practices are now finding their way into traditional health practices. Scientific studies that prove the benefits of yoga are being completed daily.
References
- National Research Council Committee on Problems of Neurotic Behavior: Stress, Inflammation, and Yoga Practice
- Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine: An Introduction to Kundalini Yoga Meditation Techniques that are Specific for the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders
- Yoga Journal:The Eight Limbs
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