The term "yoga" has two common yet distinct definitions. Derived from the ancient Sanskrit word "yuj," which means "union," it indicates both a group of lifestyle principles that promote inner balance and a type of nonaerobic physical activity. The exercise form of yoga has gained the appreciation of numerous Americans, and some health care facilities in the United States even offer yoga alongside traditional medical procedures to improve the well-being of patients.
History
Historians estimate that yoga originated in India approximately 5,000 to 6,000 years ago, and people began using it for health purposes about 3,000 years later. Followers of the philosophy known as transcendentalism pioneered the practice of yoga in the United States in the mid-19th century, although yoga did not gain widespread recognition until the last two decades of the century. Many aspects of yoga are recorded in ancient documents, such as the Sanskrit texts called "The Yoga Sutras" and "The Vedas."
Types
Many branches or styles of yoga exist due to practitioners' continual efforts to explore the numerous connections between the body and the mind, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center. In the United States, however, there are two main kinds of yoga based on overall usage. In practical terms, forms of yoga in the United States consist of those based on Hatha yoga, the most common type of yoga practiced in the country, and all of the other forms. Types of yoga besides Hatha include Bhakti, Jnana, Karma, Raja and Tantra.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga focuses on putting your body in various poses, or asanas, in order to increase flexibility and strength and achieve balance among the opposing aspects of your life. For instance, after flexing a limb or arching your back, you might do the opposite and extend the limb straight or round your back. The discipline also emphasizes controlled breathing through exercises called pranayama, and meditation follows the physical portion. Hatha yoga has numerous styles, as well, such as Anusara, Bikram, Integral, Kripalu and Viniyoga.
Differences and Similarities
All forms of yoga seek to enhance the connection between your body, mind and spirit through discipline and certain practices. Yet, they use varying methods to achieve that goal and sometimes others. Tantra yoga, for example, includes rituals and training to help you free yourself from traits that worsen your life, such as anger, fear, hatred, jealousy and vanity. In contrast, Karma yoga emphasizes doing good deeds to positively influence the path of your life, and Raja yoga prioritizes the state of your spirit and mind by stressing meditation.
Benefits of All Types
Studies indicate yoga in general can improve both your mental and physical health, according to the American Cancer Society. Potential physical benefits include a greater ability to control your blood pressure, breathing and heart rate. Yoga can help regulate your body temperature and metabolism, too. Together, these improved physical properties can lead to higher fitness levels, a greater sense of well-being, reduced stress, weight loss and better management of health conditions such as depression, difficulty sleeping and pain.
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