A busy life can make you feel rushed to complete one task after another without leaving time for relaxing, strengthening and balancing your body and mind. MayoClinic.com reports that yoga and meditation can teach you how to create a sense of well-being emotionally, mentally and physically. Local studios, gyms and recreational centers may offer combined classes that incorporate physical yoga and meditation, or ones which are mostly yoga or meditation as separate subjects.
Function
Yoga classes usually begin with a seated or supine session of breathing and relaxing. This section gives students time to clear their minds and also lets them practice how their breathing should be performed during yoga poses, or asanas. At the end of a yoga class, instructors often offer a five- to 15-minute section of meditation or relaxation. Meditation serves many purposes such as to help you decrease negative thinking, to connect you with spirituality, and to help you handle stress or pain.
Types
Yoga classes vary from extremely gentle, such as Restorative or Yin Yoga, to vigorous, such as Bikram or Ashtanga. Yoga Journal emphasizes that people are drawn to different styles of yoga depending on what their minds and bodies need. Try different instructors and styles to find formats that suit you. Meditation classes also range in style and approach. Almost every religion uses some form of meditation in their practices. In yogic traditions, which are often inclusive of all religions, meditation is one of the eight limbs, or aspects, of yoga. In yoga, meditation's ultimate purpose is union with the divine, or higher self, depending on your belief system.
Poses
Each yoga pose serves a different purpose. Within the collection of hundreds of poses are general categories such as arm-balancing, forward bends, backbends, standing postures and twists. A pose might help you strengthen specific muscle groups, teach you how to balance or help you increase flexibility. Common pose names include downward-facing dog, bound angle, standing forward bend, the warriors and tree.
Meditation Techniques
Modern techniques of meditation include guided visualizations and positive thinking exercises. Traditional techniques include chanting, mantras and specific mudras, or hand positions. A common tool in yogic philosophy is learning to focus intently on a single object, then eventually, to be completely aware without an object of focus.
Considerations
Yoga instructors should encourage you to work at your own pace and to honor any injuries or physical challenges you may have. After class, ask for modifications or alternate poses if you found that you had difficulties with specific poses. To make meditation classes more comfortable, try sitting on a blanket, bolster or block and wear comfortable clothing. In both yoga and meditation classes, it is normal for it to take several sessions to be able to stay focused. Class sessions may last anywhere from 30 to 120 minutes.
Member Comments