What is Yoga?
Since some years ago, many people were not aware of what yoga is. Some used to believe that practice of Yoga was akin to “magical performances” of the past such as bending bars and tearing plates, Breaking stones, walking on fire, remaining underground in a pit for several days, etc. In recent times, many people have begun to understand instead of wanting to know what yoga is, they are interested to know what among The different yoga practices should they follow for maintaining health, or for overcoming some common health problems.
Yoga is one of the very ancient Sanskrit works. It has two different meanings - a general meaning and a technical meaning. Both these meaning are not related with each other. In the general sense the word ‘yoga’ is deriven from the root “Yujir-yoge”, which means joining, coming together or union of any two or more things. The word ‘yoga’ has been used in the rigveda, one of the four vedas, of ancient test, to mean “unity of the intellect of the sages” or dheenam yogaminvati or “arrangement of verses” of Chhandasam yogam. In the Atharva veda, another of the four ancient texts, words such as ashtayogaih and shadyogebhih are used to indicate a plow pulled by eight for six bullocks respectively. Word such as viyoga, samyoga, agoga, prayoga, vinigoga, Sshayoga, are common examples of the use of the word ‘yoga’ even today in the general sense of ‘coming together’, derived from the root Yuji.
The technical meaning of the term 'Yoga' is derived from another root “yoji” (samadhau). Here the meaning of word is not “Union” ,but “a state of stability, stillness, and peace”. The word ‘yoga’ here indicates both the state of stillness and the means of practices which lead to that state. These practices include asanas, pranayama, dhyana, yana-niyanmas, etc. While in the Veds the word ‘yoga’ is used only in the general sense, there are texts ( such as the Bhagavad Gita) in which both the meanings are ascribed to that word. In the Gita, words such as buddhiyoga, Karmayoga are used which refer to the technical meaning . Many experts have said that at the time of Panini, the famous Sanskrit Garmmarian of the seventhcentury BC, both the meanings of the word – general and technical – yoga were already in use.
Yoga for Cancer Recovery
Yoga & Diabetes...
By releasing muscle tension and teaching you how to relax at will, Yoga relaxation training helps reduce the harmful effects of physical and mental stress. Daily practice of meditation shows you a quiet, restful, stable part of yourself that supports everything you do, and teaches you how to draw on these inner resources for the strength and health that can be your choice.
Yoga: Proper Diet
The proper diet contains the following elements:
- cereals
- wholemeal bread
- pasta, rice or potatoes
- fresh fruit
- fresh vegetables
- pure fruit juices
- milk
- yogurt
- butter
- cheese
- legumes
- nuts
- seeds
- sprouted seeds
- honey
- herb teas
All other types of food may not necessary to lead a healthy and happy life. Moreover, consuming other types of food will damage your physical and mental health.
The Five Principles of Yoga:
1st Principle of Yoga :
Proper Relaxation
2nd Principle of Yoga :
Proper Exercise
3rd Principle of Yoga :
Proper Breathing
4th Principle of Yoga :
Proper Diet
5th Principle of Yoga :
Positive Thinking and Meditation
Yoga for Cancer Recovery
You are diagnosed with cancer, receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment, recovering from surgical tumor removal, or in remission. You may be dealing with symptoms or side effect, anxiety or emotional issues.
What can you do for yourself that will help ease your symptoms, give you more energy, calm your mind, and give you tools for accepting, loving and motivating yourself? Try yoga as an adjunct to your medical treatment.
Yoga is an ancient practice of integrating the body, breath, and mind. There are many different styles and ways to practice yoga. For cancer recovery, try gentle yoga, yoga therapy, restorative yoga, yoga for healing, and yoga for beginners. There are several books and videos for different age groups, levels, and considerations. Another option you have is to take a group class or work with a yoga teacher or yoga therapist one-on-one. Go with what motivates you to continue to practice.
One big motivation may also be your body. It may be calling for your attention with fatigue, less range of motion, or pain. In yoga, the body is addressed by practicing physical postures (also called asanas). These stimulate and balance all the systems of the body: musculoskeletal, nervous system, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, reproductive and urogenital. As we now know, the whole person is affected when something is out of balance, as a number of postures are practiced in a sequence to address the whole body.
Depending on what parts of your body are affected, what type of cancer you have (or had), and your physical abilities, your practice will be specific to you. You may not be able to safely or comfortably do the posture the way the teacher or someone else is doing it. That's okay. Modify or change the position so it feels good for you. You will find out what works for you, what you are able to do, and what helps you to move in a positive direction.
When you are practicing a posture, do what you can without creating more pain. You may feel discomfort, but going to the point of sharp pain is not going to benefit you. Sometimes the postures are easier if you don't try as hard - if you actually do less. Ask yourself if you can let go of something: it could be tension or holding in the body, or it could be an expectation or judgment you have about yourself.
An important aspect of yoga is the integration of the breath with the movement or posture. To get a feel for this, you can gently squeeze and release the hands with coordination of the breath with the movement. Next, move to raising the arms at the rhythm of the breath. Then move on to practicing the postures attuned to the breath.
Breathing practices (also called pranayama) are also done for the benefit of improving efficient movement and lung capacity, as well as promoting calm and relaxation.
Remember to start slowly, and create a practice that is comfortable as well as challenging enough to keep you progressing toward a healthier, happier life.
What can you do for yourself that will help ease your symptoms, give you more energy, calm your mind, and give you tools for accepting, loving and motivating yourself? Try yoga as an adjunct to your medical treatment.
Yoga is an ancient practice of integrating the body, breath, and mind. There are many different styles and ways to practice yoga. For cancer recovery, try gentle yoga, yoga therapy, restorative yoga, yoga for healing, and yoga for beginners. There are several books and videos for different age groups, levels, and considerations. Another option you have is to take a group class or work with a yoga teacher or yoga therapist one-on-one. Go with what motivates you to continue to practice.
One big motivation may also be your body. It may be calling for your attention with fatigue, less range of motion, or pain. In yoga, the body is addressed by practicing physical postures (also called asanas). These stimulate and balance all the systems of the body: musculoskeletal, nervous system, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, reproductive and urogenital. As we now know, the whole person is affected when something is out of balance, as a number of postures are practiced in a sequence to address the whole body.
Depending on what parts of your body are affected, what type of cancer you have (or had), and your physical abilities, your practice will be specific to you. You may not be able to safely or comfortably do the posture the way the teacher or someone else is doing it. That's okay. Modify or change the position so it feels good for you. You will find out what works for you, what you are able to do, and what helps you to move in a positive direction.
When you are practicing a posture, do what you can without creating more pain. You may feel discomfort, but going to the point of sharp pain is not going to benefit you. Sometimes the postures are easier if you don't try as hard - if you actually do less. Ask yourself if you can let go of something: it could be tension or holding in the body, or it could be an expectation or judgment you have about yourself.
An important aspect of yoga is the integration of the breath with the movement or posture. To get a feel for this, you can gently squeeze and release the hands with coordination of the breath with the movement. Next, move to raising the arms at the rhythm of the breath. Then move on to practicing the postures attuned to the breath.
Breathing practices (also called pranayama) are also done for the benefit of improving efficient movement and lung capacity, as well as promoting calm and relaxation.
Remember to start slowly, and create a practice that is comfortable as well as challenging enough to keep you progressing toward a healthier, happier life.
Yoga & Diabetes...
Adult-onset diabetes can usually be controlled through dietary and other lifestyle changes. While Yoga cannot “cure” diabetes, it can complement the lifestyle changes necessary to keep diabetic symptoms in check, and it can help you feel more in control of your health and well-being.
If you need to lose weight, Yoga can help build your concentration and willpower so that it’s easier to stay on a weight-loss program. Yoga breathing techniques are particularly helpful because they teach you to focus on one thing — in this case, your smooth, rhythmic breathing — to the exclusion of everything else. In addition to strengthening your will, this practice also reduces harmful stress reactions and conserves energy so that more of it is available for living your life the way you want to. Learning how to cope with stress is important to anyone dealing with a chronic physical condition.
Yoga exercises gently tone and shape the body, improve posture and flexibility, and contribute to feelings of well-being. Most Yoga exercises have a profound effect on improving circulation, especially to the extremities. Yoga exercises help keep the blood vessels elastic, and Yoga exercise combined with relaxation training has even been shown to reduce high blood pressure in some cases. After you’ve practiced for a while, you can add more vigorous exercises to your Yoga routine to give you the added benefits of some aerobic conditioning and increased muscle strength. Yoga exercises gently press on the body’s glands and organs, resulting in positive effects for the digestive, endocrine, and reproductive systems.
By releasing muscle tension and teaching you how to relax at will, Yoga relaxation training helps reduce the harmful effects of physical and mental stress. Daily practice of meditation shows you a quiet, restful, stable part of yourself that supports everything you do, and teaches you how to draw on these inner resources for the strength and health that can be your choice.
Coping with diabetes does not mean giving in to an “illness” mentality; by following your physician’s instructions and changing your lifestyle, you can create a life that is full, happy, energetic, healthy, and balanced. For a special routine for diabetes, please see the chapter on diabetes in our book The American Yoga Association Wellness Book.
Yoga: Proper Diet
The proper diet contains the following elements:
- cereals
- wholemeal bread
- pasta, rice or potatoes
- fresh fruit
- fresh vegetables
- pure fruit juices
- milk
- yogurt
- butter
- cheese
- legumes
- nuts
- seeds
- sprouted seeds
- honey
- herb teas
All other types of food may not necessary to lead a healthy and happy life. Moreover, consuming other types of food will damage your physical and mental health.
The Five Principles of Yoga:
1st Principle of Yoga :
Proper Relaxation
2nd Principle of Yoga :
Proper Exercise
3rd Principle of Yoga :
Proper Breathing
4th Principle of Yoga :
Proper Diet
5th Principle of Yoga :
Positive Thinking and Meditation
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