Thursday 12 March 2015

By Lena Stephenson





During the eighteen nineties a well known Indian philosopher, Swami Vivekananda, toured the western world. He was extremely well received in the best circles of society and soon his philosophies, especially the practice of Asana became all the rage. This philosophy was aimed at improving and healing the body, mind and spirit through learning very specific techniques. Today Asana is practised by millions of people in every country. When looking for a new venue to practice as a yoga instructor Temple TX will even yield a large number of potential students.



There are many misconceptions about this philosophy and they sometimes lead to unfair criticism such as allegations that it is nothing but a cult trying to convert people to Hinduism. Others think that it is nothing more than a series of exercises and some even think that it is one of many methods for learning meditation. Asana is not a religion. Instead, it is a philosophy aiming at helping people to grow physically, mentally and spiritually.



Practitioners of Asana have to master specific poses and exercises. However, mastering these poses and stretching exercises is not the aim of Asana. They are merely used as instruments to master spiritual, mental and physical issues. This remains the main aim, even though their are many different forms of the philosophy. Some are more physical and strenuous whilst others are more focused upon the spiritual. Choosing a specific branch of the philosophy will depend upon the needs of the individual concerned.



One of the main attractions of Asana is that students are never pressurised to master new poses and exercises before they are ready to do so. Then there is the fact that classes never include any form of competition whatsoever. Another attraction is the fact that it can be practised by anyone, regardless of age or physical condition. This makes it an ideal family activity.



Many people practice yoga because they believe that it will help them recover from illnesses. Indeed, many studies have been done on this subject. There is clear evidence that the exercises and poses inherent to Asana have some definite medical benefits. Those with asthma, high blood pressure and even certain types of cancer definitely benefit. Asana has also proved especially beneficial for people suffering from anxiety and depression.



The physical aspect of Asana is low impact. Injuries are rare and practitioners are able to control their own efforts. It is still recommended to join a class at first, not to avoid injuries but to learn the basic principles and to settle into a regime. Classes are offered everywhere, even in the smallest communities. It is not expensive and it is not necessary to buy any equipment.



Once on the go, there are many resources that may prove to be very helpful. There are lots of reputable websites dedicated to help motivate practitioners and to help them progress. Many sites even offer visual training programs and advice on how to master new poses and techniques. There are also many publications dedicated to help people get the most from Asana.



Most experts agree that there are numerous benefits to be had when practising Asana. It improves the general health, helps people to focus and concentrate and in many cases, relieves the symptoms of chronic conditions. It is easy to start and it can be afforded by anybody.









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