Yoga: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Benefits?

By Claire Bertolus

Since it's debut as a celebrity exercise regime, many Westerners have come to view Yoga as a cool way to lose weight and tone up. But the practice of Yoga is an ancient tradition closely associated with the Hindu religion. 

According to many practitioners, Yoga is the belief that positive things such as peace and health and happiness are within in every single human being, and that focussing the mind and body and exercising discipline can result in great clarity and wellbeing.

Some say the art of Yoga goes back more than 2000 years, but one thing is certain - practicing Yoga can be good for both the body and the mind.

Relaxation is a key part to living longer and healthier and there are many ways to achieve this, and Yoga is documented to be one of the most effective methods.

Hatha Yoga (Physical Yoga) is one such style that has been made popular by celebrity practitioners such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna. It is often referred to as “power yoga” because it involves running through poses extremely quickly in order to cash in on their physical benefits, to which toning and strengthening are key.

Hatha has been criticised because it is divorced from the other, more spiritual, branches of Yoga. 

In an interview with Time Magazine, Yoga enthusiast Christie Turlington has claimed that many people who practice Hatha are just in it for the “Yoga Body” (read: good bum) that celebrities pontificate about.

But there are numerous other types of Yoga out there, split in five main groups. 

Traditional Yoga practices focus on integration of the mind, body and spirit. In order to achieve this the Yoga student needs to balance their actions, intelligence and emotion. Balance is attained through regulation of the body with Yoga poses and regulation of the mind through meditation and focussing the mind.

In India, where Hindu is one of several dominate religions, the most common branch of Yoga is Bhakti. 

Bhakti is the Yoga of devotion. It is directly related to Hindu spirituality because it encourages the Yoga student to become “one” by devoting themselves to Brahma - the Hindu got of creation. Bhakti aims to open the student's mind to acceptance and love and harmony with oneself and world.

Raja Yoga encourages the practitioner to focus on mastering themselves as a conduit for mastering the extended world. Most Raja students are members of religious or spiritual orders. 

Jnana Yoga is all about mastering the mind. Jnana students believe that wisdom and intelligence are the highest virtues. They are open to other religions and beliefs because they're practices are based on logic and students are encouraged to always keep an open mind.

Karma Yoga is exactly what you think it is. As J.T. says, what goes around, comes around baby. And Karmic Yoga students are encouraged to think and act justly so that they will receive their dues. 

Despite popular misconceptions Tantric Yoga is not all about sex. It focuses on allowing the student to find the divine element of every experience. Humility and devotion are large aspects of Tantric Yoga.

There are benefits other than the physical to be gained through practicing Yoga. It's easy to see from the list above that mental health is high on the agenda of every branch of Yoga. General mental health benefits of Yoga include relaxation and stress relief, which as most people know can lead to a longer life. 

One of the best things about Yoga is that you need no equipment to begin a session. Some practitioners recommend mats to avoid bruising the spine and other parts of the body, but they are not a necessity by any means. Yoga is also low impact and can be enjoyed by all age groups from young children to the elderly, and because of its slow pace you don't have to be super fit to take part either.

Yoga students report a more positive outlook on life, better sleeping patterns and higher concentration levels. Yoga can also be beneficial to those suffering serious illness, bringing together mental and physical elements to help patients suffering from cancers and heart disease.

Yoga Positions (Asanas)

Tree - Improves balance and co-ordination

Triangle - Improves balance and co-ordination

Cobra - Stretches pelvic muscles and strengthens the back

Lotus - Improves meditative state

(Illustration by Electronic Illustrators Group on www.minddisorders.com)