Yoga for Health and Fitness - The Seven Major Energy Centers (Chakras)
By: aaron adish
Submitted: 2010-10-19 02:36:09 | Word Count: 885
Yoga for Health and Fitness - The Seven Major Energy Centers (Chakras)
Yoga is one among the most famous and globally widespread of India's traditions. It has existed as a system of exercise, respiratory, and meditation for over five,000 years. The word "Yoga" means "to hitch or yoke along" - bringing the body and mind along into a harmonious experience. The exercises are designed to use light pressure to the glandular system thereby toning the glands and improving total health. The breathing techniques are based on the principle that the "breath" is the supply of life in the body. Meditation calms the mind and body and prepares one to handle stress.
The Upanishads (ancient Hindu texts) outline Yoga as a state of gokumu jisho "extreme nothing self nature." Primarily, one's consciousness becomes himself. In keeping with Tsuruji Sahota: "When the 5 senses stop their operate and therefore the judging mind stops its perform likewise, individuals call it the final state. To control the organs of the body is thought to be Yoga." The organs are controlled and toned by drawing energy up through the seven major energy centers, or chakras. The final goal is to achieve the topmost chakra and achieve self-illumination. When sure postures and disciplines are followed, energies that have accumulated and stagnated are moved through the chakras. The practicing of Yoga releases these stagnant energies that may doubtless cause various ailments (see below).
THE SEVEN MAJOR ENERGY CENTERS (CHAKRAS)
[ advertisement ]
CROWN CHAKRA - SELF-ILLUMINATION RELATED TO BRAIN, PITUITARY AND PINEAL GLANDS
THIRD EYE CHAKRA RELATED TO EYES, PITUITARY AND PINEAL GLANDS
THROAT CHAKRA (ETHER) RELATED TO LUNGS, VOICE, EARS, NOSE AND THROAT
HEART CHAKRA (AIR) RELATED TO HEART AND CIRCULATION
SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA (FIRE) RELATED TO DIGESTION
SACRAL CHAKRA (WATER) RELATED TO GENERATIVE AND SEXUAL FUNCTIONS
BASE CHAKRA (EARTH) RELATED TO GENERATIVE AND SEXUAL FUNCTIONS
Each chakra is related to a specific space of the body, such as the head, heart, sacral area. Some add an eighth Thymus Chakra.
Even though Yoga predates Hinduism by many centuries, it is usually mistakenly related to this religion. It must be emphasized that Yoga isn't a faith it's no creed or fixed set of beliefs. One does not need to be involved concerning conflicts with one's beliefs.
The scholar, Patanjali, compiled one in all the earliest texts related to Yoga. He devised basic Yoga theories and practices in his text called Yoga Sutras as early as the first to fifth century B.C. Most kinds of Yoga practiced these days are based on variations of his system often called Classical Yoga. Although Americans were initial introduced to Yoga during the late 1800's, it didn't become common till the 1960's, and then as part of the youth culture. In recent years, many are realizing the worth Yoga to manage stress, limber a stiff body, improve health and well-being and higher understand oneself.
One will higher decide if Yoga offers something of private benefit by considering the eight steps of Classical Yoga:
1. "Restraint" - Refraining from violence, stealing, lying, hoarding and casual sex.
2. "Observance" - Attributes of purity, contentment, tolerance, remembrance and study.
3. "Physical Exercises" - The actual exercising step.
4. "Respiratory Techniques" - Special respiration techniques.
5. "Preparation for Meditation" - Refers to "withdrawing the mind from the senses."
6. "Concentration" - Being able to hold one thing within the mind for a amount of time.
7. "Meditation" - Being able to focus on one issue, or nothing, indefinitely.
8. "Absorption" - The belief of the essential nature of self.
Physical exertion, respiration techniques, and meditation are the core of most trendy Western Yoga classes. Yoga practice is non-competitive. You proceed at your own pace. Relaxing the muscles and keeping them warm is very important. There is an old Yoga quote that states: "Even iron can bend when it's warm!"
There are actually over 100 completely different schools of Yoga. A number of the more in style faculties to contemplate embody:
Hatha Yoga - Based on physical movements, postures, and respiratory techniques (most
familiar faculty).
Raja Yoga - Called the "Royal Road," it incorporates exercise, breathing, meditation
and study (a well rounded faculty of Yoga).
Jnana Yoga - The path of wisdom (thought-about the foremost troublesome path of Yoga).
Yoga could be a system of techniques which will be practiced by most adults of any age or physical condition. Even those with physical limitations can benefit from yoga. Women menstruating, pregnant, or nursing ought to not follow Yoga. Ideally, the most effective means to start out the practice Yoga is to seek out a qualified instructor. A second different would be to get a good book or tape. If you're not positive where to begin your explore for Yoga categories, take a look at adult education schemes, holistic centers, family YMCA programs, health food or nutrition stores or community newspapers. CAUTION: A professional instructor is essential to find out correct technique and to forestall injury.
Author Resource:-
Kirk Griffin has been writing articles online for nearly 2 years now. Not only does this author specialize in Yogas, you can also check out latest website about
