Yoga is a science as well as an art form that concerns itself with physical, mental and spiritual well being of its practitioners. Yoga was developed in 3000 B.C. in the Indus Valley Civilization although its practice and its benefits have become popular in the West only in the last 50 years or so. The term ‘Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘yuj’ which means ‘to unite’ or ‘to yoke’. The practice of Yoga enables an individual to unify his body, mind and soul in complete equilibrium. This ensures that the individual can lead a happy and healthy life with a positive and empowering outlook.

Yoga and meditation together go a long way in ensuring a person’s mental as well as spiritual health, while Yoga asanas and Yoga workouts ensure the physical well being of the person. Let’s look at both in turn:

Meditation is the art of controlling one’s mind and focusing on a single object, for instance, on one’s breathing or on a single thought. This allows the person to strip his or her mind of all distracting thoughts, feelings and emotions. This in itself is a wonderful stress reliever as the mind becomes free of any distraction and in complete control of itself. Yoga and meditation also help the person reach spiritual enlightenment. As you meditate and leave all your worries, concerns, desires and wants behind you, you will be able to contemplate the unifying wholeness of the universe. You will get a more mature understanding of yourself and the world that surrounds you. As you continue to meditate, you will find the differences between you and the universe fade away, until you find yourself one with the universe. This helps generate immense inner peace and tranquility and will reflect in the quality of life you experience. You will feel more content and satisfied without the need to prove yourself to the world over and over again.

On the other hand, Yoga workouts are a great way to ensure physical health and well being. Yoga workouts are designed to suit the requirement of the practitioner. For instance, you can have specific workouts to address issues like high blood pressure, heart problems, stress, anxiety, depression, etc. However, even if you are completely healthy, yoga workouts can provide you with great benefits. To begin with, they help the body become supple, nimble and flexible. In the long run, this will help you avoid problems related to bone and joint deterioration as you age. It also improves a number of your internal systems like respiratory, circulatory, metabolic, digestive, etc. This ensures that you remain healthy and are able to process nutrients in your food most effectively. Yoga workouts also help cleanse and detoxify the body, ensuring the continuing health of your internal organs. It helps you increase your stamina, energy levels and vitality.

No matter where you are in life, Yoga meditation and Yoga workout can provide you with immense benefits and enrich the quality of your life.