Today, the teachings of yoga filled the minds of all mankind. It is safe to say that the whole planet is covered by this ancient knowledge - new yoga schools, ashrams are appearing everywhere, aimed not only at working with the body, but also specialized meditation centers

The legend of the origin of yoga

Shri Matsyendra was a fisherman, and once he was swallowed by a huge fish that hid at the bottom of the ocean, near the place where the Great God Shiva intended to reveal the innermost secret teachings of yoga to his wife Parvati. During the transmission of special instructions, Parvati fell asleep, and when Shiva asked if she had received the transmission of the Teaching, Matsyendra sang from the belly of the fish: "Om." It turned out that he received initiation before the wife of Lord Shiva herself!
Matsyendra was fascinated by the teachings of yoga. After spending 12 years in a fish belly and studying the spiritual practices of yoga all this time, he became liberated (achieved enlightenment). Being already an enlightened Master, Matsyendra transmitted this teaching (Dharma) to many living beings for another five hundred years, after which he completely dissolved the elements of his material body in the Clear Light and disappeared.
One way or another, but in one of the most important treatises "Hatha Yoga Pradipika" in the line of transmission of knowledge, Matsyendra is named the first after Shiva. One of the most popular hatha yoga asanas, matsyendrasana, is dedicated to him.

A tablet found during excavations in Harappa with a yogi in a butterfly pose (baddha konasana) - on the right, 3500-2700. BC e.

Historical facts and archaeological evidence

A tablet found during excavations in Harappa with a yogi in a butterfly pose (baddha konasana), 3500-2700. BC e.

Yoga as a system originated in India in ancient times. This is evidenced by the oldest written monuments of Indian culture that have come down to us, namely the Vedas - a collection of the most ancient scriptures in Sanskrit. The Vedas consist of four parts:

Rig Veda(Veda of hymns);
Samaveda(Veda of chants);
Yajurveda(Veda of sacrificial formulas);
Atharvavaeda(Veda of spells).

A number of scientists trace the origin of yoga to the III-II millennium BC, based on the fact that during the excavations of the cities of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa in the Indus Valley, seals were found depicting people who were in various yoga poses. The first written monuments - the Vedas - appeared, as is commonly believed, after the invasion of Hindustan by the Aryan tribes. If the indigenous culture was destroyed by them, then in the ten centuries that have passed from this event to the emergence of the Vedas, yoga, as its element, was assimilated by the conquerors. However, there is an alternative point of view, according to which Yoga was brought to India by the Aryans.

Seal from Mohenjo Daro, III-II millennium BC.

The first and most respected to this day systematic guide to classical yoga that have come down to us are the Yoga Sutras, their authorship is attributed to the sage Patanjali, who was not only a well-known theorist and practitioner of yoga, but also an Ayurvedic physician. The philosophical principles of yoga and its worldview are described in detail in the ancient treatise "Bhagavad Gita" (there is no exact dating, presumably III-I millennium BC). The text of the Gita is a conversation between the god Krishna and the warrior Arjuna before the battle of Kurukshetra, where Krishna teaches Arjuna the science of life.
According to the Bhagavad Gita, "yoga is balance." The ideal of the Gita is not an ascetic from a cave, immersed in deep meditation, but an ordinary person. The yogi should not leave the world, on the contrary, he should remain in it, not deviating from the natural conditions of life and life. It is easy to be enlightened by protecting yourself from the influence of the outside world, but maintaining harmony without succumbing to external temptations is much more difficult. The main conditions: systematic practice and non-attachment to the material. It was this interpretation that made yoga extremely popular in Indian society, and the idea that only selfless activity leads to liberation has survived to this day.

Yoga Sutras, 2nd century BC

There are other yogic texts, the most famous of which are the popular medieval tantric texts on Hatha yoga, written in simple language, understandable to the masses. These are Shiva Samhita and Gheranda Samhita, as well as Hatha Yoga Pradipika.
Before the appearance of the mentioned texts (in the 12th century), yoga was known, attributed to a certain Gorakh-nath, who, according to legend, compiled the Goraksha-shataka, a thesis on Hatha yoga.

Yoga and other spiritual teachings of the East

Buddhism never denied yoga, but modified its technology to suit its needs. At the same time, Buddhists equally rejected both the teachings of the Vedas and the yogic philosophical "decoration", but they took a lot from yoga for their spiritual practices.

The most radical change in the classical yoga of Patanjali was Tantrism, which assimilated a mass of popular cults and superstitions. Beginning around the 6th century CE, he took a leading position in Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism.
Tantrism claims that in the era of the dark times of the Kali Yuga in which we live, all previous traditions, including the Vedas, could not provide enlightenment, in fact, it can only be achieved by turning any daily activities into a yogic ritual. And today, yoga teachers often say that the real practice begins the moment you roll up the mat after class.

Tantra believes that perfection can only be achieved in the "divine body", and therefore one should maintain pristine health as long as possible. Without an absolutely healthy body, it is impossible to achieve bliss, so tantrikas also practice yoga asanas. If the tantric sadhana (realization of the teaching) implies the rise of the Kundalini, then the Nath sect has made asanas its religion. Nathas and Sahaja Vaishnavas united countless sects of "folk yoga".
In some sects, yoga has completely degraded, which is an example of Shaivite ascetics. Unthinkable modifications of it also arose in Tibetan tantric societies, for example, the chhod rite, a ritual of a yogi sacrificing his mental essence to be devoured by demons. Himalayan ascetics worked with internal heat, called "tumo", running yogis are also known. In Tibet, the yogic tradition fell under the influence of local cults, which gave rise to many variations, the most significant of which are the six doctrines of Naropa.

Figurine depicting the sage Patanjali, the creator of the yoga sutras

Indian yogic practices had a significant impact on the development of Sufism. The ancient Indian text on yoga, "Amritakunda" ("Lake of Nectar"), was translated into Arabic and Persian back in the 11th century. After the Muslim conquest of India, the cultural mixing of Islam with Indian traditions gave rise to the yoga of Sufism. Initially, Muslim yogis were called fakirs to distinguish them from Hindu yogis, Buddhists and followers of Patanjali, then magicians and sorcerers, lone yogis who earned their living by demonstrating "miracles" were called this word. Although in the West the concepts of "fakir" and "yogi" are confused, but this is not true, the difference between them is about the same as between wandering ascetic monks and wandering acrobats in the cities of medieval Europe.
Even more strong difference is still preserved in India between yogis and "sadhus" - "God's people", many of whom only pretend to be yogis. In fact, most often a sadhu is an analogue of our beggars begging for alms.
Now in India and beyond there are a huge number of centers, institutes, schools and ashrams.
In addition to spiritual practice, there is also yoga sports (yoga competitions created to popularize it) and yoga therapy (treatment of diseases with the help of asanas, proper breathing and proper concentration).

Reading 6 min. Views 2.9k. Published on 29.10.2015

Yoga as a philosophical doctrine originates from the time of the existence of the Aryan civilization. It contains the basics of interpretation of the origin of the world and understanding of human nature, methods of spiritual self-improvement.

The concept of this doctrine has a huge number of admirers. As a special system of ancient Indian wisdom, yoga consists of theoretical and practical foundations, some sections, methods and directions. She is one of six known orthodox philosophical schools India and one of the darshans.

Philosophy of classical yoga

To understand the philosophy of yoga, you must first understand its origins and theoretical foundations.

Yoga is the philosophy of ancient India, the foundations of which are set forth in the main work of this school, called the Yoga Sutra, and comments on it. Its author is Patanajali, about whom very little is known. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with.

It was previously believed that the great teacher, philosopher and yogi lived in India in the 2nd century BC. But now the opinion has become stronger that it was several centuries later - in the 2nd century AD. Patanajali acts only as the author of the work, and not the entire philosophical teaching, since the mention of the principles of yogic practice is mentioned in the Vedas, Ramayana and Mahabharata (in part of the Bhagavad Gita). The very term "yoga" can be found in the early Upanishads, which are commentaries on the Vedas.

Let's start with the fundamental concepts of the philosophy of classical yoga.

So, all being includes two substances Prakriti and Purusha. Prakriti represents everything material in the existing world. This is something that can be seen, heard or felt in some other way, registered with high-precision instruments. We recommend that you read the information about.

Under the concept of "Purusha" lies the spiritual principle, the so-called eternal Spirit. Ishvara - God among all spiritual beings - is the manifestation of Purusha. He did not create the world and does not control it, but he is able to unite and separate the spiritual from the material. If Prakriti cannot be realized, then Purusha has consciousness.

If Prakriti is constantly changing, then Purusha is not subject to change, therefore it is outside of time and space. He is like an observer of the changing picture of the world.

05.07.2017

Yoga is a teaching that has come down to us from time immemorial and is mentioned in the most ancient sources. Echoes of this teaching can be found in almost all religions, ritual practices and esoteric schools. The history of yoga goes back several thousand years.

Archaeological evidence and historical facts

It is believed that yoga originated in India in ancient times. This is evidenced by the oldest written monuments of Indian culture that have come down to us, namely, a collection of the most ancient scriptures in Sanskrit. The Vedas consist of four parts:

However, there is an alternative point of view that India is not the birthplace of yoga, India is the country where the teachings of yoga are best preserved. According to this assumption, yoga was brought to India by representatives of an older civilization. According to legend, the birthplace of yoga is the oldest civilization on Earth - Arctida. This civilization flourished many thousands of years ago on the mainland connecting America and Eurasia. After a global catastrophe, she disappeared into the waters of the Arctic Ocean. The surviving inhabitants of Arctida brought yoga to the priests and initiates of Hittida, Pacifida and Atlantis, and only then yoga came to India and Egypt.

The scientific tradition attributes the separation of the teachings of yoga as an independent system to the legendary Indian sage Patanjali (II-I century BC). Patanjali singled out yoga as an independent system based on the already existing knowledge and experience accumulated by yoga practitioners. In his work, Patanjali expounds the philosophy and practice of yoga, which is now considered classical. According to the tradition of the ancient sages, Patanjali does not claim authorship in creating the philosophical system of yoga. He only collects oral data that has come down to him, and comments on them in the spirit of a single teaching. The philosophical terminology and interpretation of yoga practice given in the Yoga Sutras is also consistent with the authoritative texts of the Vedas and Upanishads.

The philosophical principles of yoga and its worldview are described in detail in the ancient treatise Bhagavad Gita (there is no exact dating, presumably III-I millennium BC). The text of the Gita is a conversation between the god Krishna and the warrior Arjuna before the battle of Kurukshetra, where Krishna teaches Arjuna the science of life.

According to the Bhagavad Gita, "yoga is balance." The ideal of the Gita is not an ascetic from a cave, immersed in deep meditation, but an ordinary person. The yogi should not leave the world, on the contrary, he should remain in it, not deviating from the natural conditions of life and life. It is easy to be enlightened by protecting yourself from the influence of the outside world, but maintaining harmony without succumbing to external temptations is much more difficult. The main conditions: systematic practice and non-attachment to the material. It was this interpretation that made yoga extremely popular in Indian society, and the idea that only selfless activity leads to liberation has survived to this day.

Before the appearance of the mentioned texts (in the 12th century), yoga was known, attributed to a certain Gorakh-nath, who, according to legend, compiled the Goraksha-shataka, a thesis on Hatha yoga.

Yoga and other Eastern teachings

Buddhism never denied yoga, but modified its technology to fit his needs. At the same time, Buddhists equally rejected both the teachings of the Vedas and the yogic philosophical "decoration", but they took a lot from yoga for their spiritual practices.

Most radically changed the classical yoga of Patanjali Tantrism who assimilated a mass of folk cults and superstitions. Beginning around the 6th century CE, he took a leading position in Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism. Tantrics, groping for a correspondence between the cosmos and the body, deeply delved into human physiology, as well as the connection between the body and the psyche.

If in classical yoga liberation was achieved through samadhi, then Tantra provided its adepts with the opportunity to achieve the state of “jivan-mukta” (“liberated during life”) without separation from society.

Yoga is a concept in Indian culture, in a broad sense meaning a set of various spiritual and physical practices developed in different directions of Hinduism and Buddhism and aimed at managing the psyche and psychophysiology of the individual in order to achieve an elevated mental and spiritual state. In a narrower sense, yoga is one of the six orthodox schools(darshan) philosophy of Hinduism. The original goal of yoga is to change the ontological status of a person in the world.

The word "yoga" comes from the Sanskrit root yoj or yuj, which has many semantic meanings: "team", "exercise", "restraint", "connection", "unity", "connection", "harmony", "union", etc. .P. It is first found in the Rig Veda, the oldest surviving monument of Indian literature.

Yoga has existed for so long that we do not know the names of those people who developed this teaching in antiquity. This is probably also due to the fact that in the East, where yoga is best preserved, it was considered immodest to draw attention to one's personality. The ancient sages believed that they only voice the teaching that they draw from the Higher Spheres of the Universe. The names of less recent followers of yoga have come down to us, such as: Patanjali.

Patanjali is the founder of the Yoga philosophical and religious school (darshana) in India in the 2nd century. BC. . He preached the need for pious exercises (asanas, kriyas and pranayama) to exercise control over the activity of the mind and achieve unity of the living spirit with God, attaining the state of Enlightenment or "Maha Samadhi", nirvana. He is considered the author (compiler) of the famous Yoga Sutra, but his role in this regard was reduced to a collection of those that existed long before him. philosophical teachings known type, their presentation and philosophical justification. Patanjali presented his work in the Sutra style.

Some scholars identify him with another Patanjali, a linguist who wrote an extensive commentary on Panini's famous Indian grammar entitled Magabhashya. It is believed that Patanjali lived in the II century. BC. and was a contemporary of Katyayana. In Indian monuments, there are legendary details of his biography: for example, it is said that Patanjali fell from the sky, in the form of a snake into the palm of Panini, which is obviously based on the folk etymology of the name Patanjali (pal = to fall, anjali - palm).

In Indian philosophy, yoga is one of the six orthodox philosophical schools of Hinduism. The philosophical system of yoga is closely related to the Samkhya school. According to the teachings of Patanjali, the yoga school adopts the psychological and metaphysical aspects of Samkhya philosophy and is more theistic compared to Samkhya. An example of the theistic nature of yoga is the fact of adding the Divine Being to the 25 elements of the Samkhya being. Yoga and Samkhya are very close to each other, on this occasion Max Müller said that “the data of philosophy are colloquially called Samkhya with God and Sankhya without God….”

According to myths, the birthplace of yoga is the oldest civilization on Earth - Arctida. This civilization flourished many thousands of years ago on the mainland connecting America and Eurasia. After a global catastrophe, she disappeared into the waters of the Arctic Ocean. The surviving inhabitants of Arctida brought yoga to the priests and initiates of Hittida, Pacifida and Atlantis, and only then yoga came to India and Egypt.

Thousand-year traditions of Indian philosophy, originating from the 15th - 10th centuries. BC. and preserved to the present, arose on the basis of ancient human civilizations.

Archaeological finds allow us to state with certainty that the teachings of yoga were already known 2.5 thousand years BC. It is to this period that images of yogis in characteristic poses, found in excavations of the ancient culture of Moheanjo-Daro, are attributed. However, oral tradition speaks of a much more ancient origin for yoga. At the same time, the esoteric history of yoga, as mentioned above, leads from India back centuries to ancient Egypt, and from it to even more distant legendary civilizations.

A thousand years BC, the Indo-Aryan culture appeared in the Ganges valley. In the Vedic period (from the 15th to the 6th centuries BC), the Vedas appeared in India - the sacred books of Indian sages, and then comments on them - the Upanishads. The Vedas and Upanishads contributed to the development of philosophical thought in India, creating a number of philosophical schools, one of which includes the yoga system. Time passed, and the thought was clothed in action: thus were born the six Brahmanic darshans, the six philosophical systems. Their names are Mimamsa, Vedanta, Sankhya, Yoga, Vaisheshika and Nyaya. However, yoga, considered one of the six traditional systems of Indian philosophy, is recognized by all these philosophical systems as a common method and practical means of understanding the world.

Let us turn to the historical roots, to the origins of the teachings of yoga. The scientific tradition attributes the selection of the teachings of yoga as an independent system to the legendary Indian sage Patanjali (11-1 century BC). Patanjali singled out yoga as an independent system based on the already existing knowledge and experience accumulated by yoga practitioners. In his work "Yoga Sutra" Patanjali expounds the philosophy and practice of yoga, which is now recognized as classical by most researchers, including Russian philosophers. According to the tradition of the ancient sages, Patanjali does not claim authorship in creating the philosophical system of yoga. He only collects oral data that has come down to him and comments on them in the spirit of a single teaching. The philosophical terminology and interpretation of yoga practice given in the Yoga Sutra is also consistent with the authoritative texts of the Vedas and Upanishads.

Yoga is a mind and body practice that has historical roots in ancient Indian philosophy. Various styles combine physical postures, breathing techniques and meditation or relaxation.

In its five thousand year history, it is experiencing a renaissance in modern culture, replacing the loincloth with a swimsuit and a pair of leggings.

Yoga has become popular as a physical exercise based on asanas (physical postures) to promote bodily and mental control and well-being.

• The word "yoga" comes from the Sanskrit root "yuj" which means "to bind or join together".
• A 2008 market study showed that about 16 million people in the United States practice it.
• Most commonly practiced in Western culture is hatha yoga. "Ha" means "sun" and "tha" means "moon".
• There are many styles. The kind practiced should depend on the individual level physical training.
• Many yoga practitioners suffer injuries, among which the most common are sprains of the neck, shoulders, back, legs and knees.
• The American Academy of Orthopedics believes that the benefits of exercise outweigh the potential physical risks.
• It has eight levels or steps: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi.
• The system has many potential health benefits, including easing low back pain, helping control stress, and increasing balance and flexibility.
• There is some evidence that pregnant women who practice yoga are less likely to develop problems in late pregnancy and childbirth.

What is yoga?

Story

There is no written mention of its inventor. Yogis (yoga practitioners) practiced it long before there was any written mention of it. Masters have passed on knowledge to their students for thousands of years. Since yoga spread and gained global popularity, many schools of yoga have developed.

The postures currently practiced were not originally the dominant component traditional yoga in India. Fitness was not traditional main goal practices.

The Yoga Sutra, a 2,000-year-old treatise on yoga philosophy by the Indian sage Patanjali, is a book that provides guidance on how to gain mastery over the mind and emotions and tips for spiritual growth, providing the foundation on which all modern practices are based. It is the earliest written record and one of the most ancient texts in existence.

The postures that are now an integral part of practice in many centers around the world were not originally the dominant component of yoga in India. Fitness was not the main goal; emphasis was placed on other practices such as pranayama (extension vital energy breath), dharana (focusing the mind) and nada (sound).

It began to gain popularity in the West at the end of the 19th century, with an explosion of interest in postural yoga in the 1920s and 1930s, first in India and then in Western countries.

Philosophy

Yoga in ancient times was often expressed in terms of a tree with roots, trunk, branches, flowers and fruits. Each branch has unique characteristics and represents a different approach to life. Six branches of yoga:

• Hatha yoga - the physical and mental branch - includes the practice of asana and pranayama - the preparation of the body and mind.
• Raja yoga - meditation and strict adherence to the "eight steps".
• Karma yoga is a path of service to the conscious creation of a future free from negativity and selfishness caused by our actions.
• Bhatki yoga - the path of devotion - is a positive way to channel your emotions and develop acceptance and tolerance.
• Jnana Yoga is wisdom, the path of knowledge and intelligence through exploration.
• Tantra yoga is a path of ritual, ceremonial relationships.

eight degrees

Raja Yoga is traditionally called Ashtanga Yoga (eight-pointed) because there are 8 aspects of the path to be traversed. Eight limbs of yoga:

• Yama - ethical standards and a sense of integrity. The five yamas are: ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (not stealing), brahmacharya (abstinence) and aparigraha (non-greed).
• Niyama - self-discipline and spiritual rituals, meditative practices, contemplative walks. The five niyama are: shaucha (purity), samtosha (harmony), tapas (warmth, spiritual rigor), svadhyaya (study of sacred texts and oneself) and isvara pranidhana (worship of God).
• Asana is the union of mind and body through physical activity.
• Pranayama is the control of the breath, which leads to the unification of the mind and body.
• Pratyahara is the renunciation of the senses of perception, the external world and external stimuli.
• Dharana is concentration, purposefulness of the mind.
• Dhyana - meditation and contemplation - a continuous flow of concentration.
• Samadhi is a quiet state of blissful awareness.

Chakras

The word chakra means "revolving wheel". From a yoga perspective, chakras are the convergence of energy, thoughts, feelings, and the physical body. They determine the perception of reality from our emotional reactions, our desires and aversions, our level of trust or fear, even the manifestation of physical symptoms.

Chakras determine the perception of reality from our emotional responses, our desires and aversions, our level of trust or fear, even the manifestation of physical symptoms.

When energy is blocked in a chakra, it triggers physical, mental, or emotional imbalances, resulting in symptoms such as anxiety, lethargy, or poor digestion. The theory is to use asanas to release energy and stimulate an imbalanced chakra.

There are seven main chakras, each with its own associations:

1. Sahasrara: The "thousand petals" or "crown chakra" represents a state of pure consciousness. This chakra is located at the top of the head and is indicated by white or purple. The Sahasrara includes matters of inner wisdom and the death of the body.
2. Ajna: The "command" or "third eye chakra" represents the point of contact between two important energy flows in the body. Ajna corresponds to purple, dark blue or indigo, although it is traditionally described as white. The chakra is associated with the pituitary gland, growth and development.
3. Vishuddha: "very pure" or "throat chakra" is symbolized in red or blue. This chakra represents the home of hearing and speech, the endocrine glands that control metabolism.
4. Anahata: The "unaffected" or "heart chakra" is associated with the color green or pink. The main issues associated with anahata include complex emotions, compassion, tenderness, unconditional love, balance, rejection and well-being.
5. Manipura: The "city of pearl" or "navel chakra" is symbolized by the color yellow. This chakra is associated with the digestive system, along with personal power, fear, anxiety, opinion formation, and self-centeredness.
6. Svadhisthana: The "pelvic chakra" is the home of the reproductive organs, the genitourinary system, and the adrenal glands.
7. Muladhara: The "root chakra" is located at the base of the spine in the coccygeal region. It supports our instinctive desires for food, sleep, sex and survival.

Types

Modern forms of yoga have evolved into exercises focusing on strength, flexibility and breathing in order to increase physical and mental well-being. There are many styles, none of which is superior to the other. The choice of type depends on your fitness level.

A yoga class should be chosen based on your fitness level and experience.

Types and styles may include:

• Ashtanga yoga: based on ancient teachings, but popularized in the 1970s; each of the six established sequences of postures quickly associates any movement with the breath.
• Bikram yoga: held in artificially heated to 38-40 ° C rooms with a relative humidity of 40%; bikram is a series of 26 roses and a sequence of two breathing exercises
• Hatha yoga: general term for any type of yoga that teaches physical postures; as a rule, this is a cautious introduction to the main points.
• Iyengar yoga: focuses on finding the right alignment in every posture; for this he uses blocks, belts, chairs and rollers.
• Jivamukti yoga: "liberation in life". Jivamukti originated in 1984 incorporating spiritual techniques and the practice of the vinyasa style. Each class has a theme which is taught through scripture, chanting, meditation, asana, pranayama and music.
• Kripalu Yoga: Teaches practitioners to recognize, accept and explore the body. Each student discovers their own level of practice. Classes usually begin with breathing exercises and gentle stretches, followed by a series of individual positions and final relaxation.
• Kundalini Yoga: The word "kundalini" in Sanskrit means "flexible like a snake." This is a system of meditation aimed at releasing the energy of the kundalini. The session usually begins and ends with singing, and in between are asana, pranayama and meditation, designed to achieve a certain result.
• Power Yoga: An active and athletic style adapted from the traditional Ashtanga system in the late 1980s.
• Prenatal yoga: positions carefully adapted for expectant mothers. Prenatal yoga is designed to help women through all stages of pregnancy or to help get back in shape after giving birth.
• Restorative yoga: relaxing method; classes use 4-5 positions using blankets and rollers to immerse yourself in deep relaxation without making any effort to maintain the posture.
• Sivananda: A system based on the five-point philosophy that proper breathing, relaxation, nutrition, exercise and positive thinking work together to form healthy lifestyle life. Usually 12 basic asanas are used.
• Vinyasa yoga: Vinyasa classes are known for their fluid practices with intense movements. Classes are often accompanied by choreography to smoothly transition from one pose to another.
• Viniyoga: designed to be adapted to every individual, regardless of physical ability; Viniyoga teachers are well trained and experts in anatomy and yoga therapy.
• Yin: A calm, meditative practice also called Taoist yoga. Yin yoga allows you to release tension in key joints: ankles, knees, hips, spine, neck and shoulders. Yin postures are passive, meaning the muscles are relaxed and allow gravity to do its work.

Benefit for health

Scientific studies of varying quality have been published on the health benefits of yoga and its medical applications. Studies have shown that it is safe and effective method increase physical capabilities, especially strength, flexibility and balance. However, can the practice of yoga be useful in diseases? Below are the medical evidence and the results of modern scientific research.

Scientists and physicians conducting research related to yoga are focusing on its potential ability to prevent, treat, or alleviate certain diseases, such as heart disease, increased blood pressure, carpal tunnel syndrome, asthma, diabetes mellitus and menopausal symptoms, and its benefits in relieving stress and combating chronic disease or disability.

Anxiety and depression

Yoga is one of the most common ways used to deal with depression.

A 9-week course in veterans significantly reduced anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. Functional mental status scores also improved, although pain intensity and physical health showed no positive developments.

Yoga can be an effective way to reduce anxiety and even prevent future anxiety.

An increase in blood cortisol levels is well known in depression, and yoga has been shown to reduce stress parameters, including them. Research has shown that it can act at the level of the hypothalamus to lower cortisol levels and alleviate depression.

Scientific evidence suggests that yoga can be recommended as an adjunct treatment for patients with depressive disorders and people with elevated levels of depression.

Professional musicians often suffer from high levels stress, anxiety and musculoskeletal disorders. Given the fact that most of them started playing music before the age of 12, it is important to identify methods that will be aimed at solving these problems from a very young age.

Research has shown that yoga can be an effective way to reduce anxiety, and even prevent it in the future, in teenagers. These findings also point to a new treatment that could potentially ease anxiety and prevent the end of a musical career.

Arthritis

Scientific studies have found positive changes in the psychological and physiological outcomes associated with arthritis.

Asthma

Asthmatics who practice yoga have improvements in the proportion of hemoglobin and the antioxidant superoxide and a decrease in total white blood cell count. They have better biochemical parameters. Research results have shown that it can be practiced as an adjunctive treatment in combination with standard inhalation therapy in order to improve outcomes.

Balance and falls

In the elderly, falls are a global problem. Although it is not a necessary part of aging, older people are more prone to falls, which are one of the leading causes of death and disability.

Yoga helps improve coordination and prevent falls in the elderly.

Yoga and tai chi have been shown to be effective in improving coordination and preventing falls in the elderly. They can also relieve pain and improve quality of life.

Bipolar disorder

In patients with bipolar disorder, it has a positive emotional impact, reduces anxiety, has positive cognitive and physical effects. The most common effect of yoga was physical damage or pain.

Cognitive problems in breast cancer

Cancer patients often have cognitive problems. In addition, a decrease in physical activity usually occurs during cancer treatment.

Yoga can effectively reduce cognitive problems in patients with breast cancer.

Disability in breast cancer

Secondary arm lymphedema continues to develop in at least 20% of women after breast cancer treatment. It is characterized by pain and limitation of movement, which requires lifelong professional therapy and self-treatment.

An eight-week course of yoga reduced the hardening of the tissues of the affected arm and reduced the intensity of the symptoms. The volume of the arm with lymphedema and extracellular fluid did not increase. These benefits did not last after the sessions were discontinued.

Fatigue associated with cancer

Research has shown that yoga may be helpful in reducing cancer-related fatigue in women with breast cancer.

Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms seen in cancer survivors. It often has pronounced long-term consequences. Research shows that yoga can have an invigorating effect on physical and mental energy and can improve fatigue levels through this.

Cardiovascular diseases

A sedentary lifestyle and stress are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Since yoga consists of exercise and a mindset that helps reduce stress, it may be effective for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. It can be used as an additional method of prevention in the general population and in patients at increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Chronic neck pain

Yoga classes for 9 weeks for chronic non-specific neck pain led to an improvement in the condition for at least 12 months after the end of the program.

Chronic heart failure

There is an assumption that yoga classes have a positive effect on oxygen uptake and the quality of life of patients.

Yoga can be included in a cardiac rehabilitation program. The study showed that adding exercise to standard medical care in patients with heart failure improved cardiac function and reduced myocardial stress in patients with stable heart failure.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Yoga classes have a positive effect on improving lung function and tolerance to physical activity and can be used as an additional method of a pulmonary rehabilitation program in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Flexibility

Yoga classes significantly increase the flexibility of the erector spinae and hamstring muscles.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Regular and right occupation yoga combined with antisecretory drugs (proton pump inhibitors) can control severe symptoms of GERD and avoid or delay the need for surgery.

Hypertonic disease

Yoga can be part of physical activity in the treatment and prevention of hypertension, showing encouraging results.

Lower back pain

Some research suggests that yoga may be effective for chronic low back pain and that yoga may be helpful in reducing pain and using medications.

Studies have shown that a six-week yoga course is an effective early treatment for non-specific low back pain.

Researchers suggest that one of the main factors mediating yoga's positive effects on chronic low back pain is brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

Comparative studies show that yoga provides greater pain relief and improved quality of life than a regular exercise program.

Scientists agree that yoga can be an effective complementary therapy for chronic low back pain.

Menopause

Researchers believe yoga is an effective complementary therapy useful to women suffering from menopausal symptoms.

mental health

Physical activity has a positive impact on mental health and well-being. Yoga improves self-esteem and body image, reduces fatigue and symptoms of depression.

metabolic syndrome

The metabolic syndrome is medical term describing the combination of diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure and obesity. Regular yoga practice can mitigate the effects of metabolic syndrome.

Migraine

Classes lead to a significant decrease in the frequency and intensity of migraines. Scientists believe that they can be effectively included in the treatment of migraine. Yoga, in combination with pharmacological treatment, is an effective way to improve vascular function in these patients.

mother and child

Mother and child yoga classes are becoming more and more popular in postpartum period. With their help, the mother connects with her child and relaxes.

Postpartum classes help strengthen muscles pelvic floor and abdomen, as well as relieve pain in the neck and back, strengthen the connection with the child.

Postpartum yoga can bring calm and a sense of well-being by helping moms improve and stabilize their emotional health and bond with their baby. In addition, mothers can focus on their relationship with the child, restore weakened pelvic muscles, strengthen abdominal muscles and even relieve neck and back pain. In infants, activities can aid digestion and relieve colic, help strengthen tiny limbs, improve sleep, and enhance their ability to interact with mom and others.

oxidative stress

Hypertension, especially in the elderly, is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Oxidative stress contributes to the development of hypertension.

Yoga is an effective way to reduce oxidative stress and improve antioxidant defenses in elderly people with hypertension.

post-traumatic stress

It significantly reduces the intensity of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and improves the functionality of traumatized people.

Pregnancy

Exercises are used for various immunological, neuromuscular, psychological and pain conditions. Recent studies have shown that it may be effective method improving the course of pregnancy, childbirth and birth outcomes.

It can help reduce stress levels, improve quality of life, and improve labor comfort, intensity, and duration of pain.

Breathing and meditation techniques contribute to the health and relaxation of expectant mothers, maintain focus on helping childbirth. In order to help optimal placement of the fetus, certain postures are chosen.

The results of a survey on the effectiveness of physical exercises, including yoga, during pregnancy:

• 86% of women answered that exercise during pregnancy is beneficial;
• 83% think it's good to start exercising before pregnancy
• 62% believe that walking is the most beneficial form of exercise;
• 64% reported that they did exercise during pregnancy;
• 51% exercised 2-3 times a week;
• 65% believe that yoga is beneficial;
• 40% tried yoga before pregnancy.

Yoga reduces the physical and physiological symptoms of anxiety. Prenatal classes are useful in reducing women's fears of childbirth and preventing depressive symptoms from worsening.

Prenatal yoga can improve mood and reduce postpartum symptoms of depression.

Scientists believe that exercise can reduce stress levels, the intensity and duration of labor pain, improve quality of life, interpersonal relationships, autonomic function nervous system and comfort.

restless leg syndrome

Syndrome tired legs This is a common and very painful sleep disorder.

When practicing yoga, there is a decrease in the severity of the symptoms of this syndrome. People also experienced significant improvements in sleep, stress perception, and mood.

Dream

The increase in age is associated with physiological changes that affect sleep. In the elderly, undiagnosed and untreated insomnia can impair daily activities and quality of life. Insomnia is also a risk factor for accidents and falls, which are the leading cause of accidental deaths in the elderly.

Yoga classes improved a number of subjective factors, including:

• Overall sleep quality
• Sleep efficiency;
• sleep duration;
• Own assessment of sleep quality;
• Fatigue;
• General well-being;
• Depression;
• Anxiety;
• Stress;
• tension;
• Anger;
• Viability;
• Physical, emotional and social state.

Yoga safely improves sleep and quality of life in older adults with insomnia.

stress management

Exercise can be helpful for managing stress.

Research shows that yoga classes at school can help manage stress and improve children's behavior.

Children and young people in modern world face many expectations and constant stimulation through the Internet and other media and communication technologies. One of the reasons why children are stressed and have mental health reasons is that globalization is exposing the youth of the world to various new demands, standards and options. Scientists have found that yoga can help children and young people cope with stress and promote life balance, well-being and mental health.

Urinary incontinence

Yoga reduces inflammation and may help improve urinary incontinence symptoms, improving quality of life.

Body weight control

Both yoga and walking significantly reduce body mass index, waist and hip circumference, improve muscle mass and body fluids, and reduce total blood cholesterol levels. Improve anthropometric data and blood lipid profile in overweight and obese people.

Risks and side effects

Yoga is generally safe for healthy people when performed correctly under the guidance of an experienced instructor.

Injuries are an infrequent obstacle to continuing activities, and severe injuries are rare.

Yoga should never replace traditional medical treatment. If you have a medical condition, check with your doctor before starting classes.

Pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure, glaucoma, and sciatica should modify or avoid certain yoga postures.

Beginners should avoid some difficult activities such as headstands, lotus posture, and power breathing.

People with medical conditions should consult with their doctor and yoga teacher in order to properly adapt postures; patients with glaucoma should avoid inverted positions, and patients with weakened bone tissue strength exercises should be avoided.

Do not replace traditional medical treatment with yoga or postpone a visit to the doctor. If you have an illness, please consult with your specialist before starting classes.

Publication date: 2015-10-23
Last modified: 2020-01-31

Dear visitors of the site Farmamir. This article is not medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with a physician.