The ethical discipline^®

The mind body experience is what distinguishes yoga from conventional exercises, promoting fitness from inside out. Mental toughness over sheer physical strength is important. Yoga is more a work-in than a workout.1

What really makes yoga different is the mental focus and attention that we bring to bear on the body - the stream of attention we focus as we do the posture. The result is a toning up of both the mind and the body. In adopting and maintaining a posture there is a coordination between the nervous system and the muscular system involving various groups of muscles that are controlled by a certain & unique reflex system, which sets up a kind of tone in the body and influences the physical and mental behaviour. 2

Yogic exercises are easier than aerobics and weight training.

They need no special place or equipment

They are a slow dynamic and static movement.

There is low risk of injury of muscles and ligaments.

They involve minimized effort; you spend much less energy.

Yogic postures tone up both the body and the mind whereas physical exercises affect mainly the body.

Yogic practices are of a static nature. Static stretching is safer than dynamic.

Yogic postures result in static stretching which actually is very effective in removing cramps and preventing soreness. (1)

Yogic postures and breathing exercises unlike physical exercises do not strain the cardiovascular system and improve physical fitness and endurance. They are useful for the body as well as for the mind. They change the reactions of the body to the day to day tensions which are so rampant today.

Physical exercises are repetitive movements, whereas Yogic exercises involve very little movement and are only postures, which are to be maintained for a period of time.

The basic differences between Yogic postures or asanas, and physical exercises are:

1. While yogic postures tone up both the body and the mind, physical exercises affect mainly the body.

2. The postures involve concentration on certain parts of the body, and, therefore, the result is a toning up of both the mind and the body.

3. In yogic postures you spend much less energy than you would in physical exercises. Yogic postures when maintained for a definite period help to conserve energy and give a feeling of relaxation and exhilaration.

It is a comprehensive system to keep the body fit and mind alert.  

How does Yoga affect us on a purely physical level? (3)

The muscular system is the one we are usually most aware of when we do the poses. Even the muscles that we do not know much about are involved.

The yoga postures concentrate on a deep stretching movement. Muscles are given a gentle, controlled stretch, without any strain. They are thus able to extend gradually and safely. A flexible muscle is also a strong, well-toned muscle.

Regular practice will delay the ageing process by keeping muscles and ligaments moving.

The skeleton system also benefits. As the muscles loosen and stretch, so do the ligaments, which hold the bones in place. Instead of being held rigidly, under pressure, the bones become freed to move back into a more natural alignment. This is especially so in the case of the spinal vertebrae, as many of the yoga postures work directly on the spinal column.

The circulatory system improves through regular deep breathing. Yoga helps you become more aware of your breath, even when you are not doing the breathing exercises. The inverted postures enhance blood circulation, reversing the venous blood flow and also improve lymph drainage.

The digestive system is helped by the internal massaging action which some of the postures perform on the organs.

The nervous and endocrine systems are affected. Yoga’s concentration on the spine, through which the major nerve pathways flow, helps to control nervous energy.

Yogason follows the Yoga system by bringing home the message that the main purpose of Yoga is to cultivate the Mind.

Life & Yoga

Leben und Yoga

Yoga & You

1. Yoga & Other exercises

1A. Benefits in English

1B. in  French

1C. in German

PLAY YOGASON  MUSIC

YOGA PHILOSOPHY

1.Introduction to Yoga

1A. Yoga Origin

1B. Yoga Psychology

1C. Yoga Concentration

2. Body & Mind

2A. Socrates et al

2B. Descartes et al

PRODUCT

Description in English

Description Francaise

Deutsche Beschreibung

E-MAIL: amit.ray@freesurf.ch

1. The Union of Mind, Body, and Spirit - by Stacey Estabrooks (in WebMDHealth)

2. Yoga and Heart - by Dr. K. K. Datey, et al

3. Principles of Yoga by Cheryl Isaacson.