Yoga was practised in India 4,000 years ago and has inspired people all over the world ever since. So what is the secret to the success of these meditative relaxation exercises?
Many people try yoga because they want to improve their flexibility, others try it to treat their back or to find their own centre. Yoga is a holistic system that consists of the following five principles.
Proper relaxation
The mind drives matter. But it also works the other way round, so one thing is certain: if we succeed in freeing our muscles from tension, our mind also relaxes. Proper relaxation awakens incredible reserves of energy, helps to shake off fears and worries and thus makes a significant contribution to our health.
Correct exercises
The individual yoga exercises (asanas) have an effect on the whole body. The spine and joints remain flexible and the individual muscles are strengthened. The exercises not only have a stimulating effect on the circulation, but also on the glands and internal organs.
Correct breathing
Many people breathe shallowly and superficially, which means they only use a small part of their lungs and feel tired and exhausted. Correct yoga breathing, consisting of abdominal, chest and collarbone breathing, ensures that the whole body is adequately supplied with oxygen. In addition to yoga breathing, there are also special breathing exercises that help us to gain control over our prana (life energy). Yoga breathing (pranayama) revitalises the body, calms the emotions and creates clarity.
Proper nutrition
The diet of yogis is simple: fresh, light and nutritious food made from fruit, grains and vegetables. These foods provide the body with ‘first-hand energy’ and keep it slim and agile. The mind is cleansed and calmed.
Positive thinking and meditation
The goal of meditation is the inner peace of the soul. Meditation is the practice of constant observation of the mind. It teaches us to concentrate the mind on one point and calm it down. The mind is guided from constant movement to a state of rest and its attention is focussed inwards on the self.
To put it in a nutshell: Yoga is based on the teaching: ‘Live simply and think nobly.’