| Yoga has become part of Western fitness training | | | | focussed or joined to an integral viewpoint. |
| techniques. However, there are some who have | | | | In a more general sense, the Eastern science of |
| never tried it, relegating it as a hippie trend from the | | | | body-mind interaction further implies that all diseases |
| 60's. Those individuals would rather look at their | | | | of the body can be cured through the power of |
| flexed bicep in the mirror at their gym. They look for | | | | yoga. Yoga is not just about the physical body. Yoga |
| the feedback loop from that experience which gives | | | | incorporates many mental techniques for gaining |
| them the feeling of "working out". This is definitely | | | | command over the physical body. Breathing exercises |
| the group they want to be in. They consider | | | | were developed to gain control over one's own mind. |
| themselves the hard core fitness enthusiasts and | | | | Many different breathing exercises were developed in |
| label yoga as something for women in white leotards. | | | | order to produce different physical results. All of |
| Is there any truth to this? | | | | them have warnings attached to them for special |
| The answer lies in a more general definition of fitness. | | | | populations. In fact physical yogic positions or asanas |
| We need to step back and look at the big picture. | | | | are also limiting to certain special populations. Each |
| Those who participate in any kind of exercise, do so | | | | such exercise needs to be taught in more detail to |
| to improve their physical fitness level. There is also | | | | participants, rather than in a haphazard way as a |
| the benefit of feeling good, mentally and emotionally. | | | | general method for fitness to all populations. The |
| Fitness satisfies the needs of the body, mind and | | | | exceptions should be understood so that people do |
| spirit. It is a great feedback loop to make the human | | | | not experience negative effects from the yoga |
| being better able to handle the world around them. | | | | asanas. It is therefore important to have a teacher |
| Traditional Western fitness methodologies have | | | | who is aware of contraindicated populations for all |
| addressed the need for cardiovascular improvements, | | | | exercises. This information is well known for |
| benefits from resistance training and stretching. | | | | traditional resistance training, but is not taught to |
| Cardiovascular methods are defined by those | | | | populations studying yoga. |
| activities which increase the heart rate to a specified | | | | The beauty of yoga is its absolute dependence on |
| zone and keep it there for the duration of the | | | | nothing but the human being. No external equipment |
| activity, a minimum of 20 minutes. These activities | | | | is necessary. However, it is important to focus the |
| include running, walking, cycling, swimming, and hiking | | | | body and mind in an integrated way. Ultimately, ones |
| as natural activities. When weather or other | | | | spiritual energy is awakened. The person is better |
| conditions do not permit outside activity, machines | | | | able to interact with the world in a more efficient |
| can be utilised such as cross-trainers, treadmills and | | | | way. This is the goal of yoga. |
| stationary bikes. | | | | In those cases, where the teacher does not |
| All training that is carried on in Western style fitness | | | | understand yoga properly, negative effects can |
| programs are based on physical reactions to external | | | | occur. In the previously discussed case, the special |
| stimuli. If your mind is not focussed on the exercise, | | | | populations need to be considered. The second |
| there is still some benefit to the actions alone. | | | | problem with incorrect or incomplete information lies |
| However, all fitness enthusiasts are constantly | | | | in the release of latent energy through the practice |
| reminded that they need to be focussed on the | | | | of breathing exercises and physical and mental |
| activity to obtain the greatest benefit from it. Lifting | | | | practices. One's internal spiritual energy is latent, |
| a weight still has its physical implications if the action | | | | active or energised. If the energy is not released |
| is carried out as if one were on auto-pilot. | | | | properly, or is not directed properly, or is released |
| Yoga was invented to bring the human being to the | | | | from an incorrect area of the body, very detrimental |
| same goal of achieving fitness through a different | | | | effects will occur in the person. |
| approach. The word Yoga means joining in Sanskrit. | | | | It is in the best interests of all yoga students to |
| The science of yoga aims to join the disparate body, | | | | seek the advice and instruction of a recognized |
| mind and spirit into an integrated human being who is | | | | professional from a school such as Swami |
| better able to interact with the outside world in a | | | | Vivekananda Yoga Institute (SVYASA) which carries |
| more efficient manner. The practice was invented in | | | | out research in yoga in a scientific way. It is |
| India, 5000 years ago and was developed into a | | | | recognized for its technical research by medical |
| science by observing the effects of various body | | | | institutions all over the world. |
| and mind states on the overall human being. In yoga, | | | | Yoga is not just for hippies or women in white |
| one must be focussed or the effects are simply not | | | | leotards. Care should be taken not to fall into the |
| there. The mind acts on the physical body and it | | | | trap of someone else's mere idea of fitness, rather |
| responds in turn. In order to improve the state of | | | | than a thoroughly researched 5000 year old body of |
| the being, then, both body and mind must be | | | | verified knowledge. |