Lifestyle

Yoga : Importance of Yoga in Young Generation

Health Culture in the form of Yoga

AUTHOR : SHOBHIT KUMAR

As I am a yoga practitioner & yoga instructor, I want to first introduce yoga to all the readers. Yoga is a Sanskrit word derived from the Sanskrit root “yuj” which means to connect, join or balance. There are many definitions of Yoga, which apply to all levels of existence and awareness. At the physical level, we need to harmonize the functions of different organs, muscles and nerves so that they do not hamper or oppose each other. Disharmony in various body parts and systems brings about inefficiency and lethargy or clumsiness. Moreover, it manifests in diseases in the body.

The Bhagwad Gita, a very widely known classical text on Yoga, gives various definitions of Yoga.

1. Yoga is equanimity of mind in success and failure.
2. Yoga is discretion in work.
3. Yoga is the remover of misery and destroyer of pain. 
4. Yoga is the supreme secret of life.
5. Yoga is serenity.
6. Yoga is the giver of infinite happiness. Patanjali, the author of the classical Yoga text, The Yoga Sutras, defines Yoga as, “complete control over patterns or modifications of the mind.”

In other words, Yoga is a way of life; it is not removed from it. We do not need to feel disappointed or frustrated considering our limitations with regard to physical health; shape and size of the body; lack of time; lack of space or unavailability of a teacher. Yoga, in fact, is the means to overcome all these problems. Yoga includes every aspect of life. Yoga touches everything in life. All healing methods and meditations are part and parcel of Yoga. Yoga is like the sun itself, which brightens everything that comes into contact with it.

There is a broad variety of yoga schools, practices, and goals in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. The term “Yoga” in the Western world often denotes a modern form of Hath yoga and yoga as exercise, consisting largely of the postures or asana. And, nowadays, Yoga is considered as a health & fitness science.

Now, let us discuss the Importance of Yoga in the Young Generation. The present-day metro children are facing challenges which were probably very uncommon 30-40 years back. Common in the list are childhood obesity, increased incidence of psychological problems, issues with concentration and attention, anxiety, depression, various psychosomatic disorders, asthma. I did some research on this subject during my Bachelors in University of Patanjali and came across a lot of published scientific evidence which indicates that yoga may prevent and add on to early recovery of a good number of above-mentioned ailments. Studies have shown that yoga increases working efficiency, and overall ability to concentrate and focus. Yoga fosters relaxation and breathing in a very active way, enabling children to channel their energy into goal-driven tasks. Yoga can also have an impact on stress management and obesity (also as a part of physical exercise). Research has shown that educational curricula incorporating stress- management programs improve academic performance, self-esteem, classroom behavior, concentration and emotional balance. Additional potential benefits for school-aged children include improved concentration and self-esteem.

Let me tell you some amazing benefits of yoga in schools. School and college-going students may have youth on their side, but that does not mean they are spared from the stresses and pressures of life. So, let’s talk about the benefits of yoga in schools. Reduces stress and anxiety, improves memory and attention span, helps to manage weight, improves flexibility, balance and posture, teaches correct breathing techniques, promotes mindfulness, encourages self-love and self-care, helps to bring peace of mind, improves self-control, reduces absences and violence in school, boosts immunity and improves physical appearance, improves the quality of sleep, increases self-confidence and self-esteem. In this period, when cases of suicide & depression in student life are so common yoga is very much important. 

Hatha Yoga

“Hatha Yoga is the science of using the body to prepare oneself for the ultimate possibility”-Sadhguru. Hatha Yoga works on five principles to find the ultimate possibility in your life. Which are proper exercise, proper breathing, proper relaxation, proper diet, positive thinking and meditation?

The 12 basic asanas have more meaning than just the postures or stretching your body. 

It activates the chakras which are the pranic energy channels along with increasing the flexibility of the spine, stimulating the immune system and strengthening each body part. Moreover, it also helps to alleviate diabetes, arthritis, stress-related diseases and sexual disorders. Regular practice of these 12 poses ensures to bring a physical, mental and spiritual equilibrium in your body.

Hatha Yoga Sequence (According to Sivananda Yoga, which is a very well known author) let’s practice the 12 basic asanas to live with a sense of divinity, spirituality and stress-free life.

• Headstand (Sirsasana), this is a balancing asana, this asana is also known as the king of all asanas. In this pose one places his palms on the floor & goes upside down. Headstand flushes fresh nutrients and oxygen to the face, creating a glowing effect on the skin. Due to the increase in the blood flow and nutrients into your head and scalp, hair fall gets reduced. Since the adrenal glands are also flushed and detoxified with the regular practice of this pose, you can create positive thoughts. Depression, stress, and anxiety will reduce as you get upside down and a smile will come to your face. This pose develops strong core muscles and eliminates chances of strokes.

• Shoulders stand (Sarvangasana) – this is a balancing asana but, in this asana one lays on the floor and raises his legs and lifts his lower body up to his shoulder and gives support to the lifted body by palms. In Intermediate yoga poses in which the whole body is balanced on your shoulders. Sarvangasana is also called the mother or queen of all asanas since it is one of the oldest asanas and addresses every organ and chakra in your body. This asana helps to cure sinusitis, asthma, infertility and relieves the symptoms of menopause. It stimulates thyroid glands, parathyroid glands, the abdominal organs and helps to relieve stress, depression and calms your brain.

• Plough Pose (Halasana)– this is a front bending & an inverted back-stretching pose which provides your entire back with a good stretch and brings flexibility and strength to your back muscles. In this pose, one lies down on the ground on his back, lifts his legs till his hips and then touches the floor near his shoulder. It is an advanced posture of Sarvangasana. It stimulates the reproductive organs, thyroid glands and strengthens the immune system of our body. This pose helps women during menopause. Moreover, it provides flexibility to the spine and is effective for weight loss also.

• Fish Pose (Matsyasana) – This is a back-bending sleeping pose that opens the chest, throat, abdomen and helps to cure thyroid disorders. It is an advanced posture of padmasana, after padmasana, lay down on your back and hold your both toes and raise your waist upside down and make a shape like a fish or ‘D’ shape. Regular practicing of this pose can be a great way to regain balance and flexibility of your neck and spine. It also helps to relieve constipation and menstrual pain.

• Sitting Forward Bend Pose (Paschimottanasana) – This is a sitting & front bending pose which is very helpful. It helps to calm your mind and relieve stress. This pose is generally practiced later in a sequence when the body gets warmed. Regular practice of this asana gives your entire body a good stretch and is effective for diabetes and high blood pressure.

• Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)– This is a back-bending yoga pose, this pose one lays down on her chest and palms near his shoulders, then the practitioner raises his body up to waist balancing his upper body on his palms. This asana stretches muscles in the shoulders, chest, and abdominals and opens up the neck, and tones the abdomen and buttocks. It increases the flexibility of the spine and stimulates abdominal organs and thus improves digestion. This pose heals the diseases and awakens Kundalini which is the divine cosmic energy that brings self-realization.

• Locust Pose (Shalabhasana) – An intermediate backbend pose, this intermediate asana can be gone up to a very advanced level. In this pose one lies down on his chest and then raises both legs up to waist. This asana provides your entire back with a good stretch and brings flexibility and strength to your back. This pose stretches out your spine, chest and helps to feel more energized. It stimulates internal organs and enhances blood circulation in the body.

• Bow Pose (Dhanurasana) – This is a back-stretching pose, which looks like a bow. In this pose lays down then catches his ankle bone and raises upper & lower body altogether. This asana helps to stimulate the reproductive organs and relieves the menstrual discomfort with regular practice. It strengthens the back and abdominal muscles, tones legs, arm muscles and helps to open up your neck, chest, and shoulders. The function of liver, pancreas, intestine problems and diabetes can be improved with the practice of this pose.

• Half Spinal Twist Pose (Ardha Matsyendrasana) – A powerful seated twist pose which provides various benefits for the entire body. When you twist your body in this pose, it increases the flexibility of your spine, relaxes the nervous system and calms our brain, tones the abdominal organs and improves digestion. This asana brings many benefits to your body, mind and soul.

• Crow Pose (Kakasana) or Peacock Pose (Mayurasana) – An arm balance pose which requires strength in arms and shoulders to perform this asana. Kakasana strengthens the muscles of the arm, cores and promotes a good posture. It also tones and strengthens the upper arms, forearms, abdominal muscles and wrists.

And rest of some simple asana Standing Forward Bend (Padahastasana) and Triangle Pose (Trikonasana).

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