(Opinion article)

Nowadays, more and more people are getting keen on yoga. They prefer this kind of physical exercises to conventional one. In my opinion, that`s because of the fact that yoga not only trains you physically but mentally too.

Yoga originated in India between the third and fourth millennia BC. It was until this period that the printing of images of people in yoga poses found on the banks of the Indus River was restored.

Modern yoga has many directions and styles. The main ones are: Vinyasa yoga, Hatha yoga, Iyengar yoga, Kundalini yoga, Ashtanga yoga, Bikram yoga, Yin yoga, Restorative yoga.

Yoga consists of three parts – initial, basic and final. Their specificity depends on the chosen direction of yoga. The lesson can begin by chanting a mantra, a short relaxation or warm-up. It is important for a beginner to closely monitor what the teacher is doing and try not to miss small details. The main part usually includes practice exercises. While performing asanas, you need to listen to your feelings and stop performing the exercise if you suddenly feel pain or severe discomfort. At the end of the lesson, disciples lie on mats with their eyes closed, performing the so-called “corpse pose” – shavasana. It allows you to achieve the highest relaxation and regain strength after exercises. The duration of shavasana depends on the chosen style of yoga.

While practicing yoga, you are concentrating on your inner feelings and clearing your mind. However, there are quite a few other benefits of yoga.

Getting rid of back and joint pain. Yoga has a whole set of exercises that have a relaxing and toning effect on our body. It is proved that the effectiveness in the fight against back and joint pain is comparable to the use of drugs;

Posture improvement. Yoga has a strengthening effect on the muscular corset. Your posture improves, your gait becomes more confident;

Acceleration of metabolism and weight loss. In yoga, there are special exercises aimed at improving the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and, as a consequence, speed up metabolism. Yoga cannot be attributed to rapid ways to lose weight. However, regular yoga promotes gradual weight loss;

Purification of the body. Regular yoga practice helps to train the internal organs. It improves digestion and stimulates the excretion of toxins from the body;

Increased immunity. Exercise activates lymph circulation, restores the internal balance of organs and improves the body’s resistance to infections and bacteria;

Improving mental abilities. Meditation during yoga stimulates mental activity, improves memory and trains concentration. Exercises help to improve blood flow and enrich the brain with oxygen.

The best part is that you can do yoga if you are 8 or 88. The age doesn`t matter because there are asanas for every age group.

To sum up, Yoga is not just a set of exercises. This is, first of all, a wise gymnastics and a special philosophy that changes the worldview, leads to a change in behavior, changes habits and penetrates into all spheres of life. And if you try it, there is a high risk of becoming a yoga-fan.