If you have been to a yoga class you might have been involved with chanting the sound Om. When a group of people chant this sound and all the voices find a resonance together a beautiful feeling is created. The benefits of chanting come through participation because it is something that has to be experienced to be understood. However, you may be wondering what this word is all about and why it is chanted so often, before you feel comfortable belting it out in a yoga class.
The journey of the spirit is a personal one. Yet at the same time the evolution of the soul has a path which is universal to all sentient beings. We can benefit from the experience and understanding gained by those who have walked the path before us. For those who are interested in personal evolution, spiritual awakening or enlightenment it is extremely helpful to have a basic understanding of the chakras. They represent stages in our development, different levels of consciousness and spiritual maturity.
I recently took a trip home to be with my family. During that time I hardly did my yoga practice at all. It does not take long for me to start feeling the effects of stress creeping back into my body when I don’t practice: tense shoulders, a cranky spine, stiff neck, poor digestion and elimination, low energy and mood just to name a few! Yoga helps with all of these conditions and more.
Here in the 21st century we live in a stressful world. The stressors are all around, from sitting for long periods of time in chairs, driving in traffic, electromagnetic stress from cell phones and computers, taking in stressful images on television, and just observing the state of the world; what is happening economically, politically, socially and to the environment. All of this stress whether it is physical, mental or spiritual accumulates in our bodies. Yoga can very effectively help reduce the effects of stress on the body, mind and spirit.
Yoga has always captivated me from the beginning. It is a fabulous system for keeping the body healthy, free of stress, flexible, strong and balanced. It works just as well on the mind, helping one to focus, be present, clear, one pointed and stable. These two aspects would be reason enough to get on the mat everyday. Yet there is more, much more to this ancient art and science. There is also the whole universe of the Spirit; the mystical union with Source Energy to know and explore.
Yoga postures are ancient and are designed to open the body and alleviate discomfort in the body so that you can sit comfortably for long periods of time in meditation. Different postures have different effects on the body, mind and spirit. It is helpful to have a basic idea of what each grouping of postures can do for you. Ideally you want a well rounded practice with all of the elements and each group practiced whether that is practicing each group in each session or one or two groups a session and balancing out the groups throughout the week.
Standing Postures help to build strength and endurance through out the whole body particularly in the legs. They help to increase the flexibility of the entire body again with an emphasis on the legs. They are a very good preparation for all the other postures. They can also help with balance and a feeling of being stable and grounded.
Balance Postures quite obviously help one gain balance, grace and poise while at the same time increasing strength and flexibility of the entire body. They are also a great aid in gaining focus. For in practicing them you have to be alert and present otherwise you will fall out. It can be instant feedback to what is happening in the mind.
