When Taking Up Yoga Ann Arbor MI Residents Opt For A Healthier Lifestyle

By Henry Powell


Asana, a philosophy developed by Swami Vivekananda and better known as yoga was first introduced to the United States and Canada during a tour by the Indian philosopher. His holistic views on life, as expressed by his philosophy, immediately appealed to people and quickly spread to every country in the world. Today there are millions of people practicing Asana and its popularity keeps on growing. By taking up yoga Ann Arbor MI residents hope to improve the quality of their lives.

Asana has no religious undertones, as many people still tend to think. It is not a sect either and it is not a mystic Eastern philosophy born from disciplines such as Buddhism. It is not merely a lot of exercises and poses either, as many others seem to think. Instead, it is a holistic philosophy that has as its aim to improve the minds, spirits and bodies of practitioners.

There are indeed many stretching exercises and poses involved in Asana. Their purpose, however, is to help practitioners to focus and to concentrate and they are not the main purpose of the philosophy at all. There are various versions of Asana and the exercises and poses used in these various versions differ, ranging from more physically demanding to a greater focus on introspection and spiritual growth.

It is interesting to note that Asana shuns any element of competition. No practitioner is ever urged to master new exercises or poses. Classes consist of individuals at various levels of proficiency which makes it possible for entire families to attend the same class. Many practitioners are happy with mastering only the basic poses and exercises while others are eager to progress much faster.

Asana has been studied intensively, especially in regards to its potential for improving the health of practitioners. The findings are almost always in agreement. Asana holds many health benefits. People with heart disease, hypertension, high levels of anxiety, depression and diabetes all benefit greatly. It improves concentration and is ideal for children with ADHD. It improves overall flexibility and muscle strength as well and the chances of sustaining an injury are extremely slim.

It is not difficult or expensive to start with Asana. No special clothing or equipment is necessary. Classes may cost a little bit but it is not even necessary to join a class in order to enjoy the benefits. It is advisable, however, to attend at least a few classes when staring off in order to master the very basic poses and exercises and to learn more about the true purpose of Asana.

There is a wealth of information available on this subject and many websites offer free instructional videos, advice and interaction forums. The problem for most beginners is to choose a specific version that will suit their needs and abilities. The solution may be to join a studio that offers classes in various versions and to try a few before making a final decision on the matter.

It is no wonder that Asana is so popular. It does wonders for the spiritual, mental and physical health of practitioners. It is affordable and it can be practiced anywhere. Best of all, it is the ideal activity for entire families and even those with disabilities are not excluded from participating.




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