Yoga is for spiritualism. Please leave religion out of it
Yoga is said to have originated in India more than 5,000 years ago. "Yoga", in literal translation of Sanskrit to English, means "a way of life". Traditional yoga when done with focus and direction helps individuals find answers to introspective questions like "who am I?", "what am I meant to do?" and "what should I do?". Somewhere inside each of us lies a speck of philosophy as we all seek to make sense of our lives. Yoga is about spirituality and must not be confused with religion. Chants are used in yoga to create a profound energy around us.
Yogic chants need not always be Vedic mantras. Syllables such as "mm", "aa" can also be used. As said in the art of living, "When we sit at one place, we have different thoughts. But when we chant, there is one thought and one rhythm in all our minds and all minds become one."
Yoga is practised for different reasons such as gaining mental and physical fitness, losing weight or as a style statement. For some, it is a way to find inner peace and wisdom. Yoga is simply the most powerful system to achieve health and well-being.
Benefits of yoga are numerous. The stress and pressure we face today in our daily lives can lead to serious illness and lifestyle diseases, if left unattended. The regular practice of yoga calms the body and mind, boosts our immune system and eliminates toxins from our body. Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, problems of the immune system, depression and mental problems can be cured by specialised yoga routines. Yoga, practised on a regular basis can increase strength and flexibility, improve body balance, cardiovascular conditioning, helps to lose weight, reduce stress levels, lifts up the mood, heightens sexual functioning and fulfilment, and promotes spiritual well-being.
The yogic practice consists of asanas, pranayama and meditation. Yogasanas boost the body's resistance to diseases. Breathing exercises, including pranayama and meditation, strengthen and calm the nervous system. All put together, it increases the blood flow to internal organs and brings more oxygen to the cells. None of these work in isolation, the interconnection of yoga, asana and meditation enhances flexibility of the body leading to a more flexible mind and brings our emotions under control, thus helping us balance our body, mind and soul.
One take-home message for everyone would be to allow the energy of yoga to strengthen and rejuvenate them. As the famous yoga guru BKS Iyengar said, "Yoga is like music. The rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind and the harmony of the soul, create the symphony of life."