Yoga and meditation are very ancient Indian practices that were practiced by numerous people in the past. Like Ayurveda, yoga is also known to have its roots in the Indian subcontinent.
Even though it is a very ancient practice, looking at the modern lifestyle and how it is affecting people of all ages, more and more people are now turning to learn, practice, and incorporate yoga in their daily lives to live a healthy and well-balanced life.
These days, there are numerous yoga teacher training courses for those who are more interested in this ancient science of wellbeing. People can enroll in these courses and learn the basics about yoga, and then do their part by bringing this blessing into the lives of other people.
A LAND OF SEEKERS
India has always been known for its culture and diversity across the whole land. In ancient times, India was actually known for its spiritually inclined citizens and was also known as the land of seekers.
History tells us that many years back, India was inhabited by people who rather than fighting upon their religious beliefs, used to incorporate every belief and welcome the differences with respect and grace.
People of different beliefs lived together and there was only one motive for the people, to seek answers to the ultimate questions and mysteries of life without having any prior judgments.
YOGA IN THE ANCIENT TIMES
Being a land of seekers, Indians were interested to find the truths about our lives and the answers to the most basic questions. Some of these questions have never been answered and people from all kinds of educational backgrounds like psychologists, physicists, and even spiritual leaders are still trying to find these answers.
Spirituality was always a big part of the lives of seekers in India. Some forms of basic yogic practices have been practiced by enlightened individuals in ancient times as it is considered to be the doorway to various answers that are still unknown to us.
After many years, yoga has faced some modifications and even specifications to be precise and be used for specific purposes according to the needs of the people. In the modern world, there are various types and extensions of the yogic practices that are not limited to the difficult postures of the body. People can learn or even teach different forms of yoga after taking up yoga teacher training courses.
DIFFERENT FORMS OF YOGA AVAILABLE THESE DAYS
Yogic practices are all about bringing overall wellbeing to a person’s health on the physical, mental, and even emotional levels. Some of them work more on the physical wellbeing and focus on making the physical body fit and work at its highest potential, while other forms help to ease the mind or even promote some sort of spiritual awakening.
- ASANAS: yoga works on bringing the body of an individual in alignment with the cosmic geometry. This means, it basically aims at the correct postures of the physical body which in turn helps to balance the mind and bring wellbeing into one’s life. Out of numerous ways, some positions of sitting, standing, and even lying down and their modifications form the basic asanas.
- POWER YOGA: practicing the basic asanas with correct breathing patterns coordinated with the stretching of the body can be modified into a vigorous practice with frequent and difficult movements to burn more calories. This form is known as power yoga and it is a vigorous exercise that helps mainly in burning the extra fat and toning the body.
- KUNDALINI YOGA: this form of yoga is one of the yogic practices that can help to awaken the kundalini in an individual. According to Indian beliefs, Kundalini is a powerhouse of energy that is stored in every individual’s body at the base of the spine. It is known to be a powerful life force that is present in the form of a coil as it is untapped. By practicing kundalini yoga, one can help to awaken this energy that has the potential to completely transform the life of any individual. It can bring one closer to the divine and experience blissfulness.
- AERIAL YOGA: yoga poses can also be practiced in the air by suspending the body through ropes or other means of support. Practicing poses and holding them in the air can seem difficult in the beginning but it can improve one’s health and even incorporate a sense of balance in one’s body. Aerial yoga can also be helpful in promoting better focus and concentration.