For thousands of years Yoga, the sister science of Ayurveda has been used as a way to get more in tuned with one’s spiritual self. It originated in India and takes a holistic approach to life, enabling you to experience balance inside and out.Yoga consists of a unique blend of physical exercises, psychological insight and philosophy. It can assist you with bringing your body, mind and spirit into balance.

Traditionally there are four paths of yoga. Most westerners believe that yoga is the act of performing asanas or various poses and stretches but yoga is much deeper than that. Although each of the four paths of yoga are complete disciplines within themselves, it is best to combine all four practices for the benefits of bringing harmony to the emotional, intellectual and physical aspects of your life. The four paths of yoga consist of Hatha and Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Jnana Yoga.

For the purpose of this article we will be discussing how Hatha and Raja Yogarelease your hidden energy. This is the yogic path of body and mind control. It is best known for its practical aspects, particularly its asanas (poses) and pranayama (breathing exercises). This path teaches ways of controlling the body and mind, including silent meditation and its practices gradually transform the energy of the body and mind into spiritual energy. It is through this harmonizing of energizing of the mind, body and spirit that the hidden energystores are released.

It is said that the practice of Yoga brings calmness to the mind at all times, brings restful sleep, it increases energy, vigor, vitality, longevity and high standard of health, it allows you to turn out higher quality of work, more effectively in a shorter period of time and it can help bring success to every area of life. In addition to these benefits which many have to do with increasing your energy,yoga also improves muscle elasticity, joint range of motion and flexibility. Through the controlled breathing, meditation and asanas (poses) relaxation of the mind and body begin to occur which is a powerful aid for relieving stress. Yoga has been used very successfully in the management of stress and can be used to reduce pain, lower blood pressure and heart rate and decrease anxiety and muscle tension.

Internally, Yoga benefits the organs through massage. The wide range of asanas or poses performed during a Yoga session massages many of the body’s internal organs. This massage action helps to stimulate the internal organs, increasing blood flow to the area and increasing the ability to ward off disease and improve the organ’s function. With the positive effects on muscle strength and flexibility as well as massaging of the internal organs, Yoga boost blood and lymph circulation throughout the body and immune function which results in faster excretion of harmful toxins. Still another benefit is the fact that due to the increase in blood circulation throughout the body increased nourishment and waste exchange is occurring at the cellular level. This leads to increased mental awareness, increased vitality and increased energy.

As a result of the stress reduction, detoxification, and improvements in strength and flexibility, it believed that those who practice Yoga are said to live longer, healthier and more energetic lives. Yoga is said to affect all areas of life, physiological, biological and mental. Yoga provides the body and mind with new, challenging stimuli that unlocks your awareness, stimulates your body and connects you to your spirit. This beautiful act of self love unlocks the hiddenenergy within you in such subtle, gentle and loving ways that you will feel balanced, clear, peaceful, healthy and happy.

Namaste,

Rochele M. Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS