Yoga is one of India's six great ancient philosophies. A systematized body of knowledge, it represents the world's oldest method for spiritual and physical development. Yoga seeks to foster wholeness. The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit word yuj meaning "yoke" or "union". It is joining the body and mind through various disciplines. Yoga is not a religion. It is a physical and psychological discipline that combines the learning and practice of asana, pranayama and pratyahara.
Asana refers specifically to all yoga positions or exercises that encourage flexibility and strengthen the skeleton, muscular, glandular and nervous system. The spine functions as the focal point of many of the postures, and all postures require a conscious awareness, steadiness, and the ability to surrender to gravity.
Pranayama concerns breathing practice where air is contained and controlled through conscious inhalation, breath retention, and exhalation. Regular practice regulates and harmonizes the breath and its rhythm. Breath awareness increases mental and physical energy by releasing the mind from its continuous stream of random thoughts.
Pratyahara is meditation which can be broadly defined as focusing attention, increasing intuition, and the ability to relax at will.
Yoga has specific health benefits which are preventative and therapeutic. It has been shown to offer the following benefits to the body:
Yoga also offers mental health benefits because of its meditative aspects. Yoga's ability to calm the mind has a physiological basis. Anxiety leads to a fight-or-flight response in the body, which leads to specific physiological responses, such as, the release of hormones like adrenaline. This in turn triggers shallow breathing, muscle tension, and rapid heartbeat. Yoga interrupts this response mechanism by calming the anxious mind.
Here are resources and links to websites on this topic. I will continue to update this page, as I find more useful resources.
"Anatomy of Hatha Yoga" by H. David Coulter
"Yoga Mind, Body and Spirit: A Return to Wholeness" by Donna Farhi
"How to Use Yoga: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Iyengar Method of Yoga, for Relaxation, Health and Well-being" by Mira Mehta
"Light on Yoga: The Bible of Modern Yoga - Its Philosophy and Practice - by the World's Foremost Teacher" by B.K.S. Iyengar
"15 Minute Gentle Yoga" by Louise Grime
Yoga Basics: Your Guide to the Practice of Yoga. http://www.yogabasics.com/