Yoga is a collection of mental, spiritual, and mental exercises that originated from India but is practiced worldwide. Indeed, most or the original yoga poses are in the Indian language. Exploring yoga practices through history, humanities, natural and applied sciences, and social sciences lenses reveal the importance of yoga to the participants’ well-being. Yoga is internationally recognized for its numerous benefits that signify a positive culture.
Existing Knowledge
I have adequate knowledge about yoga because of my engagement in practice. I have been doing Yoga exercises for the past five years; from my experience, it is the most balanced form of physical activity. Yoga poses such as handstand, balasana, tadasana, and adho mukha svanasana help connect my immediate environment with my spirituality. The quality stretches of yoga help me burn calories, manage stress, and have an enhanced concentration level (Saeed et al., 2019). Yoga enables me to build body strength, stamina, and coordination, which helps me be physically and mentally strong.
History Lens
Every year on June 21, people from all over the world celebrate yoga day. My first time doing yoga exercises was on an international yoga day, June 21, 2018. International yoga experts and enthusiasts converged at a university to commemorate the day. The primary agenda of the day was human wellness, as enabled by yoga exercises. Various experts educated the audience about the importance of maintaining a work-life balance by including yoga. Yoga awareness has increased in recent years compared to a decade ago (Saeed et al., 2019). Yoga has become a standard exercise method, with many people embracing good health practices.
Humanities Lens
Whether or not an individual is religious, yoga develops the aspect of spirituality in participants. The meditation process, especially with the Shavasana pose, allows humans to connect with their inner person (Bramadat, 2019). Concentrating on a quiet environment and reflecting on one’s life makes it easy to connect with the inner body. Therefore, yoga teaches the participants to develop a culture of spirituality through concentration and mindfulness (Bramadat, 2019). Yoga practices through strategic breathing exercises allow individuals to establish stress management techniques and overcome daily frustrations and negative experiences (Bramadat, 2019). Consequently, people doing yoga at least twice weekly are less likely to get depressed.
Natural and Applied Sciences Lens
Through natural and applied sciences, experts seek to know the physical and mental benefits of yoga practices. Yoga exercises are associated with several benefits rooted in the method of training. Yoga exercises are done on a soft mat that allows people to lie on the ground and assume different stretching positions (Saeed et al., 2019). Among yoga’s many benefits are increased flexibility, muscle toning and strength, balanced metabolism, athletic performance, better sleep, energy, and respiration (Saeed et al., 2019). Although people may not lose extreme weight from yoga exercises, they can manage their weight by toning and building fat-loss muscles (Saeed et al., 2019). Therefore, the impact of yoga is scientifically understood through the physical and mental benefits of the practices.
Social Sciences
Yoga is a suitable exercise for people of all ages and could be an integral part of the recovery journey for people with chronic diseases or who have had surgeries. Yoga allows faster or smooth blood flow, thus ensuring quicker recovery (Bramadat, 2019). Yoga is best practised by a group of people who occasionally depend on each other’s support and stamina as a source of motivation (Saeed et al., 2019). Such dependence cultivates trust and accountability, which leads to positive interpersonal relationships. Through enhanced stress management methods, yoga participants can develop and maintain healthy relationships with minimal conflicts (Saeed et al., 2019). In other words, yoga promotes unity and reliable relations that keeps people harmonious.
In conclusion, yoga is internationally embraced for its physical, spiritual, and mental benefits. It is celebrated every year by people who are both religious and non-religious people through spiritual connection. Yoga provides several benefits to the body, including toning muscles, development of strength, stress management, and burning calories. When practicing yoga, people gain coping strategies for stress and mindfulness, thus developing and maintaining positive interrelationships.
References
Bramadat, P. (2019). A bridge too far: Yoga, spirituality, and contested space in the Pacific Northwest. Religion, State & Society, 47(4-5), 491-507. Web.
Saeed, S. A., Cunningham, K., & Bloch, R. M. (2019). Depression and anxiety disorders: Benefits of exercise, yoga, and meditation. American Family Physician, 99(10), 620-627. Web.