Yoga: Start practicing it for the well-being of your body and mind

The yoga is an ancient and complex practice, with a history of 5,000 years that has its origins in ancient Indian philosophy. Various styles of yoga combine physical postures, breathing techniques and meditation or relaxation, with the aim of reconnecting with oneself, with the world around us and with nature.

There are different types of yoga and many disciplines within the practice. The core is always the union between body and mind, the awareness of what you are doing and the intention with which you begin to practice.

Yoga: history and origins

In the modern world, the art of yoga from South Asia has spread to all corners of the globe. Although it is now a popular form of exercise and meditation, this was not always the case.

The “ Yoga Sutra ”, a 2000 year old treatise on yogi philosophy of the Indian sage Patanjali , is a guide on how to master the mind, control the emotions and grow spiritually. The Yoga Sutra is the first written record – in ancient Sanskrit – of yoga, as well as one of the oldest texts in existence, and provides the framework for all modern yoga.

Yoga is well known for its postures and poses, but these were not the core of the original yoga traditions in India. Practitioners and followers of the yogi tradition focused primarily on the betterment of the individual in a profound sense, the expansion of spiritual energy using breathing methods and concentration.

The tradition began to gain popularity in the West in the late 19th century. An explosion of interest in postural yoga occurred in the 1920s and 1930s, first in India and then in the West. Today it is a discipline defined as “holistic,” among the most loved and practiced.

Yoga: Why Start Practicing It, The Right Motivation

It has recently become popular as a form of exercise, based on poses – the asana – which promote better proprioception and combine “emotional” benefits with purely functional ones.

Obviously, Yoga is much more than a good stretching and muscle strengthening workout , although it is certainly useful for those suffering from osteoarticular pathologies – such as sciatica and back pain – for recovering from sports injuries and, in general, for gently improving mobility.

Surely, therefore, it is fine to decide to practice yoga as a physical training. It improves flexibility and strengthens the muscles, making the entire musculoskeletal system more efficient, without the need for trauma or excessive effort like other more “aggressive” sports.

However, one must not ignore its meditative component , because there would be the risk of trivializing a splendid and complex philosophy. Learning to breathe correctly and to concentrate on the present moment, on the asana that you are trying to build and realize step by step, this is the essential thing.

This awareness, which recalls the concept of mindfulness , implies the will to experience the pose itself not as its achievement and result – performing the pose itself correctly – but as the “journey” to achieve it, the set of steps and psycho-physical efforts that allow us to put it into practice.

On why yoga is really good for you and how to start practicing it even in the comfort of your own home, we heard the opinion of Julia Rizzi, yoga teacher and food bloggers :

“Yoga is a complete discipline and what makes it special is its ability to adapt and be inclusive. Everyone can do yoga and find the style and approach that best suits them by moving their body, learning how to use their breath, meditating or using other techniques. All of this is yoga. It is worth getting into this discipline because when you start practicing, wherever you start, it triggers a ripple effect that also involves other aspects of our life, making us more receptive and more aware.

A beautiful part of yoga is sharing, it is the energy that develops in a practice in person, but this last year has taught us to go beyond limits and boundaries, feeling close and united even if we are not in the same room. Like many teachers, I have also brought my lessons online and this is a great opportunity to try practicing! You don't need much in the end, all you need is a mat and the desire to get to know each other a little better. I always recommend practicing with a teacher, especially at the beginning, so as to be guided safely, in the hope of moving together again soon!”

Types of yoga, which one to choose?

There are many different types and styles of yoga. Here are some of the most popular:

• Ashtanga yoga – This type of yoga uses ancient yoga teachings and has been popular since the 1970s. Ashtanga uses six set sequences of postures that quickly connect each movement to the breath.
• Bikram-yoga – also known as “hot” yoga, Bikram takes place in artificially heated rooms at temperatures of nearly 105 degrees and 40 percent humidity.
• Hatha-yoga – this is a general term for any type of yoga that teaches physical postures. “Hatha” classes usually serve as a gentle introduction to basic yoga postures.
• Iyengar yoga – This type focuses on finding correct alignment in each pose using a range of props, such as blocks, blankets, straps, chairs, and pillows.
• Vinyasa yoga – focuses on the transition between poses and has a more sustained rhythm, furthermore it is practiced through more activities, from the initial chant or invocation to meditation, then the asanas, pranayama and music.
• Kripalu yoga – This type teaches practitioners to know, accept and learn from the body, looking inward. Classes usually begin with breathing exercises and gentle stretches, followed by a series of individual poses and final relaxation.
• Prenatal Yoga – Prenatal yoga uses “gentle” postures that practitioners have designed to support the health of pregnant women.
• Restorative Yoga – This is a relaxing yoga method, consisting of just four or five simple poses, using props such as blankets and pillows to sink into deep relaxation without exerting effort to maintain the pose. It is also used in some particular types of psychotherapy.

Yoga and Nutrition, Awareness at the Table

Those who love yoga and holistic disciplines are, as a rule, a person who is also attentive to other aspects of his life : healthy eating is one of the main ones, as is the desire to reduce his environmental impact, or to carry out ethical choices such as vegan diet .

Training the body and spirit, eating well and caring about the well-being of the world around us are, in fact, all sides of the same coin: one healthy, positive, active and collaborative lifestyle .

Eating well is essential, before and after practice, especially for intense sessions: it is better to have a light but energetic snack, carefully choosing fresh and natural foods... for example our organic superfoods .

For those who practice in the morning before breakfast, follow the yoga session with a Acai Bowl colorful, tasty and rich in plant-based micronutrients, it is a great way to replenish energy reserves!