Swami Vivekananda was an Indian philosopher that lived in the latter years of the eighteenth century. He developed a unique philosophy which he called Asana, a holistic philosophy which he aimed to introduce to people all over the world. To this end he travelled to the Unites States and Canada. Asana, better known to most people as yoga, very quickly became immensely popular. Today many millions of people practice Asana in every country in the world. With yoga Ann Arbor MI residents hope to improve their bodies and their minds.
Even though millions of people practice Asana, many still think that it is some form of mystic religion and that it is in conflict with other religions. Others think that it is just a series of stretching exercises and poses that forms part of a physical fitness plan. Asana is not a religion at all. Instead, it is a philosophy that aims at holistically improving the body, mind and spirit.
Asana does involve stretching exercises and bodily poses, but these are only used as vehicle to focus the minds of practitioners and to help them to improve their concentration. There are different styles of Asana ranging from a version that requires physical strength and fitness to versions that focus much less on the physical side and more on the spiritual issues and the expansion of the mind.
Asana can easily be practiced by entire families. This is because classes are mixed with some members more experienced, others only beginners, some older people and some very young ones. Nobody is ever compared with another practitioner and there is never any form of competition. There is also no schedule according to which practitioners have to master new poses and exercise. Everyone progresses at his own pace.
Asana has been the focus of many formal studies and the overwhelming consensus is that it offers many health benefits. People suffering from diabetes, arthritis, heart conditions and hypertension all benefit greatly. It is also beneficial for those with psychological conditions such as depression and anxiety. It helps to improve concentration and is therefore helpful to children suffering from ADHD. It definitely improves the overall flexibility of the body too.
Practicing Asana does not involve an investment in special clothing or equipment. There are studios offering classes almost everywhere and it may be a good idea to join a class for at least a while when just starting out with Asana in order to learn from more experienced practitioners. Once the basic poses and exercises are mastered, one can practice Asana anywhere and literally anyone can do so.
Because there are many different versions of Asana, beginners often find it difficult to choose an approach that will work best for them. It will certainly help to join a studio that practices different versions and to try a few of them before deciding. There are also numerous books, magazines and websites that are useful in learning new poses and exercises.
There are many good reasons for starting with Asana. It offers many health benefits and it improves the strength and fitness of practitioners. It is suitable for entire families and it poses no risk whatsoever. It is economical and it can be practiced anywhere.
Even though millions of people practice Asana, many still think that it is some form of mystic religion and that it is in conflict with other religions. Others think that it is just a series of stretching exercises and poses that forms part of a physical fitness plan. Asana is not a religion at all. Instead, it is a philosophy that aims at holistically improving the body, mind and spirit.
Asana does involve stretching exercises and bodily poses, but these are only used as vehicle to focus the minds of practitioners and to help them to improve their concentration. There are different styles of Asana ranging from a version that requires physical strength and fitness to versions that focus much less on the physical side and more on the spiritual issues and the expansion of the mind.
Asana can easily be practiced by entire families. This is because classes are mixed with some members more experienced, others only beginners, some older people and some very young ones. Nobody is ever compared with another practitioner and there is never any form of competition. There is also no schedule according to which practitioners have to master new poses and exercise. Everyone progresses at his own pace.
Asana has been the focus of many formal studies and the overwhelming consensus is that it offers many health benefits. People suffering from diabetes, arthritis, heart conditions and hypertension all benefit greatly. It is also beneficial for those with psychological conditions such as depression and anxiety. It helps to improve concentration and is therefore helpful to children suffering from ADHD. It definitely improves the overall flexibility of the body too.
Practicing Asana does not involve an investment in special clothing or equipment. There are studios offering classes almost everywhere and it may be a good idea to join a class for at least a while when just starting out with Asana in order to learn from more experienced practitioners. Once the basic poses and exercises are mastered, one can practice Asana anywhere and literally anyone can do so.
Because there are many different versions of Asana, beginners often find it difficult to choose an approach that will work best for them. It will certainly help to join a studio that practices different versions and to try a few of them before deciding. There are also numerous books, magazines and websites that are useful in learning new poses and exercises.
There are many good reasons for starting with Asana. It offers many health benefits and it improves the strength and fitness of practitioners. It is suitable for entire families and it poses no risk whatsoever. It is economical and it can be practiced anywhere.
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