Yoga is a 3,000-year-old, Hindu discipline of mind and body that became known in Western society with the hippie generation of the Sixties and early Seventies. Its persona as a religious mystic exercise is vanishing as fast as the stressful aspects of the 80s are coming out.

As an effective method of stress management, yoga is spreading into the business world, the helping professions, nursing and old age homes, and is used in the treatment of alcoholics, hyperactive children and youngsters with learning disabilities. Yoga centers are getting stiff competition from adult education classes of community colleges, boards of education and parks and recreation departments.

The meaning of yoga is union of the body, mind and spirit with truth. There are numerous forms of yoga to study, which is can be endless years of learning for the willing pupil.

Hatha Yoga is amongst the hottest forms in the west. It emphasizes the practice of postures, which stretch and strengthen the body, help develop a sense of balance and flexibility, as well as body awareness and mental concentration. All forms of yoga incorporate the practice of proper breathing techniques for relaxation, to rest the mind from its constant chatter, to experience an internal calm, and to energize and purify the body.

As stress levels in society reach new heights, Raja Yoga, the yoga of meditation, is growing in popularity in Western society, while others, such as Krya Yoga, the yoga of cleansing, and Mantra Yoga, the yoga of chanting, not surprisingly, have little appeal for newcomers.

There are various reasons why people turn to yoga. Stretching and toning are the popular impressions of yoga, though beneficial, aren't the main causes people addressing yoga. Newcomers are hoping that yoga will provide them with a means for handling stress and diffusing tension. The difference between exercise and yoga is that yoga has a meditative quality.

A lot of people are exercising for the psychological benefits and trying many of the Eastern activities, like yoga and tai chi. Yoga appears to bear a tranquilizing force on people.

And the techniques work on children as well as adults. When your children are quarreling, ask them to stop what they’re doing, raise their arms over their heads, lean forward and breathe deeply to help diffuse their anger. It unquestionably facilitates them to cool down it.

Yoga : Learning And Instructions

A 12-Step All-Around Yoga Exercise

The ’12-step salute to the sun’ is one of the all-around yoga exercises. Do it once or twice when you get up in the morning to help relieve stiffness and invigorate the body. Multiple repetitions at night will help you to relax; insomniacs often find that 6 to12 rounds help them fall asleep.

1. Stand with your feet slightly apart, palms together, thumbs against your chest.

2. Inhale deeply, while slowly raising your hands over your head, and bend back as far as possible, while tightening your buttocks.

You should hold this position for three seconds before exhaling.

3. After three seconds you can slowly exhale while bending forward, keeping your knees straight and touch the floor outside of your feet.

If you can’t touch the floor, go as close as you can and then bring your head in toward your knees.

4. Slowly inhale, bend your knees, and if your fingertips aren’t outside your feet, place them as near to them as you can.

Slide your right foot back as far as you can go, with the right knee an inch or so off the floor, (a lunge position). Now look up as high as possible, arching your back and hold for a few seconds before exhaling.

5. Before exhaling again, slide your left foot back until it is beside the right one, and with your weight supported on your palms and toes, straighten both legs so that your body forms a flat plane.

All the time while doing this yoga exercises you need to make sure your stomach is pulled in.

6. Slowly exhale, bend both knees to the floor, bend with your hips in the air, lower your chest and forehead to the floor.

7. Now, inhale slowly and look up, bending your head back then raising it, followed by bringing up your chest, then lowering it.

Your lower body – from the navel down – should be on the floor, and your elbows should be slightly bent. Hold this position for three to five seconds.

8. As you exhale slowly, raise up your hips until both your feet and hands are flat on the floor and your legs and arms are in a straight inverted V type position.

9. Bring your foot forward as you slowly inhale the same way you did in the forth position.

The right foot will need to be flat on the floor between your fingertips. Your left leg should be straight behind you or as straight as you can make it with your knee slightly bent. Again, you will raise your head by looking upward and arch your back in this position.

10. Slowly exhale and bring your left foot forward next to your right one.

Straighten your legs and stand, trying to keep your fingertips on the floor, and try to touch your head to your knees as in position 3.

11. Slowly begin to inhale deeply as you raise your arms up and stretch back as you did in the second position.

Remember in both position two and eleven you need to tighten your buttocks and hold for three seconds.

12. Slowly exhale, lowering your arms to your sides and then relax.

Feel free to repeat these yoga positions as often as you like, as they will better help to improve your health, by relieving stress and helping you to better relax your body.