| Yoga today has become a widely commercialized | | | | Let's take a brief look at some common traditional |
| term. We see Yoga studios sprouting up, sometimes | | | | forms of Yoga. Hatha Yoga - which emphasizes |
| simultaneously all over the world, and big banners | | | | physical postures and asanas perfection, engages the |
| promoting slim, toned and fresh-looking celebrities. | | | | body fully. This, in Science, is viewed as physical |
| Yoga is now commonly accredited with weight loss | | | | exercise. And any exercise, as long as moderate and |
| benefits, sports recovery, stress reliever and | | | | not too harsh on the body, is good for health. |
| occasionally healing of physical illnesses. | | | | Pranayama Yoga, which means breath energy works |
| Is Yoga really all that the media and world made it out | | | | for healing, uses breathing techniques to manage body |
| to be? Well, they are definitely not wrong. Practicing | | | | functions, emotions and wellness. Breath is something |
| Yoga indeed helps an individual in achieving general | | | | essential to every living thing; we need oxygen to live. |
| wellness and release excess weight. But does it stop | | | | By intentionally directing the oxygen intake frequency, |
| just here? | | | | speed and movement, we regulate our internal organs, |
| The real benefits of doing Yoga far exceeds all that | | | | metabolic and endocrine systems. It does not take a |
| described above. I would say that weight loss, | | | | genius to tell that this is, in fact, intelligently using |
| reversing aging effects and alleviation of physical | | | | Science to manage our health for the better. |
| illnesses are only the "by-products" of doing Yoga. | | | | Now let's look at Mantra Yoga - or chanting, perhaps |
| The practice of Yoga originated from ancient Vedic | | | | most mistaken by many to be religious or superstitious. |
| Sanskrit traditions. When Man first discovered that he | | | | Before we jump to conclusions, let's break it down and |
| is much more than what he sees and feels in the | | | | look closely. During chanting, you produce sound |
| physical dimension, he designed specific methods of | | | | vibrations, at different pitches, volumes, keys and |
| breaking through the physical frontier through | | | | frequency. Each of the variations produce body |
| continuous research, experimentation and observation | | | | vibrations at different body parts - internally. In other |
| of nature. Over the generations, Yoga traditions and | | | | words, you are actually performing an internal |
| practices were handed down by word-of-mouth, from | | | | massage for your organs when sound vibrations are |
| masters to disciples, and the wealth of knowledge | | | | used. These are no different from energy waves - |
| expanded quietly. It was believed that Yoga practices | | | | which can be measured by energy calibrating |
| were first used to achieve deep states of self | | | | equipment. Coupled with Sanskrit words with intention, |
| actualization. | | | | (and by now we should all know that thoughts and |
| For those of you who are familiar with Yoga poses, | | | | intentions are measurable by quantum physics) these |
| you may find that some asanas resemble the positions | | | | sound vibrations bring about harmony, peace and |
| of animals and even insects eg. cat pose, cobra etc. | | | | healing. The Sanskrit pronouncing sounds are nothing |
| Old Vedic masters (and even ascetic Himalayan Yoga | | | | more than mere well meaning words eg. peace, |
| Masters today) drew inspirations from observation of | | | | consciousness, joy and bliss. There is absolutely |
| Nature and animals in the wild, making notes of how | | | | nothing superstitious or religious about Mantra Yoga. |
| they move, stretch and sleep, were able to create | | | | And what is the result of practicing all these combined |
| sets of asanas for Man to heal and rejuvenate. | | | | with the power of concentration? Millions of people |
| Actually, this should not come across as a surprise | | | | world-wide have experienced the healing benefits of |
| because, hey! Anyone notice that animals in the wild | | | | doing Yoga, and more people today than ever are |
| do not fall sick, get degenerative diseases and feel | | | | practicing. The "by-products" are weight management, |
| miserable? That's because Nature has given all living | | | | radiant skin, a toned and beautiful body, emotional |
| things a terrific survival and rejuvenation systems well | | | | wellness, and anti-aging benefits. What else are we |
| beyond the mundane understanding of any human | | | | waiting for? |
| mind. And that means you and I have one too! | | | | |