| Many in Western society only know the part of Yoga | | | | exercises at a rapid pace, the body will be under great |
| known as Yogasana. Yogasana is the exercise | | | | pressure. As the heart rate, blood pressure and |
| portion of yoga. However, yoga is more than an | | | | breathing increase, the muscles will be strained. The |
| exercise. It is also more than just a sport, art, education | | | | whole body will be forced to increase its workload. |
| or means of healthy living. Yoga is all of these things | | | | This is not within the intentions of yoga. Yoga seeks to |
| together. In a sense, yoga is a religious lifestyle. | | | | regulate the heart beat, blood pressure and breathing. |
| The abundant teaching of Yogasanas have helped | | | | To achieve these, each simple posture should be |
| many to learn useful exercise and relaxation | | | | performed at a leisurely pace. |
| techniques, but it loses focus on the whole meaning of | | | | When properly practiced, the Yogasana, as a portion |
| yoga. Yogasana exercises become less beneficial, | | | | of yoga, will reduce the body's oxygen demand, |
| possibly even harmful, as a person ages. However, | | | | respiration and perspiration. This is the reverse of what |
| older people can continue to receive a great benefit | | | | is happening in the scenario described. While the |
| from the whole of yoga. The whole form of yoga is | | | | purpose of most exercise routines is to enhance |
| believed to lead them to a whole harmony and union | | | | muscle power, the exercises in Yogasana should |
| within the body and mind. Yogasana is limited to | | | | rather increase the endurance of the muscles. In fact, |
| strengthening the body. | | | | properly practiced Yogasana should immediately |
| Those teaching Yogasana teach the students to | | | | increase stamina, while most exercise routines make |
| achieve stability and comfort of the body parts and | | | | the practitioner feel stressed and tired. |
| muscles by practicing slow, smooth muscle | | | | Why do we minimize the importance of Yogasana? |
| movements. However, if they fail to include the | | | | Because yoga, in fact, includes eight stages, and |
| relaxation and meditation techniques as the student | | | | Yogasana is only one of these eight stages. To |
| ages, the student will receive less benefit. The student | | | | achieve what yoga practitioners believe to be |
| will also not be able to advance into meditation. | | | | supreme bliss, one must become proficient in the other |
| If the Yogasana student continues to perform | | | | seven stages of yoga as well. |