Yoga and Fitness: Yoga is the cure for every problem from head to toe, know its types, correct way and rules of doing it.

Yoga started in ancient India and even today people take help of yoga for good health. By doing yoga the mind, body and soul remain balanced. Not only in India but the whole world has accepted the miracle of Yoga. Doing yoga daily relieves anxiety, stress and depression. That means yoga is also beneficial for mental health.

However, before starting yoga, a person should also know how to do it correctly. If you are doing yoga correctly then you can see some good changes in your body in a very short time.

If you are ignoring your health in this busy life, then doing so can cost you dearly. In such a situation, you can avoid many problems by adopting yoga.

What is yoga?
Yoga is a Sanskrit word which comes from Yuj. Its meaning is to gather or to tie. Apart from India, Yoga is also very famous in China, Japan and South East Asia. Yoga is known by different names. This is also called Pranayana Yoga. It is a spiritual process by which body, mind and soul are united. Along with the body, yoga also keeps our mind healthy.

Benefits of doing yoga
NCBI(refAccording to ) nowadays people are falling prey to many serious diseases due to anxiety and stress. Many times, due to carelessness, a small problem turns serious. Yoga not only keeps you physically but also mentally strong. Yoga provides relief from asthma, diabetes, blood pressure, arthritis, digestive disorders and many other diseases. Yoga also reduces the effects of many bad habits like less physical activity, excessive use of mobile phone, eating disorders etc. According to experts, you should do yoga continuously for better results. That means, if you are starting yoga then you need to practice continuously for at least 30 days.

rules of yoga
To get the full benefit of yoga practice, you need to follow some simple rules like
Before starting yoga, take training from an expert.
Do yoga at sunrise or sunset.
Be sure to take bath before doing yoga.
Do not eat anything 2 hours before starting yoga. Yoga should be done only on an empty stomach.
Do not eat anything for 30 minutes after doing yoga.
Wear comfortable clothes.
Practice yoga in a calm environment.
Keep your mind calm also.
Do not force yourself in any way.
If you already have any physical problem then definitely consult your doctor before starting yoga.
If you are facing any problem then stop practicing yoga immediately.
Finally do Shavasana.

types of yoga
There are total four main types of yoga.

Rajyoga: Raj means royal and its most important part is meditation. There are total eight parts of this yoga: Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. This is the reason why it has been named Ashtanga Yoga. This yoga helps in concentrating the mind. The most famous part of this yoga is Asana.

Karma Yoga: Karma Yoga is called the path of service. Karma Yoga means whatever we are experiencing today is the result of our actions in the past. Being aware of this can give us a way to create a better future. With this we can get freedom from emotions like negativity and selfishness. Living life selflessly and serving others is less Karma Yoga.

bhakti yoga: This yoga means attaining freedom from sorrow and pain through the path of devotion. Bhakti yoga is the practice of devoting oneself to a deity or form.

Gyan Yoga: This is the sum of intelligence and is considered the most difficult. It requires study and attracts people who are intellectually inclined.

right time to do yoga
It is considered best to do yoga before sunrise. If you are not able to do yoga in the morning, you can also do yoga at sunset. However, you need to take special care of some things.
Set time for yoga. Practice at the same time every day.
Avoid doing yoga sitting directly on the ground. Do all the exercises on yoga mat or carpet only.
Always choose a quiet place to do yoga. If you want, you can also do yoga in a park. Apart from this, if you want to practice at home, you can do it, but keep in mind that where you are doing yoga, you can breathe freely.

right mental state
Just as it is important to keep the body clean while doing yoga, in the same way you should keep your mind clean as well. Stay away from all bad thoughts while doing yoga. Just focus on what’s easy for you. Focus on whichever part of the body the asana has the most profound effect on. By doing this you will get the true benefit of yoga. Apart from this, whatever exercise you are doing, adopt the right breathing method for it. That means you will have to pay attention to when to inhale and when to exhale.

Start yoga like this
Positive thinking and practicing yoga in the right way can improve your mental and physical condition. If you are starting yoga for the first time then you can follow these tips given below.

Practice yoga with patience and perseverance.
Do not use any force or haste with your body.
Some people have less flexibility in their body. In such a situation, you may find it difficult to ease in the beginning.
Start only with the asanas which you are able to do easily.
In the beginning, rest yourself for a few seconds between two asanas. You can decide the time of rest according to your physical needs.

take these precautions
Women can decide according to their physical capacity whether they should practice yoga during menstruation or not.
Pregnant women should always do yoga under the supervision of an expert.
Children below 10 years of age should not be made too difficult or easy. Children of this age should do yoga only under the guidance of a guru.
If you do yoga daily then you should take special care of your food and drinks. You should eat nutritious food and develop the habit of eating food on time.
Avoid bad habits like smoking and tobacco. Try to get rid of them through yoga.
Get good sleep and give complete rest to your body. You should sleep on time and wake up early in the morning.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It cannot in any way be a substitute for any medicine or treatment. Always consult your doctor for more information.