Read the passage and answer the question that follow.
Yoga is a practice that has been practised for centuries and is thought to have originated in India. It is a spiritual discipline that teaches a person to become more aware of his/her body, mind, and spirit.
In the beginning, it was used in the East to promote meditation and to control the mind and the body, but now there are various traditions of yoga being practised around the world. There are many different styles of yoga, which are practised in different countries.
One of the core areas of practice is breathing. This allows the learner to connect with the breath. By taking care of the mind and the body through breathing techniques, the practitioners are able to achieve heightened levels of awareness.
Practitioners are often encouraged to take a meditation break every thirty minutes. Practitioners will focus on their breathing and use these breaks to connect with their spirit.
Some practitioners may also practice ‘Japa’, which is a series of chanting and calling of the mantras, where participants focus on the messages of the mantras. The mantras are meant to help bring one to a meditative state, which can then be used to reach higher levels of spiritual awareness.
The process of performing this kind of meditation is called Kundalini, which literally means serpent power. Kundalini, along with Pranayama, will help prepare the body for higher levels of spiritual awareness. When practising Kundalini meditation, practitioners will experience physical sensations in both the top and bottom of the spine.
Another meditation that is practised to reach the highest levels of Kundalini is named Sukhasana. This means to hold back the throat, but not the breath. The goal of this type of meditation is to force the learner to slow down, which allows for deeper levels of relaxation and meditation.
We have all heard of meditation and the process of consciousness in the state of being quiet. Yogic practitioners may have their mind open, but the very essence of them is left behind as they may practice a state of oneness with the universe. They may learn to communicate and express themselves through this state of oneness.
When we choose to enter the natural state of our body, our mind, and spirit, they naturally merge together. As the breath becomes controlled and the mind moves to a meditative state, the body is inspired to move into a meditative state. This part of the practice is known as Asana.
While practising yoga there is a natural balancing effect that happens. It allows the body to work at its best level and it helps the mind to work at its best level. This is the basis for getting the most out of your yoga workout. There are many benefits of yoga workouts. It can be used to prepare for specific therapies. However, when you combine all the above elements, you have a very effective way to get your body ready for those higher levels of therapy.
