What is Yoga?
Yoga is a traditional technique that focuses on our physical postures and characteristics, mentality, and breathing. According to ancient texts such as the Rig Veda, yoga’s fundamental ethics lie within our mind, body, and spirit.
The History of Yoga
Yoga first originated from a Hindu phrase called “yuj,” which means togetherness and union. This phrase dates back to 5000 years ago in some parts of Northern India. Yoga has its emphasis on six categories based on different interests and a set of qualities. These categories include;
- Hatha Yoga; body and Soul
- Raja Yoga; meditation and emphasis on the eight limbs
- Karma Yoga; life without greed and hostility
- Bhakti Yoga; acceptance and Tolerance
- Tantra Yoga; ritual or consummation
- Jnana Yoga; knowledge and Wisdom
During the 1890s, monks from India embarked on a mission to spread knowledge of yoga and are now recognized in Western Countries. It is now practiced by one in seven adults according to surveys conducted all over the world.
The Benefits of Yoga
Yoga has the benefits of improving our flexibility and our posture, advancing the strength of our muscles, and encouraging coordinated breathing. Additionally, practicing yoga boosts our cardiovascular system’s health, reduces our stress, and promotes spiritual growth and inner peace.
As this practice improves our balance and promotes inner reconciliation, it can provide positive outcomes on our inner beauty as well. However, beauty is subjective and can be affected by our genes and other environmental influences.
Below are seven yoga poses that you must master to enhance your natural beauty.
1. Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
The Tadasana yoga pose is a standing pose that improves posture and balance. If the mountain pose is executed correctly, it will use every muscle, strengthening the thighs, abdomen, and buttocks. In addition, it encourages relaxation, allowing your natural beauty to shine through this confident posture.
How to do this pose?
- Lay your feet shoulder-width apart firmly pressing on the ground
- Slightly bend your knees and roll your shoulders backward and keep them in line
- Face your palms forward and stretch out your neck and keep a slight gaze to the front
- Focus only on your breathing; keep it even
- Hold this yoga pose for up to one minute and repeat
2. Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Dog Pose)
This specific pose stretches out our lower body and our upper body, especially our shoulders, arms, and abdomen. In addition, this pose tunes our foot muscles, like the plantar fascia which connects the heel and the foot. If well executed, it can improve walking and make you strong enough to handle more physically draining exercises. This pose stimulates blood flow, refreshing your skin and providing a natural glow to your face.
How to do this pose?
- Get down on your knees and place your hands on the ground
- Lift your hips while straightening your legs and arms
- Try to maintain a straight line in your pose from your hands to your hips
- Keep your toes on the ground and release the pressure from your neck and shoulders
- Hold this pose for one minute and repeat
3. Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II)
This yoga pose is considered tough because of its strict arrangement. It stretches your hips and shoulders, expands your chest, helps with backaches, improves concentration, and gives stability. Moreover, this pose maintains good blood flow through the body.
How to do this pose?
- Step one foot to the front, with its knee bent at a 90-degree angle
- Keep your back leg extended and your foot firmly on the ground
- Extend your arms opposite to each other and slightly gaze toward the front
- Keep your weight evenly distributed between both legs
- Hold this position for about 1 minute and repeat on the opposite side
4. Vrikshasana (Tree Pose)
The tree pose makes you feel like a mighty tree with a sense of floating through your standing leg. This pose involves your ankles, legs, and core and challenges the tiny movements which help you stay balanced. The importance is that it allows you to improve your posture and improve your poise. You will feel a sense of inner peace when you master this pose.
How to do this pose?
- Firstly, stand tall with your feet together
- Place the soul of the opposite foot on your inner thigh by shifting all of your weight on one leg
- To make it more challenging, clasp your hands together like you’re praying or stretch your hands like they’re branches. Hold this for 30 seconds
5. Ustrasana (Camel Pose)
The camel pose has its importance in strengthening your spine. It works on your core strength and lets you reduce that stubborn stomach fat. Likewise, this pose removes toxins from the blood, which makes your hair and skin look glamorous. As the pose involves expanding your chest, it improves hormone function and works on your abdomen, relieving pain from menstrual cramps.
How to do this pose?
- Kneel on the ground and place your hands on your back
- Gently arch your back making your heart face the ceiling
- Elongate your neck while slightly gazing upwards
- If you are comfortably arching your back, rest your hands on your soles
- Hold this position for 30 seconds
6. Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand Pose)
This pose can be quite challenging. It improves blood flow to your brain, replenishing your cells and organs at the deepest level, thereby improving your natural beauty. If this pose is well-mastered, then your skin texture will be improved, reducing pimples and wrinkles. Practicing this pose will give you a sense of weightlessness and precision.
How to do this pose?
- Lie on the ground and lift both of your legs upward
- Lift your torso and hips off the ground and try to keep it straight as possible
- Support your back with your hands
- As a beginner, try to find your balance and the place where your weight is placed on your shoulders
- Keep your head on the floor.
- Hold the position for 1 minute and you can keep it longer when you master it.
7. Savasana (Corpse Pose)
It is practiced as the last pose after your intense yoga session. Since it is a pose that promotes relaxation, it ensures blood flows throughout your entire body, relieving your stress and tension. It allows you to absorb all of the energy from your earlier yoga poses, gathering your body, mind, and spirit into one piece. Similarly, this pose embraces the state of serenity, allowing your natural radiance to shine.
How to do this pose?
- Lie flat on your back, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing
- Hold on to this position as long as you need
Conclusion
True beauty depends not only on what’s seen outside, but the inside also matters. Be confident and accept who you are; practice yoga mindfully and develop your body and soul to unlock your true potential and natural beauty.