Interest in this traditional practice has been piqued by the mind-body connection, and studies reveal that it can lower stress levels and blood pressure, enhance on-the-job performance, and even slow the aging process.
Even though the focus of yoga might vary depending on the environment, its central premise is to relax your body and keep your mind alert and focused. For instance, by practicing yoga, your focus in on the movements of your body, your breath, a certain sound, or possibly an object. When your mind wanders, as it inevitably will, you bring your attention back and start again.
The ancient practice of yoga garnered renewed interest in the 1960s, when those interested in consciousness began to follow its practices. But after this, yoga started to decline in popularity. This might be because yoga isn't quite the same as many other kinds of exercise.
For example, you need patience in order to get its full benefits. The results are slow but steady. This is in direct contrast to the almost frenetic activity and quick results of aerobics.
Lots of people hurry out to exercise energetically during their lunch break, and then dash back to their workplace. No doubt there are physical benefits, but nevertheless it increases the pressure of an already busy life. In contrast, yoga offers a less stressful and competitive workout, and at the same time imparts a sense of just "being."
One of the major reasons yoga is making a comeback is because it can be so healing as an activity. The intense focus on fitness created by workout routines such as weight lifting, running and aerobics has led to an increase in injury, particularly strained knees and back and neck pain.
These days, it's not uncommon for the mainstream medical profession, including orthopedic surgeons, neurologists and chiropractors, to recommend yoga to their patients.
In fact, it's moving to the mainstream increasingly. Hospitals and businesses are now teaching yoga techniques, books about yoga are bestsellers, and discussion groups on the Internet have sprung up to talk about this "new" innovation.
Interestingly, even the U.S. Army has demonstrated its interest in yoga. It has asked the National Academy of Sciences to study New Age techniques such as meditation to see if soldiers' performance can be enhanced in this way.
Also, yoga has become popular among those who weight train, run or do aerobics because of its stress reducing benefits.
Approximately 60 to 90% of doctors' visits in the U.S. are related to stress. Mind-body approaches offer cost-effective and safe treatments for this ailment that don't involve drugs or surgery. Among people who use these techniques, 34% of patients who are infertile get pregnant within six months, while 70% of those who have trouble sleeping or even have medically defined insomnia become regular sleepers. In addition, the numbers of those suffering from pain and making regular doctor visits because of it go down by 36%.
