Yoga Can Greatly Enhance Wellness When Practiced in an Integral Way

This is a wonderful opportunity and forum to discuss the pros and cons of Yoga. Defending a pro or con perspective of anything can, in my opinion, create polarity and be narrow minded. There is always a way to merge both sides of the equation if we can be open enough to receive other perspectives. Like any discipline, I feel that it’s quite important to set an intention of the outcomes that one is looking to achieve by taking on a particular practice.  

What is Yoga? Defined, Yoga means Unity. Uniting or joining is historically referred to the body, mind and spirit. In my opinion, this is a crucial component of a Yoga practice and must be incorporated into one’s routine in order to achieve the full benefits of practice. I’m referring to Yoga as being much more than just the physical activity it has mostly been known for in our western culture.

The physical and mental benefits of yoga have been reported by many devotees through the ages and I feel they are undeniable. Yoga can build strength, enhance flexibility, cultivate breath consciousness, quiet the mind and create harmony and inner balance. These outcomes have been reported throughout Yoga’s history as well as by many practicing individuals and could be found in many books and popular journals.