There are many benefits to doing yoga, and doing yoga does not mean pulling out a mat, changing into yoga clothes and sweating it out. Yes, hot yoga is very popular, as are yoga studios, but we don’t need to spend an hour in a yoga studio to experience the benefits of this ancient art of serenity and exercise. Yoga can be performed anywhere. It is especially beneficial for people who sit all day in their jobs and one of the reasons the phrase “desk yoga” has become so popular.
To truly understand the benefits and different types of yoga, it is helpful to understand its history and where it has evolved from. Yoga began approximately 5,000 years ago in northern India as a practice for general wellbeing. There are six schools of philosophy of Hinduism, and yoga is a part of each school, as well as a major part in the major practices of Buddhism.[1]
When we attend a yoga class, we are most likely attending an asana class. Asana is one part of the eight-fold path called Ashtanga Yoga, and Ashtanga means eight limbs or branches. Asana is considered a physical yoga posture and merely one branch of this ancient art. According to the history of yoga, asana means “that which is performed within a defined space.” “‘It is the manner of sitting or the seat whereon one sits’ said Vachaspati Mishra, an early proponent of Samkhya Yoga. The great Indian philosopher Vachaspati Mishra lived in the 9th century AD.”[2]
There are many benefits to yoga, but let’s look at the top 10 list:
10 health benefits of Yoga[3]
- Improves posture
- Increases flexibility
- Builds muscle strength
- Boosts metabolism
- Helps in lowering blood sugar
- Increases blood flow
- Keep diseases at bay
- Increases self-esteem
So, let’s talk about getting down to business and doing some yoga at our desks today. Hey, it is Monday, and we should start the week off right. After all, we deserve it. Here is a link that is perfect to do throughout the day, giving great benefits, while sitting at our desks. And, it only takes 5 minutes! Enjoy the serenity!
5-Minute Break – Office Yoga from beyoutifulliving.
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