A VITAL TOOL IN ACHIEVING AND MAINTAINING OUR HEALTH

- Do we have the power to heal our own bodies?

- Is there a programme within our physical, mental or spiritual bodies that we can tap into and activate when we are ill? If so how can we access it?

Yoga is by far one of the easiest and most enjoyable methods to achieve powerful physical and mental transformations. In Robin Sharma's book, "MegaLiving", the author lists the outstanding benefits of yoga as Longevity Secret No.4. So if you are looking to live to a ripe old age, and still keep all your faculties, yoga may be just be the thing. Afterall, the wise sages of India designed yoga thousands of years ago as a means of achieving and maintaining perfect health of the mind, body and spirit. If it worked for them - just think what it can do to improve your health and wellbeing!

In short, through a number of physical exercises (asanas), and general relaxation techniques, a lighter diet (sattvic), good breathing practice and positive thinking, a person can elevate his condition to one of real excellence where the mind and body become one for lasting good health.

We are told that the mind can only hold one thought at a time, so while you are concentrating on the posture and your breathing, you can't think about the pressures and problems of your life. In addition to being a great tool to aid relaxation, it is also therapeutic and when practised regularly, can be helpful in preventing debilitating illnesses such as arthritis and osteoporosis.

BEHIND THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF YOGA

Yoga postures are designed to place the organs in different anatomical positions and squeezed and spread, dampened and dried, heated and cooled. The organs are supplied with fresh blood, gently massaged, relaxed and toned into a state of optimum health.

THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

The nervous system is like a building with lots of electrical wires - nothing happens until this system is tapped via a light switch or some appliance. If nothing is activated, the electrical system just sits and rots. The same is true of the sensory system in our bodies. 90% of all sensory impulses come from the joints and muscles, thus contracting muscles and moving joints have a profound affect on all neurological functions and every other system of the body.