Yoga offers numerous benefits that have a positive effect on body and mind in a variety of ways. Muscles are stretched and strengthened, inner peace is established, and stress is reduced, breathing exercises strengthen the nervous system, body awareness is improved, concentration is enhanced, and the increased oxygen intake has a positive effect on the heart and lungs. Originating in India, this philosophical teaching now looks back on a history spanning over 2,000 years, and countless people have benefited from its multifaceted advantages.
The roots of yoga in Hinduism
The middle Upanishads, the philosophical writings of Hinduism , which were written around 400 BC, mention the essential elements of today's yoga system and even use the term yoga several times. Yoga was closely linked to Samkhya, which is considered one of the oldest philosophical systems of Indian origin and deals with the enumeration and description of existence. Around 300 BC, yoga established itself in the Indian epic Mahabharata as a practical counterpart to the theoretical Samkhya. Between the 2nd century BC and the 4th century AD, the scholar Patanjali took up traditional yoga teachings and created his Yoga Sutra, a precise guideline that subsequently developed into an independent method of concentration and meditation. In his work, Patanjali described four different paths to attaining enlightenment.
The Handbook of Practical Yoga
In the 14th century, Svatmarama wrote the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, which was based on Tantrism and can be considered a manual of practical yoga. In addition to asanas (poses), the work also describes in detail the hand gestures known as mudras. Furthermore, the texts contain practical instructions for various breathing techniques intended to create a balance between body and mind. Today's mental training in darts sometimes uses traditional techniques to build mental strength. Because the exercises promote concentration, calm, and serenity, they are recommended as a regular part of the daily darts routine. This recommendation is based on the unanimous opinion of players and experts that 50 percent of the outcome of a darts game is decided in the mind, and that yoga can have a positive effect in this area.
Yoga in modern times
Tirumalai Krishnamacharya is considered a modern-day teacher who had a profound influence on the spread of yoga. He traveled through India between 1924 and 1989, presenting himself and his students in impressive poses. His strength and flexibility impressed many people and greatly increased interest in yoga. The uniqueness of each student was an important part of Krishnamacharya's philosophy, so he prescribed different practices and exercises for each student. In his opinion, every person requires a different type of yoga to achieve inner balance. Today, yoga equipment can be individually tailored. In addition to different mats, various yoga accessories are available that can be combined according to personal preferences. There is also a wide selection of materials. Yoga mats, among others, are available in various materials with different advantages. Yoga mats made of PVC, NBR, or TPE are non-slip, easy to clean, durable, and particularly long-lasting. In contrast, mats made of natural sheep's wool provide particularly soft seating and also have a self-cleaning function.
