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Yoga -- the Practice
Yoga exercise comprises asanas or postures that involve bending, stretching, turning and relaxation. Each yoga posture has a specific purpose. There are six main groups of yoga postures -- standing, inverted, twist, back bend, forward bend and side bend. Some of the movements and positions in yoga were invented after observing animals, because the creatures appeared to be using minimum effort. Yoga postures offer the following special benefits.
- Standing: Improves effectiveness throughout the whole body;
- Inverted: Balances the endocrine system and metabolism; enhances thinking ability;
- Twisting: Eases back pain and aids digestion;
- Back Bend: Encourages deep breathing;
- Forward Bend: Offers a sense of calm and improves blood flow;
- Side Bend: Stimulates main organs such as the liver, kidneys and stomach;
There are five branches of yoga -- raja, jnana, karma, bhakti and hatha. The last system, hatha, is the most popular form of yoga in the West. It became popular after the media publicized the successful treatment of a famous violinist through yoga.
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