Yoga Teacher Training Forum

Hari OM,

Yoga for anyone of any age is beneficial for complete health. At middle age we become aware of pain. According to Paulji, yoga was developed for the prevention and end of suffering. In order to have a better quality of life, yogic health maintenance must be part of your life. many people downplay the value of asana (yoga postures).

The yoga postures also benefit the digestive system, the joints and the skin. Moving and stretching the muscles around the bones lubricate the joints. The skin is made strong through skin cells that are firm as a result of oxygenated blood and an ample water supply.

Skin, muscle and bone are very important, in fact, vital, to the existence of the being. It is, therefore, vital to maintain the body in efficient working order and, indeed, life-threatening to do anything else. But this means nothing without the last corner of the triangle we are drawing today; and that is how yoga creates mental health in a practitioner. While we just focused extensively on the pure physical aspects of yoga, now we will shift to the mental health gains sought by the yoga method.

The end goal of a yogic practice is, essentially, Samadhi or enlightenment. This could also be described as the union of the self and God. One can only attain true enlightenment if the mind is completely unfettered or disturbed in any way. A calm mind is essential to a yogis ultimate goal of transcendence. There are many yoga traditions that adhere to the belief that the breathing exercises and postures exercises are preparing the body and mind for meditation. Meditation, or concentrating your energy inward, will enable the yogi to hear and feel enlightenment as it washes over the soul.

One could easily say that this mental state is the optimum a human can work toward the healthiest mental state.

Om Tat Sat

Tai