Monday 8 September 2008

PRACTICING YOGA IN THE SERENE BEAUTY OF KERALA






Yoga in Kerala


Yoga is a way of life, a philosophy of living that strives for balance between the mind, body and spirit and seeks to maintain all these aspects of a person in a healthy and active state. The word Yoga means union and suggests the union of the body, mind and spirit. Yoga as it is commonly practiced around the world is called Hatha Yoga and was formalized by the sage Patajali in his work the Yoga Sutras. Patanjali is therefore known as the Father of Yoga. You can learn more about Yoga in the land of its birth - India, on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.


Hatha Yoga consists of a series of postures or asanas, which provide flexibility to the body and tones its muscles. The combination of various asanas can provide a complete workout and provide both physical and mental relaxation. The concentration and mental discipline as well as the breathing exercises of Yoga are an essential part of the practice of Yoga. The Ashtanga Yoga devised by Guru Patanjali is a complete plan for the holistic development of an individual. These eight steps are Disciplined Behavior (Yama), Self Purification (Niyama), Bodily Posture (Asana), Breath control (pranayama), Sensual control (Pratyahara), Concentration (Dharana), Meditation (Dhyana), Absolute state of tranquility and eternity (Samadhi). Feel the power of Yoga on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

Today there are various schools of Yoga around the world, including Iyengar Yoga and Bikram Yoga. The practise of yoga by celebrities has added to its popular image. Asanas such as Savasana which produces a state of relaxation and Suryanamaskara, which involves stretching all the muscles of the body in a prayer to the Sun God, are of tremendous help in combating stress and keeping the body flexible.
You can experience the healing powers of yoga in yoga ashrams in Kerala, on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

The advanced practitioner of yoga can control his or her blood pressure, and yoga has been proved to help patients with diabetes, hypertension and arthritis. The healing powers of yoga, when practiced correctly with the help of a guru can help you achieve a better union of mind, body and spirit.

Some of the Yoga Centers in Kerala which you can visit on Kerala Tours with Kerala Backwater are Ayur Health Center Fort, Sivananda Ashram, Neyyar Dam, Sivananada Yoga Vedanta Centre in Trivandrum; Kollam Yoga Kendra, Uilyakoil, Jawahar Balabhavan and Holistic Eastern Advance Research Temple (Heart) in Kollam; and Prajapahi Yoga center, Kacheripady, Life Yoga Center, Edapally, Adithya Yoga Institute, Thrikkakara, Pathanjali Naturopathy & Yoga Clinic, Kaloor and Kerala Yoga Centre, in Kochi, Kerala India. You can feel the holistic positive energy of yoga in these yoga ashrams in Kerala.

1 comment:

Akash Vasudev said...

It is a blissful experience to practice yoga by enjoying the beauty of Kerala. I have been to some Yoga and Meditation Centres that offer a fantastic experience of practising yoga in the ambience of serene nature. And, one should experience that calmness when visiting Kerala.