Be Healthy

 

YOGA, EXERCISE AND MEDITATION

What is exercise? It is a form of activity in which an individual uses physical power to improve health and fitness. It helps build cardiac power, muscle power, flexibility, endurance and relaxation.

On the other hand, yoga is a form of practice which had been in use since Indian history. Meditation is a form of spiritual activity where an individual engages in relaxation and being within themselves. It's from India that these ancient spiritual practices have originated and now is done all around the world.

Yoga not only helps in improving flexibility and physical health, but also helps in calming the mind, cleansing the body internally and externally and energizing the body.

What is the difference between exercise and yoga?

Exercise is working out physically to improve physical health. But in the case of Yoga, it is a more spiritual practice that has roots in a very deep concept, unlike exercise. A proportion of Yoga, Exercise and Meditation together every day can be extremely healthy for everyone. You could wake up in the morning at 5 am, do yoga and pranayama for half an hour. Then at 5:30, you can go to the gym, do some stretches for another half an hour. Before going to sleep, you can meditate for 10-15 minutes. 

Yoga (30 minutes):

• Asanas
• Pranayama
• Eye Exercises (Trataka Kriyas)
• Other general kriyas
• Accupressure

Exercise (30 minutes):

• Treadmill
• Cross-trainer
• Stretches

Meditation (10-15 minutes):

• Closing the eyes (do not press them together)
• Concentrating on breathing
• Try to not think anything. When thoughts come, label it as a thought and see the bigger picture instead of zooming in on the thought. To overcome a problem, grow bigger than the problem! That's what Lord Hanuman taught us in the Ramayana, when he grew big to leap over the ocean to reach Lanka :)

Not only doing activities like this, but other things are also important:

• At least 30 minutes of sunlight. If possible, 1 hour. 
• Eating proper food. Eat lots of vegetables and fruits and prevent eating oily and sugary foods. Sometimes you can eat whenever you have parties. That doesn't mean you host a party everyday!
• Don't take stress on little things. It's okay if you aren't able to complete your work because your health is more important. Only if you're healthy you can enjoy what you do!
• If you have a problem, ask yourself if you can do anything about it. If you can, do it. If not, forget about it. Either way, don't worry, because nothing is temporary.
• Sometimes you can use the first one or two hours when you wake up for other stuff like reading/studying. Then from 6 am you can exercise for one hour.
• The routine mentioned above can be done on weekends. On weekdays, you can do yoga one day, exercise the next, if that's what works for you!

And here's a Golden Tip for you all!

Always be happy and remember to have positive self-talk!

Follow these tips and stay healthy :D

Picture credit: Google