In yogic culture Shiva is not known as a god, but as the Adiyogi or the first yogi – the originator of yoga.

In yogic culture Shiva is not known as a god, but as the Adiyogi or the first yogi – the originator of yoga. He was the one who first put this seed into the human minds. The Adiyogi brought this possibility that a human being need not be contained in the defined limitations of our species. There is a way to be contained in physicality but not to belong to it. There is a way to inhabit the body but never become the body. There is a way to use your mind in the highest possible way but still never know the miseries of the mind. Whatever dimension of existence you are in right now, you can go beyond that – there is another way to live. He said, “You can evolve beyond your present limitations if you do the necessary work upon yourself.” That is the significance of the Adiyogi. In Shiva the art of meditation takes its absolute form.

Yoga is becoming too popular and yoga has benefits.

1- Most of us spend the majority of our time thinking about the past or the future (regretting, worrying, planning), or checking out completely into the land of cell phones and social media. Many of the benefits of yoga stem from the ability to unplug and focus on what’s going on in your body and in your life right now. Happiness can only be found here and now.

2- It helps with stress relief. Yoga reduces perceived stress and anxiety, which in turn reduces the physical effects of stress on the body.

3- When we are less stressed we sleep better, and when we sleep better we are less stressed. Physical activity and mental relaxation fuel this virtuous cycle.

4- Studies suggest that practicing yoga reduces pain for people with conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune diseases, and hypertension as well as arthritis, back and neck pain, and other chronic conditions.

5- Yoga is a full-body workout, targeting all the muscles of the body with both static holds and dynamic movement. You’re supporting your own body weight, building functional strength in areas where you really need it.

6- Yoga increases mobility so that you can bring more ease to your movement and don’t feel so stuck in your body.

7- Physical activity increases the motility and mobility of the organs and muscles, allowing them to perform their natural detoxification process. Deep yogic breathing enhances the function of the lungs.

8- Yoga quiets the monkey mind. At the very beginning of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is Sutra 1.2: Yoga chitta vrtti nirodha, or “Yoga is the stilling (regulation, quieting) of the turnings of the mind.” Yoga teaches us how to step back from our churning thoughts and maintain a state of inner calm.

9- Yoga brings awareness and control to our breath patterns, allowing us to notice when our emotions are affecting our breath, and using the breath to calm our emotions. The more you can connect with your breath, the clearer you think, even in difficult situations.

10- Yoga asks you to challenge yourself. It build confidence to take on challenges beyond the mat.

11- Yoga is exercise, and you do burn calories doing yoga. It can help you control your weight by reducing stress, bringing mindfulness to your eating habits, and providing a heightened sense of well-being and self-esteem.

12- It helps with concentratin. Concentration is shifting your focus from many things at once to one thing at a time. Observing your body, breath and emotions through the yoga practice teaches you to focus your mind on one thing at a time.

13- By bringing awareness to your body and what it can do and clearing your head, you can see how much you have to be grateful for in your life. Many yogis begin and end their practices by dedicating their time on the mat to someone or something important to them. Can’t we all agree that the world could use a little more gratitude? ✨👁🌀🕉🙏

Hari Om Tat Sat ~ Har Har Mahadev ~ Om Namah Shivaya 🕉👁🕉