Yoga in Kerala

Yoga and Ayurveda are interlinked and both have equal tradition of about 5000 years. Yoga is encompassed with body, mind and spirit, involving exercise, breathing and meditation. As in the case of Ayurveda, Yoga is also originated in India and yogis (sages) are the originators. The first archaeological evidence of yoga was detected in stone seals excavated from Indus valley in which yoga postures were carved. It is achieved by 08 fold yogic practices. Yoga has three approaches – power, meditation and therapy.

Power
The wholesome objective of yoga is to gain control over body and mind. The physical and mental exercise results in the linkage of body and mind. Yoga - vigorous and disciplined exercise - provides controlling power over body and breath. At this state the mind gets glued to concentration. The power of control is derived from three sources.
A) Control of the body via physical postures. B) Control of the breath by breathing techniques. C) Power of concentration by mental techniques or say willpower.

Meditation
Self inquiry is the primary focus of meditation. Here yoga acts as a tool for deeper relationship with one’s sense of soul severing unwanted thoughts and feelings and underlying in deep concentration.

Therapy
Yoga acts as a restorative and preventive therapy to overcome emotional and health problems. It makes the body viable to cure diseases and disease resistant in many cases.

Power, meditation and therapy are complimentary to each other in maintaining physical fitness, psychological up-keep and spiritual upbeat. http://www.karmakerala.com/guide/Yoga