The Mind Creative OCTOBER 2013 | Page 20

The Mind Creative OCT 2013 The Essence of Yoga Yoga works on a three tier level of the mind, body and the soul by combining breathing exercises, physical exercises and meditation techniques. Certain postures in Yoga are designed to put pressure on specific body parts and on the glandular systems within the body. These pressures force fresh oxygenated blood to flow through the body which in turn enforces toxins to be flushed out. Yoga deems that breath is the source of life (“praana”) and that breathing exercises refresh the mind. The combination of physical exercise and breathing techniques prepare the body and mind for the third tier – meditation. Meditation, in turn, removes mental stress and induces peace and harmony within the soul. The objective is to establish a fine balance between the mind and the body so that we become more positive, creative, confident and productive. 20