Patanjali Yoga is one of the founding philosophies of the movement created, according to the most recent researches, around the 2nd century BC. The lengthy text divided into four main books in the form of sutras or threads presenting the ancient wisdom that can guide us. Behind the simplicity, however, lies a complicated thought that yogis have tried to interpret for thousands of years. The Patanjali Yoga can help martial artists to train their inner self, allowing themselves to become better fighters thanks to the eight limbs, on which Patanjali Yoga is based.

Yama is a set of social principles based on morals that will help you rediscover the core values of martial arts. It proclaims for nonviolence and truth and honesty as well as for abandonment of all greed.

Niyama is perhaps the most important part of Patanjali Yoga for martial artists as it teaches you how to treat your inner self in a responsible manner. You will be able to achieve purity of the mind and soul through the practice of the yamas of the first limb. Contentment is also essential for finding your true self – moments of happiness should be welcomed. Adopting discipline in training your body as well as in your mind and speech will allow you to have total control of yourself.

Asana is the third limb that proclaims the practice of the special poses not as exercises, but as part of the spiritual preparation for meditation. Martial artists will benefit greatly from Pranayama, which presents a full teaching of breathing techniques allowing for physical endurance and concentration.

With mastering Pratyahara you will be able to prevent the different environmental distractions from disturbing your inner concentration. The Dharana limb teaches you how to focus on an object. After achieving concentration the fighter can go into a state of Dhyana – interrupted meditation allowing for perfect self awareness.

While practicing all these techniques the yogis has one sole purpose – to reach Samadhi. This limb is the ultimate bliss allowing you to become one with the universe.

Unfortunately, we do not know enough about the ancient history of martial arts although we have come a long way learning the fighting techniques that have emerged in East Asia and have become professional sports today. For most of use yoga and the martial arts have nothing in common, but if you pay some attention to the movements you will notice a great similarity. Furthermore, there is historic evidence that yoga lies in the foundation of these practices.

China and India had had extensive historic relations, which were intensified after 600 BC. This resulted in an exchange of ideas that allowed for the yoga techniques to be incorporated in fighting. The spread of Buddhism throughout China in the beginning of the new era is believed to have brought about a wider spread of the Indian martial arts. There is little written evidence on the exact initiation of the process, but there is a legend that has been spread around for centuries presenting a somewhat romantic version.

The saying goes that the Buddhist monks had already devised meditation techniques, but they had not found a practice, which allows them to stay healthy. Around 5^th AD a mythical figure emerged – a prince who had become a Buddhist monk known as Bodhidharma. He is believed to be the founding father of Kungfu in Shaolin. After arriving at the Buddhist sanctuary Bodhidharma taught the monks to use an ancient Indian technique that strengthened the mind, body and spirit allowing them to be in perfect unity. Still, the monastery’s records claim that there were monks mastering the marital arts techniques years before the arrival of the legendary prince.

We might never know what the exact story was, but the reality is that both the Indian and Chinese martial arts codes have common principles, which suggests common history between the surviving fighting techniques and yoga.

The benefits of practicing yoga along with mixed martial arts are numerous. Apart from efficiently increasing your strength, the performance of various exercises can help you become more flexible and more focused as well as less stressed. There are a number of asanas that will aid you in developing your core strength, which in turn will allow you to fight better and to sustain fewer injuries.

The Vrksasana, also known as the tree pose, requires you to stand on the floor with your two feet together and buttocks tight. After lifting your hands up and straightening your back you will be able to breathe better. Next you should slowly lift your left leg with the knee bent sticking your left foot onto your right thigh. The Utkatasana requires you to stand up and move your buttocks downwards keeping your arms up. Then you should lift your chest keeping your back straight.

The Plank is an unofficial asana, but it has proven to be efficient in developing the muscles of the body. You can also using as a starting position for a number of other asanas. You can use the traditional standard Plank you are used to. From this position you can perform the Chaturanga Dandasana by lowering your body to almost touch the ground. It is essential to move your elbows upwards and not on the side. You can also use the basic Plank position to perform the Vasisthasana. Turn on your left by bringing all the strength on your right hand and foot. While keeping your back straight, put your left foot on the right one and lift your left hand up, do not tuck your elbow.

You have to hold each position for thirty seconds and repeat it three times to achieve optimal strengthening in your muscles. In turn, you will improve your performance in the mixed martial arts.

The common misconception today is that the ancient techniques for training the mind, spirit and body are just for women who want to skip serious weight loss exercises. On the contrary, these practices can be quite useful even in serious fighting disciplines such as Jiu-Jitsu and the mixed martial arts. Yoga is a voluminous teaching and anyone can easily get lost in it. Thankfully there is the Yoga for Fighters program that has made it easier to take advantage of the beneficial exercises.

The creator of this training system is a master in Jiu-Jitsu and yoga, who has years of experience in devising programs for the most famous and successful BJJ and MMA fighters. When reading the numerous websites and blogs you might find a lot of mocking comments on the use of yoga practices in the training process, but these are made by people that are merely spectators and have seen only the glamorous side of the fights. The reality is that there is a lot of specific work behind each success story.

Even of you are not heading towards the MMA and BJJ championships, you can readily take advantage of the techniques presented in Yoga for Fighters. You will be able to increase your flexibility and in turn improve both your attack and defense. There are yoga exercises specifically that will allow you to enhance your core strength and endurance as well. Most champions devote a substantial amount of time and effort on improving their balance and posture, techniques for which are included in the Yoga for Fighters program. The breathing exercises will make you more focused and energetic.

The yoga system is designed to train the mind of the fighter as well as their physique. You will be in total control of yourself as long as you master the emotional intelligence and mental edge agility techniques.