Our mantra is that our bodies are our temples. One of the ways we stay mindful of our lives and boost our self-care routines is by staying active and centered through yoga. You may already know that yoga can increase strength, improve flexibility, and help you sleep better.
But did you know that yoga offers other benefits that go beyond our leggings and mats? It’s true – and there are many different styles of yoga to suit any yogi. Let’s look at some of the health benefits of this beautiful mind and body workout so you can “Yuj” or unite your mind and body with yoga.
Benefits of yoga for health, mind and body
History suggests that yoga in one form or another has been around for over 5,000 years – and possibly dates back over 10,000 years. The term “Yoga” is derived from Sanskrit, and its root “Yuj”, which means “to join” or “to unite”.
The concept of yoga focuses on the union of mind, body and spirit with universal consciousness, and likewise on the connection of man and nature. This emphasis is to encourage you to take control of your health. In this we find the heart and purpose of yoga, recognizing how it can elevate one’s well-being and mindfulness with continued practice.
If you’ve considered trying yoga, you may have been impressed (albeit a little overwhelmed) or even skeptical by the number of “healing powers” and styles of yoga that exist. With so many different types of practice, there is an incredible array of benefits that make yoga not just an impact, but an essential part of life for new and seasoned yogis alike.
Here are some key benefits of yoga:
breathe better
Yoga allows your lungs to breathe. Can we say that it’s like a big breath of fresh and refreshing air?! Yoga encourages you to relax and take slow, fewer, larger breaths, shifting the balance to the parasympathetic nervous system. This signals your body to calm down and breathe better and more efficiently.
Yoga also promotes breathing through the nose, which filters the air, warms it (cold, dry air is more likely to trigger an asthma attack in sensitive people) and humidifies it, removing pollen and dirt and other things you’d rather not take into your lungs.
Better body awareness
Regular yoga practice encourages self-care or “body awareness.” Due to the body-mind well-being promoted by yoga, devoting this time to physical well-being increases our attention to the sensations and things happening inside ourselves. It is believed that increased body awareness can improve the way people take care of themselves in their daily lives.
Improves cardiovascular health
Since yoga gets your blood flowing, it’s no surprise that this mind-body workout is heart-healthy. Yoga increases levels of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to tissues. As it thins the blood, it can reduce clots, which can eventually reduce heart attacks and strokes, as blood clots are often the fatal culprit.
Since deep breathing is at the heart of yoga, its benefits also extend to people with heart conditions. Practicing yoga can lower heart rate and blood pressure, and reduce high cholesterol and blood sugar, all of which can increase your risk of heart disease.
Reduces pain in the lower back and other joints
The frequent stretches and poses of yoga help relieve common body aches, such as knee pain, lower back pain, and other common issues. With improved flexibility, you’ll notice a gradual release, which can help with misalignment – the common cause of knee pain and flattening of the lumbar spine, which can cause back pain.
Yoga also improves your body’s balance and posture, which can reduce back, neck, and other muscle and joint problems. Whenever you practice yoga, you train your joints through their full range of motion, which can “reconnect” neglected areas of cartilage that eventually wear out, exposing you to various conditions, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome and other chronic conditions. conditions.
Improves emotional balance
An important component of yoga is to focus on the present. Regular yoga practice, such as sitting in uncomfortable yoga poses, helps find stillness within you. It improves emotional balance, helping you to better acquire and remember information, probably because you are less distracted by your thoughts and emotions.
Yoga gives your body a chance to release emotional blockages, stagnation, energy, and lingering past probably sick emotions. Additionally, when you balance the right and left sides of the brain, it results in greater emotional stability and increased emotional capacity.
Help with digestive problems
Ulcers, constipation, gas and bloating can be exacerbated by stress. So, if you stress less, you will suffer less. Some yoga positions can relieve constipation and other digestive problems because moving the body helps transport food and waste through the intestines faster. It is often a useful tool and a natural alternative therapy to drugs, but you should always consult a doctor first.
Improves muscle tone
Stronger, more toned muscles do more than look good. They also protect us against conditions such as arthritis and lower back pain. Regular movements and various yoga poses help strengthen the muscles. And when you build strength through yoga, you balance it with flexibility – a powerful duo for aligning key areas of your body with mental and physical balance.
Reduces stress/increases energy levels
A steady flow of yoga and this stress reduction leads to improved mental and physical energy. Studies have shown that practicing yoga helps increase serotonin levels and relieve anxiety and depression.
Mindfulness is a key part of reducing stress and anxiety, and is a natural byproduct of yoga. Yoga gives us time to focus on ourselves and better manage stress. It allows us to be present, feel more relaxed, relieve muscle tension, and invest in our mental and physical health.
We have always known that exercise is an essential part of our overall health. As you can see, our mantra is that our bodies are our temples. Yoga can’t conquer everything, but it can definitely help you take control of your life and improve not only your health, but also your overall well-being and happiness. Yoga fortifies your soul and in addition, “Om Shanti”, or leave with peace of mind, voice and physical body.
