For the past two or three decades, yoga has grown into this amazing practice that has gotten so many people hooked. The vast majority of people who indulge in yoga are young western women. When you surf the internet, there is a section built around yoga practices. It has totally escalated. We see it every day on the internet, in commercials, and in magazines.
Even though the pictures painted for us on these platforms do not completely capture the full essence of yoga, it is amazing that people are taking interest in it.
Furthermore, yoga is a lot of things combined. It involves a lot of self-disciplinary practices, such as meditation, chanting, mantra, ritual, and selfless action. Yoga is all about connecting; it helps build our spirituality.
Yoga has so many advantages which most people do not seem to know about. This article is going to talk about the physical and mental advantages of Yoga.
5 Physical Benefits of Yoga
The physical benefits of yoga go beyond the usual stronger bones and flexibility. Yoga can also play a huge role in boosting your immune system and enhancing your cardiovascular functioning. Here are some of the yoga benefits you do not know about.
Yoga Burns Calories
Yoga is one of the fastest ways to burn calories. This can be enhanced if yoga is done in a confined and heated space. So, here is an idea the next time you are doing yoga, “Turn up the heat”.
Improves Cardiovascular Health
Yoga is a good way to challenge your lungs, heart, and muscle functionalities. Obviously, consistently challenging these muscles help to improve their abilities. This is also more effective when done in a heated space. In addition, hot yoga is also a way to improve respiration and metabolism.
Improves Flexibility
It should come as no surprise to anyone when we say that some of the poses done during yoga requires some kind of flexibility to achieve. For instance, “The downward facing dog” and the “Half standing fold”. These poses require some level of flexibility to attain.
Also, these poses will require you to maintain consistent practice. The more you practice, the more flexible you become.
Helps Immunity
We all know that yoga is a stress-relief activity. This characteristic also makes it good for humans and our immune system. The immune system provides some kind of resistance towards illness, diseases, and many more.
How does stress and your immune system connect? Well, when your body undergoes too much stress during a particular time, it tends to reduce the effective nature of your immune system. Therefore, yoga is recommended for all people because this is the best remedy for stress.
Improves Balance
Let’s use the tree pose as a reference. The tree pose is a yoga pose where you put your hands together in the air, and place one foot resting on your other knee while trying to balance on one leg.
It is a very complicated pose. During yoga, you will be required to maintain that posture for some minutes. Consistently doing this pose will definitely improve your balance.
Furthermore, your balance is not only for yoga poses, it is also good for your every day life. It also helps athletes during games.
Lastly, it should be noted that the tree pose is one of many yoga poses that helps to maintain balance.
4 Mental Benefits of Yoga
Studies have been conducted, proving that yoga helps improve your mental health, and increases your efficiency in your day-to-day activities. Here are some of the mental health benefits that come with practicing yoga.
Helps Relieve Symptoms of Depression
There are studies that have proven that yoga works just as well as anti-depressants and therapy for treating major depressive disorder. It is also said that it might offer more advantages to the depressed patient because it is inexpensive and has lesser side effects as opposed to therapy and medications.
Reduces Stress
This is one similarity that yoga has with exercising. It is an amazing stress relieve activity. A survey was carried out in America, where yoga practitioners were asked why they did yoga, and 86% of the answers came with this reply “It helps to manage stress”.
Yoga creates a tension-free environment; couple with the calm music and positive mindsets. Plus, yoga helps to tighten your muscles, which can reduce the tension on your mind.
Eases Anxiety
Studies have shown that anxiety is related to breathing problems. Yoga can easily help with that through the breathing exercises that are usually conducted during practice.
Releases Feel-Good Hormones
Just like exercise, yoga also caused the body to release feel-good chemicals. These are chemicals that help boost your mood, and in turn reflects on your day. Chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine are released to the brain, which puts you in a lighter mood.
Getting Started with Yoga
Yoga is a fantastic way to improve your physical strength, flexibility, and mental well-being. Let’s dive right in and explore how you can begin your yoga journey.
First things first, find a comfortable and quiet space where you can practice without any distractions. It could be a spare room, your living room, or even a quiet corner in your bedroom. Make sure you have enough room to move around freely.
Next, grab yourself a yoga mat. While it’s not absolutely necessary, a yoga mat provides some cushioning and helps prevent your hands and feet from slipping during poses. If you don’t have a mat, a non-slippery surface like a carpet or a soft towel can work too.
Now, let’s talk about clothing. Wear something comfortable and stretchy, like leggings or sweatpants, and a breathable top. You want to be able to move freely without any restrictions. Also, consider removing your shoes and socks before starting, as it helps with balance and stability.
Now, onto the actual yoga practice! There are numerous styles of yoga, so it’s essential to find one that resonates with you. You can start with beginner-friendly styles like Hatha or Vinyasa. YouTube and online platforms offer plenty of free yoga classes for all levels. Look for instructors who provide clear instructions and demonstrate the poses effectively.
Remember, yoga is not just about the physical aspect but also about mindfulness and connecting with your breath. So, take a moment to center yourself and focus on your breathing before you begin. Inhale deeply through your nose, filling your belly, and exhale slowly through your mouth, letting go of any tension.
Start with simple poses and gradually progress as you gain more confidence and flexibility. Some beginner-friendly poses include Child’s Pose, Downward Dog, and Mountain Pose. Don’t push yourself too hard; listen to your body and respect its limits. It’s better to start slow and build up gradually to prevent any injuries.
Consistency is key! Try to set aside a regular time for your yoga practice. It could be a few minutes every day or a longer session a few times a week. Whatever works best for you. As you continue practicing, you’ll notice improvements in your strength, flexibility, and overall well-being.
Finally, remember that yoga is a journey, not a destination. Be patient with yourself, embrace the process, and enjoy every step along the way. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to a qualified yoga instructor or a local yoga studio.
So, are you ready to roll out your mat and embark on your yoga adventure? Take that first step, and you’ll be amazed at the positive impact it can have on your mind, body, and soul. Happy stretching!
Common Yoga Interests
Conclusion
Most yoga practitioners know the benefits of yoga, which is why they have decided to make it a lifestyle. This is something that can get you out of depression, reduce your stress, boost your immune system, and improve your body flexibility. It is safe to say that this is something you should adopt.
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