Even if your main motivation for doing yoga is physical benefits, you will notice the mental benefits of the practice from your first class. The benefits of Yoga on mental health can be discussed at length for hours. But you will feel it when you start.
By being aware of our body, and connecting breath with movement, we have something to focus on. At that moment, our thoughts slow down, and we begin to relax. Science has proven time and time again that yoga improves mental health. A single class can remove the stress from that day, and regular yoga practice can relieve symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental illnesses.
I Believe Yoga Is #1 For Stress And Burnout. Protect Your Mental Health.
During burnout, when my mind went at a hundred miles an hour, yoga is the only place I could find peace. When the self-destructive thought patterns tried to take over, my mat was the only area of safety for me. When I was so stressed, I couldn’t stop crying. I turned to Yoga and Pilates. And when I was working 2 jobs during Covid and being a family career for my relatives, focusing on yoga was all that kept my head above water.
It Doesn’t Have To Be Hours Of Practice.
Whenever you feel stressed, anxious, or have negative thoughts about yourself and the world – try doing yoga. At least for 10 minutes. On your bedroom carpet or your living room rug. In your PJs or your workout clothes. It doesn’t matter. Yoga doesn’t judge you. Within the hour, you’ll get back to a calmer and more positive state of mind. With time, you will see the benefits last longer, and you will be able to use yoga as a type of self-therapy whenever you want to improve your mental well-being.
All styles of yoga will give you this feeling, whether you’re sweating through a challenging Vinyasa sequence or relaxing your body through a gentle Hatha practice.
For Me, It Has To Be Yin Yoga That Best Serves My Mental Health.
During my toughest challenges, Yin Yoga has been my retreat. This is when the Mental Health benefits of Yoga really came to light. The time and space that I allow my body to melt into the earth, rewards me tenfold. My parasympathetic system kicks in and the nerves relax from feeling the stress and danger signs. You can either listen to some gentle meditative music whilst in your practice or the TV, it really doesn’t matter. It’s about you. What makes YOU feel good. Me telling you that I feel one thing and that you should try it doesn’t make me a decent yoga teacher. What gives me the credibility that I have is that I demonstrate what is possible and then guide you to where you can take over the exploration into yourself.
Benefits of Yoga for Mind and Soul
Yoga is a great way to unwind, clear your thoughts, and feel more alive. Incorporating yogi stretching with meditation has another set of vital mental health benefits for your mind.
- Yoga breath work helps the brain’s nerve cell activation.
- Help you establish mindfulness which relieves chronic stress patterns.
- Reduces insomnia issues due to negative thoughts, anxiety, and stress.
- Help you sharpen concentration on work by calming negative thought processes
Benefits of Yoga for Body
If your emphasis is on building endurance, body control, balance, core strength, and flexibility, daily yoga practice will provide you with the following physical benefits.
- Improves respiration.
- Increases metabolism.
- Helps with weight loss.
- Increases flexibility in muscles.
- Increases mobility around joints.
- Help your tone and gain lean muscle mass.
- Relieves chronic joint and muscle pain syndrome.
- Reduces the risk of heart health problems like high blood pressure or cardiomyopathy.
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