Yoga originated from India some 5,000 years ago and today more than ever the benefits of a regular practice have been recognised by millions of people across the world as a way of life.
In todays world of hustle and bustle, constant demands and often a restless mind, Yoga has been embraced to calm the mind and body, improve strength, flexibility and balance, whilst integrating an overall feeling of health and wellbeing.
The link between how we think and how we feel can impact our daily lives as well as our outlook, self talk, connection and disconnection from others and even our own limiting beliefs.
The western world together with continued medical research, has identified the multifaceted benefits of yoga that help cultivate mindful awareness within ourselves and our view of our mind and body as one. Some of the studies of yoga and the mind body connection are often published through the Harvard Medical school, Yoga Australia, and multiple books and publications.
Below are just a few examples:
Flexibility
Studies have seen flexibility in the body increasing through a regular yoga practice even after a short period of time.
As the muscles, tissues, ligaments and fascia have an increased range of motion with the various postures, flexibility comes through lengthening and strengthening assisting a deeper practice, protection and stability in the body whilst supporting the body with balance, as well as assisting in the prevention of injury.
Strength
Building and developing strength in the body through a regular practice can prevent injuries in everyday life as well as on the yoga mat.
Yoga works with large and small muscles, stretching and releasing tissues and the fascia providing overall tone to the body.
Strengthening the back and the core, our key stability points in the body, plays a vital role in our everyday life too.
Endurance and resilience through a regular yoga practice is equally cultivated through the range of asanas and postures.
Posture
Poor posture can lead to neck and back problems, holding your head directly over a straight spine can assist in avoiding aches and pains as well as any other longer term degeneration through poor posture. Yoga assists with becoming more aware of the body through consciously being mindful of alignment in postures and how the body feels and reacts. Similar to our state of mind and feeling in the body if we hunched our shoulders and chest forward rather than our shoulders back and chest and heart open.
Balance
Activating core muscles in the body supports flexibility, concentration, and balance which also assists in the protection of falls and injury.
As we age, falls can be more prevalent, engaging the core and developing balance and awareness can be so beneficial at any age.
Improves a sense of happiness
More and more studies are making the connection of a reduction in stress and depression with a regular yoga practice through the increase of serotonin in the body. Taking a class with others, or even on your own, allowing yourself the gift of time to practice is perfect for holistic wellbeing.
Relaxation and peace within
We are often present in person, though our minds are not. The innate chatter in our minds so often can lead to feeling overwhelmed.
Yoga helps slow down the mind, giving the ability and clarity to see situations and thoughts at a different pace.
