International Yoga Day - 21st June
Yoga Integrates Body, Mind,
and Spirit
Yoga has been around for about 4,500+ years, and while many regard it as just
another form of exercise—some even see it as a "fad"—it's really a
comprehensive practice that integrates
mental, physical, and spiritual elements.
The term ‘Yoga’ has been
derived from the Sanskrit word, ‘Yuj’ which means union. It can be explained as
the union of the mind and the body to achieve perfect harmony at the most
profound level. it helps us to reach a higher level of consciousness, thought a
transformation of the psychic organs.
With
regards to the latter, yoga can be viewed as a form of meditation that demands
your full attention as you move from one asana (yoga position) to another. As
you learn new ways of moving and responding to your body and mind, other areas
of your life tend to shift and change as well.
In
a sense, you not only become more physically flexible, but your mind and
approach to life may gain some needed flexibility as well. Your body and your
health will indeed change as you start implementing the correct lifestyle
changes, and yoga has received increased attention lately.
Improved
Heart Health – One of the Benefits of Yoga:
A
number of studies suggest that regular yoga classes can promote heart health.
One such study showed it helps improve atrial fibrillation
(irregular heartbeat)—a condition in which the upper chambers of your heart
quiver chaotically.
Yoga's
Impact on Your Mental Health:
Yoga
has also been shown to help with a variety of common psychiatric
disorders. A meta-analysis of more than 100 studies looking at the
effect of yoga on mental health found the practice to have a positive effect
on:
·
Mild
depression
·
Sleep
problems
·
Schizophrenia
(among patients using medication)
·
ADHD
(among patients using medication)
Some
of the studies suggest yoga can have a similar effect to antidepressants and
psychotherapy, by influencing neurotransmitters and boosting serotonin. More
recent research has also found that yoga reduces anxiety and aggression among
prison inmates. After doing yoga once a week for 10 weeks, participants
reported feeling less stressed, and also scored better on tests of executive
control, indicating a higher degree of thoughtfulness and attention to their
surroundings.
Other Benefits of Yoga:
- Improved immune function
- Reduced risk for migraines
- Improved sexual performance and satisfaction in both sexes
- Better sleep
- Reduced food cravings
- Affects Fat Metabolism and Weight Loss
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