Preparing Your Mind and Body

Originated in India over 5,000 years ago, relaxation technique was commonly used in yoga to unwind. However, in the modern the years, people are starting to view yoga as an option or an approach to increase their strength and endurance. With health being a growing topic amongst friends and family, people are looking for a system which will benefit them mentally and physically. Well, this is where yoga comes in.. 

Yoga = union of mind, body and soul.

There are various postures and asanas in yoga practice and each of which helps to guide through our breath and uses our core strength to move energy (prana) through our body. 

Yoga Effects on Mind

1. Improves memory and concentration

Yoga has been proven to help strengthen our memory as well as concentration. Practice pranayama and meditation techniques to clear and calm your mind.

2. Improves mental and psychological health

Drive negative thoughts and feelings away with the practice of yoga. How? It is shown that yoga offers a great way to relieve stress and calm the mind due to its concentration and breathing techniques. 

3. Reduce effects from traumatic experiences

The condition, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is more common than we thought. It is a condition developed by people who experienced unpleasant and shocking incidents in their lives, and has been haunting them with flashbacks and nightmares. Hatha Yoga, a form of yoga has been shown to be effective in reducing this condition.

Yoga Effects on Body

1. Improves flexibility

Improved flexibility is one of the first and most obvious benefits of yoga. During your first class, you probably won’t be able to touch your toes, never mind do a backbend. But if you stick to it, you’ll notice a gradual loosening and eventually, seemingly impossible poses will become possible. You’ll also probably notice that aches and pains start to disappear. 

2. Build muscle strength

Strong muscles do more than look good. They also protect us from conditions like arthritis and back pain, and help prevent falls in elderly people. When you build strength through yoga, you balance it with flexibility. If you just went to the gym and lifted weights, you might build strength at the expense of flexibility.

3. Protects your spine

Spinal disks – the shock absorbers between the vertebrae that can herniate and compress nerves – crave movement. That’s the only way they get their nutrients. If you’ve got a well-balanced asana practice with plenty of backbends, forward bend, and twists, you’ll help keep your disks supple.