Since society has abruptly moved to this (hopefully short) era of “social distancing,” the yoga studios have closed their doors and those that frequented studios are now forced to take to their mat at home. This isn’t such a bad thing. An at-home yoga practice can keep you healthy, sane, and grounded. Not to mention it can help strengthen our immune system.
What exactly Is Yoga?
Yoga is a modality that focuses on breathing, posture, and mindfulness. It is a discipline that has roots in Hinduism, but it is NOT a religion. Yogi’s come from every religion and every culture. It has exploded in popularity and it’s no wonder why it’s practiced by so many searching for health and mental wellness. If there ever was a time yoga was needed, this is one of them.
According to many yoga gurus, there are five main goals or elements of yoga. These five main elements are:
- Being disciplined toward attaining a goal
- Controlling your body movements
- Controlling your mind
- Connecting with your spiritual self
- Attaining the highest level of self-awareness
Benefits of yoga
Yoga provides so many benefits to our body, health, and mind.
Here are just a few:
It improves your body’s flexibility.
Yoga can help make you more flexible and agile, especially with a regular practice yoga. This flexibility can help prevent injuries or strain and can help relieve muscle and nerve pain.
It helps build muscle strength.
With regular practice, yoga can also help build muscle strength and tone. This strengthening of our muscles can also help protect us against pain and various diseases like arthritis.
It improves your posture.
Yoga can help improve your posture, preventing backaches and neck pains and strain. A straight spine can balance your whole body much more easily than a spine that lacks good posture. Poor posture can cause your body to strain, leading to aches and pains. It also puts you at higher risk for degenerative arthritis of the spine.
It improves the overall health of your bones.
Yoga can help improve your bone strength which can help to prevent breaks or fractures.
It regulates the circulation of your blood flow.
Regular yoga practice can help improve the circulation of your blood and lymphatic flow (you can read more on what yoga can do for our lymphatic system in this post). This can prevent your body from swelling or becoming inflamed. A healthy and regulated flow of blood in your body encourages overall better health. It also helps provide oxygen to your lungs and regulate the transfer of oxygen to your tissues by boosting the level of red blood cells and hemoglobin in your body. All of this can help reduce your risk of stroke and other forms of heart diseases and illnesses.
It helps lower stress levels and strengthen immune system.
When we are under stress, our bodies release cortisol and adrenaline. When we have too much of these hormones, it can actually cause our immune system to weaken. Thankfully yoga can help lower your cortisol levels. Yoga also causes your body to release oxytocin (the “love” hormone) and serotonin (the “feel good” hormone). These hormones can help boost your immune system. Yoga brings mental peace by helping you manage your stress levels through deep breathing exercises and practicing mindfulness.
It helps maintain your blood pressure.
Regular yoga practice has been found to be very beneficial in maintaining your body’s blood pressure.
It helps in regulating your adrenal glands.
Lower cortisol levels, help to regulate the functioning of your adrenal glands. Healthy adrenal glands can help aid in losing weight and maintaining overall health.
With all these amazing health benefits, it’s no wonder more and more people are making yoga a part of their life. So, what do you say? Are you ready to do yoga with me? Sign up here!
Stay well! Stay healthy! And I hope to see you on your mat!
xo,
Jenny
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