Yoga for Mind and Body

By Zainab Rangwala Vhora  |   Submitted On May 19, 2016

It's no surprise that it's a very popular form of fitness and is fast catching up as the preferred exercise among people of all age groups. It has gradually gained a strong preference and it's almost becoming the 'cool' form of exercise. Practicing yoga offers you the chance to improve the overall wellbeing by not just improving your physical fitness, but helping and strengthening your mind as well. In today's fast paced world we all know how important it is to pay a little attention to our mental health as well.

Restful night sleep

As yoga focusses on the sequence of movements and breath, it helps in calming the mind and releasing muscle tension. It's an excellent way to beat the stress, feel relaxed and get restful sleep.

No more of the hunches

We are becoming increasingly screen-fixated with new gadgets for everything coming into our daily lives. On a regular day before we even realise, we would have already put in a couple of hours reading on our phones or laptops. This lifestyle leads to stiffness in the neck, back and makes us hunch over. By doing some of the specific yoga poses, that open your chest and shoulders up, can help in correcting and regaining your posture. Also, as your core gets stronger, it will directly lead to an improved posture too.

Beat the stress with the mat

Stress follows us everywhere, whether it's at work, school or home. Many studies have proven that yoga may help reduce stress and anxiety. As yoga practices, a mind-body approach and lays emphasis on controlled breathing it doesn't just relieve you of stress but also better prepares you to what you may perceive as stress. Just as you can correct your posture through yoga, you can rewire your mind and also prepare to deal with stressors.

Help in shedding those pounds

As beneficial as yoga may be, when it comes to fitness enthusiasts, there is a general belief that yoga is a no-sweat, calm exercise routine that is not vigorous enough to burn the stubborn fat down. However, a lot of recent studies and scientific research done in this area concludes that yoga does lead to actual weight loss. Yoga practitioners also strongly recommend this form of exercise as throughout the mind and body are in sync and this, in turn, leads to being more aware of what one is eating as well. Weight loss, as we know, is a combination of diet and exercise, hence, practicing yoga helps in managing and maintaining a healthy weight. Yoga also helps tone your muscles as a lot of the postures in yoga, use body weight form of exercise that work the muscles in a similar manner to push ups or crunches. Due to the improved muscle tone of your core, your bottom, legs, and arms, you'll experience less body pain as you age. The low-impact, stretching and slow movements you make during yoga practice are less straining than other types of exercise.

Finally, irrespective of one's age, if practiced on a regular basis, yoga can improve the overall health and well-being. You don't need pricey gym memberships, costly equipment, and the other frills. With just a simple mat and willingness, yoga can give you a whole new lease of life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Zainab_Rangwala_Vhora/2280455