Physical and Psychological Benefits of Yoga

Although modern media and advertisements might make us believe that yoga is primarily about physical postures, however, yoga in its entirety is comprised of a range of self-disciplinary and contemplative methods, like meditation and chanting, mantra breathing, and prayer ritual, and even selfless actions.

The term "yoga" originates in the form of "yuj," which means "to tie" or "to connect." This word has many meanings, ranging from an astrological connection to marriage and the central theme being the connection.

Yoga asana refers to the physical exercise and postures of yoga.

The research that has been conducted on the benefits of yoga is initial, but the evidence available so far confirms the notion that practitioners have been able to know for centuries yoga is extremely beneficial to our overall health.

Improved Body Image

Yoga develops inner awareness. It helps you focus your awareness on the body's capabilities right now. It aids in improving breathing and the strength of your body and mind. It's not about appearance.

Yoga studios generally do not have mirrors. This lets people concentrate their attention on themselves instead of how a pose or the person who are around them. Research has shown that those who took part in yoga were more conscious about their body than those who did not practice yoga. They were also happier with and less critical about their bodies. This is why yoga has now become an integral component of the treatment for eating disorders, as well as programs that encourage confidence in one's body and self-esteem.

Improved Mental Health

Every exercise activity can improve your mood by reducing the levels of hormones that cause stress. It also increases the production of positive chemicals known as endorphins, as well as providing more oxygenated blood into your brain. However, yoga could also bring additional advantages. It can improve the mood through increasing levels of a chemical that affects the brain known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) that is linked with a better mood and less anxiety.

Meditation can also decrease activity in the limbic system, which is the portion of your brain devoted to emotion. When your emotional reactivity decreases it is possible to have greater control in stress-inducing situations.

Talk therapy and drugs have been traditionally the preferred treatment for anxiety and depression. However, complementary methods like yoga is also beneficial as well, and yoga can be stacked favorably when compared to other therapies that are complementary.

In fact, Yoga therapy can even help people overcome addiction. Many drug and alcohol rehabs have started to incorporate yoga, reiki, and other alternative methods into their treatment programs. As an extension to meditation, yoga can help those recovering from substance abuse and mental health conditions to be more present and less overwhelmed. 

Better Mindfulness of Nutrition

Mindfulness is the act of paying attention to the present moment and what you're experiencing in the moment, without judgment of yourself.

The practice of yoga has been found to improve your mindfulness, not just during class, but also throughout a person's daily.

Researchers define mindful eating as a non-judgmental awareness of the emotional and physical feelings that accompany eating. They designed a questionnaire that can assess mindful eating using the following behaviors:

• Consuming food even when full (disinhibition)
• Be conscious of how food looks and tastes
• Consuming food in response to environmental signals, like the smell or sight of food
• When you are sad or stressed, you may eat (emotional eating)
• Distracting yourself from eating while distracted by other activities

Researchers found that those who exercised regularly are more conscious eaters, according to the scores they scored. Yoga practice for both years and the amount of time they yoga practice each week was associated with higher scores on mindful eating. The practice of yoga therapy can make you more aware of how your body is feeling. The increased awareness you gain can be carried over to your mealtimes as you enjoy every bite or sip and take note of the way food is smelling, tastes and feels inside your mouth.

Weight Loss

Yoga practitioners and those who have a mindful eating style are aware of their bodies. They could have a greater awareness of hunger signals and feel full.

Researchers have found that those who exercised for a minimum of 30 minutes each week for at most four years, shed weight in middle age. Overweight people actually shed weight. The majority of people who exercised regularly had lower Body mass indexes (BMIs) as compared to those who didn't practice yoga. Researchers believe this is due to the practice of mindfulness. The practice of mindful eating can result in an increased positive connection to food as well as eating.

Strength, Flexibility, Circulation

Slow breathing and slow movements improve blood flow and warm muscles. Holding poses can increase strength.
You can try it out: Tree Pose
Keep one foot on the ground, while holding the other up to your calf or over the knee (but not directly on your knees) in a straight line. Concentrate only on one point in front of you while you are balancing for one minute.

Reduced Back Pain

Yoga can be as effective as stretching exercises for relieving the pain and increasing mobility in those suffering from lower back pain. The American College of Physicians recommends yoga as the first-line treatment for chronic lower back pain.

Do it this way: Cat-Cow Pose
Take a seat on your fours and place your palms under your shoulders and your knees beneath your hips. Begin by inhaling while letting your stomach sink towards the floor. Inhale again, while drawing your navel towards your spine. You will then arch your spine in the manner of a cat stretching.