Yoga is one of the most popular forms of exercise, and can even trace its roots back 5,000 years, proving that its popularity is by no means a new thing. Even then, yoga was held in such high regard due to its ability to focus on both the mind and body, allowing for physical and mental benefits to be gained through practicing it.
Today, yoga continues that trend, offering a fantastic way to help improve the mind and body, as well as bringing a balance between them for an overall sense of well-being. With so many branches of yoga available, we can even select one based on what we wish to improve – the mind, the body or both.
Check out the ways in which yoga improves the body and the mind:
The Body
Yoga can be great for both the active and inactive types of people out there due to its various branches. Some forms are more vigorous and push the body harder, whilst others are focused on slow, steady movements that can be performed by most people, regardless of fitness levels.
Strength is improved due to the positions in yoga. You have to move and hold muscles in certain ways that cause them to strengthen. This is due to yoga being a form of resistance training, using one’s body weight against itself.
You will also become more flexible too with regular yoga too, thanks to the positioning required for the body. Balance can also be improved with this as well, as can the strength of the bones.
Countless other physical benefits to the body can be gained. Joint pains, posture, breathing, blood flow and heart rate can all be addressed and improved thanks to yoga.
The Mind
Stress is one of the most notable parts of the mind that yoga can help with. The slow and purposeful movements in yoga require a certain level of focus and attention to complete them; otherwise, you would mess up most of your moves. So when you take the time to make the correct movements and positions, the mind is completely focused on them and nothing else, so as a result, stress is naturally reduced.
The ability to concentrate more easily is also gained as a result of this. You are always focused on breathing and movement, which needs a fair amount of concentration to pull off. Doing this regularly makes the ability to concentrate and focus far easier and natural, which can help you in many different areas of your life.
People who perform yoga also have a better understanding between the relationship of the mind and body, particularly in fitness. To practice yoga, you need to know each movement and breathing pattern required to get into a certain position. This gives a better feel for how the mind and body can be used in unison to great effect.
