Yoga is practiced by millions of people worldwide. It is thousands of years old, and has both spiritual and philosophical origins. Many Americans who practice yoga do so to receive its physical benefits. However, there are also powerful mental health benefits to the practice.
Contemporary media and various advertisements may have you believing that yoga is nothing more than physical poses; however, that is far from the truth.
Yoga includes many self-disciplinary aspects, such as:
Meditation
Chanting
Mantra
Prayer
Breath work
Ritual
Selfless action
The term yoga comes from the word “yuj”, translating to “to bind.” While many people may analyze this term differently, there is one major theme amongst the interpretations- connection.
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What is yoga?
Simply put, yoga is a mind and body practice. It is an ancient practice that has its roots in India, involving movement, meditation, and breathing techniques to enhance your mental and physical welfare. When you practice yoga regularly, you can promote calmness, flexibility, endurance, and your overall well-being.
Are there different types of yoga?
Yes, there are many different types of yoga.
Some common types of yoga include:
Hatha Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga
Vinyasa Yoga
Kundalini Yoga
Iyengar Yoga
Aerial Yoga
Karma Yoga
Jnana Yoga
And more!
The most common type of yoga that is practiced in the United States is hatha yoga. This form of yoga combines physical movements and mindful breathing.
Our perception of yoga may have altered over the years, but the practice itself has not changed. The term “hatha” has come to mean different things to many people. Some people may view the term as a balancing of the mind and body. For others, they may view this form of yoga as a practice or flow that involves slow or static posture holds. Regardless, the term “hatha” literally translates to “force” or “the means of attaining a state of yoga through force.”
What are the physical benefits of yoga?
Yoga is centered on your body’s automatic tendency to heal itself.
Some of the physical benefits of a regular yoga practice encompass:
Chronic pain
Lower blood pressure
Reduce insomnia
Increase flexibility
Increase muscle strength and tone
Enhance respiration, energy, and vitality
Weight reduction
Cardio and circulatory health
Enhanced physical performance
Protection from injury
Maintain a balanced metabolism
The overall purpose of yoga is to construct strength, awareness, and harmony in the mind and body.
What are the physical benefits of a regular yoga practice?
Aside from the amazing physical advantages, yoga is known to have great benefits on the mind. Keep reading if you want to find out the psychological benefits of a regular yoga practice!
Relieve Depression
Many studies show that a regular yoga practice can reduce symptoms of depression. Yoga can be a great addition to depression therapy and medication in your mental health plan. Yoga is generally inexpensive. Whether you want to take a class or follow along with a free video online, there is always an option to make the movement work for you and during your schedule.
2. Release Positive Brain Chemicals
Any form of exercise can release “feel good” chemicals in the brain. Some of these mood-boosting chemicals include dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Many people may be quick to dismiss yoga as a real exercise, but there is no denying its powerful effects. Yoga can increase your heart rate, give your muscles a great workout, and stimulate the release of the aforementioned brain chemicals. Due to all of this happening, it is no wonder why you may leave your yoga mat feeling happier! If you would like to learn more about the mental health benefits of exercise, check out our blog “5 Ways Exercise Benefits Your Mental Health.”
3. Reduce Stress
Perhaps one of the most notable mental health benefits of yoga is its ability to reduce stress and teach stress management techniques. The consistent and intentional tightening and releasing of the muscles can lessen tension. There may be other aspects of yoga that you find help put you in a meditative state, such as the overall peaceful atmosphere, calming music, and positive attitude that many yoga instructors have.
4. Improve Anxiety
Yoga has been known to ease symptoms of anxiety. Similar to its effect on your stress levels, the breath focus taught in yoga can be effective in reducing your anxiety levels, especially considering the relationship between anxiousness and breathing problems. When you are experiencing anxiety, it is not uncommon to have trouble breathing. This can mainly occur during panic attacks or anxiety attacks. If you struggle with this, you may find it helpful to read our recent blog “How To Manage A Panic Attack” since it includes a deep breathing exercise to make you feel more centered and calm.
5. Enhance Your Social Life
Getting outside of your house to practice yoga may be a positive experience since it gives you the opportunity to interact with others in your given group, like an in-person yoga class. When you feel connected socially, there are physical and mental benefits. Additionally, when you act in unison with other people, you have unique social perks. When you move and breath at the same time as other people, there is a shared sense of belonging which can help you bond with others.
6. Promotes Other Healthy Practices
When you practice yoga, you are likely to adopt other healthy habits and activities into your life. For instance, yoga can become the gateway to other forms of physical activity since being around other health-minded people can motivate you to make additional positive lifestyle adjustments. Yoga may also lead you to introduce more wholesome foods into your diet. The results of a regular yoga practice may vary since its impact largely depends on your attitude, the type of yoga being practiced, and whether or not you are consistent with the practice.
There are countless ways in which yoga can be used to enhance your mental health. Yoga is an effective way to develop healthy coping skills and create a more positive outlook on life. The incorporation of meditation and breathing in yoga can improve your welfare. By practicing yoga regularly, you will feel a sense of mental clarity and calmness. Additionally, your body awareness will increase, you may relieve chronic stress patterns, relax your mind, center your attention, and improve your attentiveness.
Yoga teaches you the link between the body and the self. The awareness of this connection can help with early detection of both physical and mental problems. Therefore, it permits and encourages preventive action.
Generally, yoga is a low-risk activity which makes it a great form of movement and mindfulness for many different populations of people. You should always talk with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.
Victoria Scala
is the Social Media Manager and Intake Coordinator at Anchor Therapy in Hoboken, New Jersey. She is a graduate of the Honors College of Rutgers University-Newark, planning to study Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the graduate level. As a Social Media Manager at Anchor Therapy, Victoria is committed to producing content for and managing the office’s social media presence and blog.
