Resilient Reflections: Yoga, You, and Your Mental Health
Yoga, You, and Your Mental Health
I guess in some ways it’s my “job” to talk about the benefits of yoga and certainly to encourage folks to do yoga, try yoga, and come back to yoga. I’ve spent the last couple months talking about the benefits of yoga and myth busting yoga so more folks realize that yoga is for everyone.
Now everyone means everyone. But it doesn’t mean that everyone is going to do the same type of yoga or look like a pretzel doing yoga. Every body is different, every person is different and what someone might look for and get out of yoga for one person, may be completely opposite to someone else.
Over the past couple of decades in particular, yoga has become about the postures, physical strength, and flexibility. And don’t get me wrong, all of that is good and anyone doing yoga for those reasons are not only getting healthy and strong, but most likely gaining other benefits they weren’t even thinking about like relaxation, clarity, and focus.
Yoga means the union of the mind, body, and spirit (not religious spirit; it is whatever that spiritual part of your life may look towards to make you see just beyond your life and yourself). It is about a way of life. It is about a clarity of purpose. It is about finding inner peace. The side benefits we have learned with science today, far surpass what many of us thought yoga was about but was probably well understood by those who came thousands of years before us.
Inner peace. How many of us are overwhelmed, exhausted, have monkey mind, have no time, drink too much, use drugs, eat too much, are sad, depressed, or anxious about something in their lives beyond their control? I would suggest many of us OR many of us will know someone who is in that position. No one goes untouched by the impact of mental health challenges and addiction whether it be them, or someone they know.
Mental health. The reason I started down a path to have a yoga studio 7 years ago is for the incredible benefits it had first, for my mental and emotional health and second, my physical health.
As I mature, my yoga has changed. I’ve adapted my practice to what my mind, heart, and body needs. The knowledge that yoga has had the most positive impact on my mental health than anything I’ve ever done, keeps me going.
Here are some of the benefits of yoga on our mental health:
Reduces Stress, Improves Relaxation. A yoga practice can activate the release of hormones such as dopamine and serotonin, which help you to feel happier.
Increases Mindfulness. Mindfulness is about living in the present moment. It helps us to become more aware of our feelings and better manage our thoughts
Offers Relief from Depression and Anxiety. People with depression and/or anxiety may find that yoga can offer respite from these conditions. Yoga practice will encourage you to take the focus away from negative thoughts and help you to feel more relaxed.
Builds Self-Confidence. Boosting your confidence may not be a mental health benefit you expect from yoga, but it really does help build your self-esteem.
Improves Mood. Mood swings can be caused by many factors including hormonal imbalances, stress, or lack of sleep. Outbursts can harm yourself and others around you. Help keep your mood swings in check with regular yoga practice.
Boosts Your Productivity. Another great mental benefit of yoga, for busy bodies especially, is that it can help boost your productivity. We know that yoga can help reduce stress and help you to relax – things which affect your productivity levels.
Lowers Fatigue Levels. Regular yoga can help you to sleep better, especially if you suffer from insomnia. Different styles of yoga can have different effects on your mind and body.
Start Feeling the Mental Health Benefits of Yoga by Booking a Class Now.
Or don’t hesitate to reach out with any further questions you may have at support@puresilience.com.
