Today, more than 15 million Americans practice yoga, making the ancient Indian discipline synonymous with the Western society’s culture of wellness. In modern life, it has become normal to see people experiencing stress, depression, and anxiety, which can further lead to obesity, heart diseases, and various posture problems. Although these issues can be treated with modern medicine, there exists a timeless remedy rooted in ancient wisdom and holistic healing: Yoga.
With over 20 years of practicing yoga and training various individuals, I have encountered many common health issues. I also run my practice at Sungrace Yoga Studio, where I have witnessed the profound impact yoga can have on improving both physical and mental well-being.
Yoga is not just a physical exercise; it’s a way of life that harmonizes the body, mind, and spirit in a profound and transformative manner. Through its gentle yet powerful asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), and meditation techniques, yoga strikes at the very root causes of many modern lifestyle disorders, making it an invaluable ally in our quest for better health. It promotes sustainable weight management, improves flexibility and strength in ways that defy expectations, and enhances cardiovascular health, effectively combating the scourges of obesity, hypertension, and heart disease that plague our society.
Moreover, yoga’s emphasis on mindfulness and relaxation techniques offers a potent antidote to the stress, anxiety, and depression that are all too often the byproducts of our fast-paced, demanding lives. By teaching us to live in the present moment and cultivate a profound sense of inner peace, yoga empowers us to manage our emotions more effectively, leading to improved mental well-being that cannot be overstated. Yet, the benefits of yoga extend far beyond the physical and mental realms. It instills a sense of discipline, self-awareness, and balance that are essential for navigating the complexities of modern life with grace and resilience.
Below are few benefits of practicing Yoga in everyday modern lifestyle –
Practicing yoga can improve a person’s physical, intellectual and spiritual health. Unlike medicine, yoga has a holistic approach to health and healing. It reduces the stress levels in the body which are the leading cause of diseases and disorders.
Muscular Strength
Muscular endurance is how long you can hold a pose or lift weights without becoming exhausted. You can improve your muscular endurance with a combination of strength training and yoga poses that engage all major muscles in the body.
The benefits of yoga are many, but some people may not realize it is also an effective form of strength training. The transitions between the high plank and low plank poses, for example, work the triceps and the shoulder muscles. And the Goddess and Warrior poses target the quads and glutes.
For a stronger body, it’s important to vary your workout routines and the intensity of each session. The intensity of a strength-training exercise is measured by one to 10 repetitions at 60-80% of your maximum repetition (RM). You should rest between 30-60 seconds between each set. This type of training is known as progressive overload, which causes your muscle to get stronger after each workout. The practice of yoga helps to build strength in the muscles.
Sound Sleep
The benefits of getting a good night’s sleep include better health, more energy and a lower risk of depression. However, many people struggle to get a full night of restful sleep on a regular basis. Luckily, yoga can help. Yoga incorporates physical movements, breathing exercises and meditation to calm the mind and relax the body. A regular practice of a few gentle, restorative yoga poses before bed can signal your body that it’s time to wind down for the night. For example, the corpse pose or Reclined Bound Angle Pose encourages deep inhalations and exhalations to promote relaxation and quiet the mind for sleep.
Other studies have shown that incorporating yoga into your routine can improve both the speed at which you fall asleep and how long you stay asleep. Yoga’s ability to reduce anxiety and increase melatonin are also important factors in promoting sleep. Those with chronic insomnia often find relief from both symptoms with regular yoga practice.
It’s important to note that the effectiveness of yoga depends on your mindfulness. If your mind is still occupied by the to-do list from work or other worries, you’ll likely have a hard time relaxing into a good night of sleep. Try to practice your yoga routine in a quiet, calm environment without distractions and be sure to take advantage of the restorative benefits of sleep. Then, you can wake up refreshed and ready to start the day with the energy that comes from a great night of sleep.
Stress Free Life
Various studies show that people who practice yoga live a stress free life. This is because it teaches you to become mindful of the things that are causing you stress and how to deal with them. It also helps you to develop a healthy lifestyle that will help to keep your body and mind in good condition. In fact, yoga goes beyond the physical exercise that you do on your mat; it is a lifestyle that incorporates healthy eating and living, positive thinking and self-discipline.
In the hectic world that we live in, it is not uncommon to feel overwhelmed with work and family obligations. The resulting stress can cause a variety of health problems including high blood pressure, heart disease, and sleep problems. Yoga is a form of complementary and alternative medicine that helps to reduce anxiety and stress by teaching you how to relax both the body and the mind.
While the benefits of practicing yoga are numerous, many people have difficulty making it a part of their daily routine. It is easy to think that you are not the yoga type because you can’t touch your toes and have never meditated in a quiet room. However, there are many ways to incorporate yoga into your everyday life without having to do a fancy pose or sit in silent meditation for an hour.
For example, the calming breathing exercises in yoga are excellent for relieving stress and tension. These exercises can be done anywhere, even in your home. Another great way to relieve stress is to engage in acts of kindness. Research has shown that when you focus on others and do something nice for them, your stress levels decrease. It doesn’t have to be anything extravagant; it can be as simple as wishing an old friend a happy birthday or sending a thoughtful email.
Practicing yoga has many benefits, but the most important one is that it can help you lead a stress free life. The yamas and niyamas of yoga are ethical standards that can be applied to your everyday life. These principles include non-violence, truthfulness, contentment, and self-study.
Fat Loss
Yoga is a holistic mind-body practice that improves the symptoms of many common causes of weight gain. These include physical pain, sleep deprivation, emotional distress and chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. Yoga reduces stress hormones that increase abdominal fat, decrease muscle mass and cause cravings for fatty and sugary foods. In addition, it builds and tones muscles which burn through calories more efficiently than fat tissue.
While yoga is not a high-intensity exercise, it can still contribute to healthy weight loss when combined with other forms of regular aerobic exercise and a balanced diet. Most yoga practices focus on breath work and mindfulness, which can help improve mental health and support healthier dietary habits.
In addition, most yoga classes are attended by a community of other people, which can provide encouragement to exercise regularly and make healthier food choices. Many yoga teachers are also experienced practitioners who can serve as role models for newer students. Research has shown that being part of a supportive community can help encourage positive lifestyle changes, including healthier eating habits and weight management.
A number of yoga poses can also strengthen the core and other muscles. For example, the plank pose requires you to hold your body in place with the arms and back. This activates muscles in the shoulders, core, and hips that burn calories.
In a study, researchers found that women practicing yoga had lower levels of cortisol, a hormone linked to stress and weight gain. They also had lower blood pressure and better heart function, and needed less medication than women who did not do yoga.
Yoga can be done in a class setting or at home. It is important to practice regularly for the best results, but it can be challenging to stick with a routine. If you are having trouble making yoga a consistent part of your daily life, consider seeking professional input from your doctor, particularly if you are suffering from a chronic disease or a physical injury that can affect weight loss and exercise.
Conclusion
By incorporating yoga into our daily routines, we can develop a deeper connection with ourselves, fostering a sense of calm and clarity amidst the chaos that surrounds us, enabling us to truly thrive in ways we never thought possible. In a world where modern lifestyle disorders are on the rise, threatening to undermine our very quality of life, embracing yoga can be a transformative journey towards better health and well-being that simply cannot be ignored. Whether practiced in a studio, at home, or in the great outdoors, yoga offers a holistic approach to healing and prevention that empowers us to reclaim our vitality and live life to its fullest potential, free from the shackles of modern ailments that seek to hold us back. Embrace yoga, and experience the profound transformation it can bring to your life.
