I remember getting my first yoga mat and how excited I was to dive into my practice. I started slow but it wasn’t long before I was attempting more strenuous poses. Over the few years that I’ve been practicing, yoga has become a way for me to manage my mental health, more specifically my anxiety. During yoga, one of the most important things to do is focusing on your breath. Some poses require great strength so breathing helps you get through it. There’s a peace that comes with practicing yoga as it helps you feel centered.
How Yoga Can Benefit Your Mental Health
Reduces depression and anxiety. As I already mentioned, yoga is great for relaxation and calming anxiety. The combination of concentrating on each pose, being present, and the meditative practice calms down your nervous system and helps you relax. Yoga is also known for decreasing overall stress.
Promotes better sleep. We all know how important sleep is for our mental health. Incorporating yoga into your evening routine could help you get a better night’s rest.
Helps improve breathing. Pranayama also referred to as yogic breathing is the regulation of breath through specific techniques and breathing exercises.
Boost concentration and memory. Research shows that yoga can help boost concentration and memory. Practicing yoga prior to starting your workday can help you perform better overall. The act of turning inward and focusing on the present moment helps your brain’s ability to concentrate.
There are various yoga videos and programs across the internet, but I’ve been enjoying the Easy Flexibility yoga program lately. They have a wide range of trainings to help you build strength and flexibility. Over the past week, I tried out their wheel pose program. The program is easy to follow because it’s broken up into digestible chunks. It starts you off with a warmup before jumping into the exercises necessary to help you achieve the pose you’re attempting. While I didn’t successfully achieve wheel pose on my first attempt, I know that with continuing to follow the Easy Flexibility program I will eventually be able to do wheel pose.
If you love yoga as much as I do or are just starting out, I highly recommend this program. With the various training programs they offer, you’re sure to find something that works for you.
In the years that I’ve been practicing yoga, I’ve definitely noticed an improvement in my mental health. Furthermore, it has improved my strength and flexibility. You don’t have to be extremely flexible to practice yoga. Start of slow and gradually push yourself to attempt more difficult poses. In time, you will see great results.
Photo by madison lavern on Unsplash
ItsJaiMarie 