Why Yoga is Crucial for Your Health and Wellbeing & A Guide to Different Types of Yoga and Their Benefits
Hey there, fellow yogis! Today is World Yoga Day, and what better way to celebrate than by talking about why yoga is so good for our health and wellbeing? Whether you're a seasoned yogi or a newbie just starting out, there are countless benefits to practicing yoga.
We hear this repeatedly, but we still say it again, there is no doubt that yoga is a fantastic way to stay fit and healthy! Several studies have discovered that the physical postures, or asanas, help to stretch and strengthen your muscles, improve your flexibility, and increase your balance and coordination. Well, more importantly, regular yoga practice will help reduce the risk of injury and alleviate back pain and other bodily related aches. Plus, it's a great way to get your heart pumping and burn some calories!
Yoga
Yoga as we know is a practice that has been around for thousands of years, but it has been gaining popularity increasingly in recent times. Especially for those who are looking for weight loss without injuring themselves. It is a holistic approach to health and wellbeing that combines physical postures, breathing techniques, meditation, and mindfulness. Yoga is not only an excellent way to stay fit and flexible, but it also has numerous benefits for your mental and emotional health. We at Active by GS are fans of the practice and can assure you that it clears of our mind and keeps us sane and happy.
As we celebrate World Yoga Day, let us delve into why yoga is crucial for your health and wellbeing.
But yoga isn't just good for your physical health - it's great for your mental and emotional wellbeing too. By practicing mindfulness and meditation, yoga helps to reduce stress and anxiety, promote relaxation and calmness, and improve focus and concentration. It can also help to alleviate symptoms of depression and improve your overall mood. Who wouldn't want to feel more zen and centered?
Yoga for Physical Wellbeing
One of the most apparent benefits of yoga is the physical benefits it offers. Yoga postures, also known as asanas, help to stretch and strengthen the muscles, improve flexibility, and increase balance and coordination. According to a study published in the International Journal of Yoga, regular yoga practice can improve flexibility, balance, and strength. It can also reduce the risk of injury and alleviate back pain. Plus, it's a great way to get your heart pumping and burn some calories (1)!
Yoga also helps to improve cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure, lowering cholesterol levels, and decreasing the risk of heart disease. It can also aid in weight loss by increasing metabolism and burning calories.
Yoga for Mental Wellbeing
But yoga isn't just good for your body - it's great for your mind too. According to a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, practicing yoga can help to reduce stress and anxiety, promote relaxation and calmness, and improve focus and concentration (2).
It can also help to alleviate symptoms of depression and improve your overall mood. By practicing mindfulness and meditation, yoga helps to cultivate self-awareness and self-acceptance, leading to a greater sense of inner peace and contentment (3). Read about meditation techniques here.
Different Types of Yoga
Yoga as we understand is a holistic approach to health and wellbeing which has a variety of techniques and methods which combines physical postures, breathing techniques, meditation, and mindfulness. Let’s take a look at different techniques in yoga,
So, whether you're practicing Hatha, Vinyasa, or any other type of yoga, remember that yoga is not just a physical practice - it's a way of life.
As we celebrate World Yoga Day, let us take a moment to reflect on the importance of yoga in our lives and understand that it offers numerous benefits for our physical, mental, and emotional health.
So, roll out your mat, put on your favourite yoga outfit, and take a deep breath.
Happy World Yoga Day!
References
- Kamraju, M., 2023. The impact of yoga on physical health. ASEAN Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science, 2(2), pp.81-88.
- Hagen, I., Skjelstad, S. and Nayar, U.S., 2023. Promoting mental health and wellbeing in schools: the impact of yoga on young people's relaxation and stress levels. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, p.1083028.
- Sukh, P. and Sharma, B.R., 2023. Application of meditation for stress management.