Historically yoga was a method that meant for more than just an act for teaching. It was a whole different lifestyle - a way of living. Including meditation and healthy eating habits used to create a culture of health and well-being. This perhaps explains why over 15 million people today not practise this ancient tradition. Myself being one of them.
Every yoga position has a different name and serves a different purpose. This includes standing postures, back bends, twists and balances.
For example the bridge pose is great to tone the thighs, strengthen shoulders and tone abs. It relaxes the mind whilst also improving digestion, relieving the symptoms of
menopause in women and stretches the neck and spine. Also the pose is great and
keeping blood pressure under control.
CAUTION: Please avoid doing this pose if you have a neck or back injury.
Image: Yoga poses
For example the bridge pose is great to tone the thighs, strengthen shoulders and tone abs. It relaxes the mind whilst also improving digestion, relieving the symptoms of
menopause in women and stretches the neck and spine. Also the pose is great and
keeping blood pressure under control.
CAUTION: Please avoid doing this pose if you have a neck or back injury.
Steps to do this pose:
- Lie flat on your yoga mat, with your feet flat on the floor
- Exhale and push up, and off the floor with your feet
- Raise your body up so that your neck and your head are flat on the mat, and the rest of your body is in the air
Image: Bridge pose
1. Lowers stress and improves your mood
Some yoga methods use meditation techniques in order to focus the mind, therefore relieving stress allowing you to feel calmer and relaxed. Practising yoga regularly can also help to boost oxygen levels to the brain - helping you to feel happier with your everyday life.
2. Lowers the risk of injury
Exercises such as running use forceful and rapid movements and therefore you are more likely to be at a higher risk of injury and muscle tension. Strenuous exercise also imbalances muscle groups - whereas yoga balances this out. Yoga enables a healthier you by bringing together your body and mind enabling you to move in a way that results in being injury free.
3. Weightloss
Being overweight is a sign of imbalance. A contributor to weight gain that many do not think about is, excess stress. Practising yoga relaxes your body and mind helping you to de-stress enabling you to lose weight.
4. Increases flexibility
Many say that you NEED to be flexible in order to perform yoga. The truth however is that regardless of how tight your muscles are, yoga works by stretching your muscles and soft tissue, such as ligaments and tendons - increasing motion in your joints enabling you to move freely and become more flexible over time.
5. Improve strength and muscles toning
Many yoga poses have a huge effect on upper body strength. For example, the downward dog and the plank focuses on your core. In addition standing poses strengthen your upper leg and also your lower back muscles. All poses serve a purpose of strengthening specific body areas if practised correctly.
6. Lowers blood pressure
If you practise yoga regularly your lung capacity will increase - due to the result of deep breathing methods. Therefore, this will then have a positive impact on more intense sport, as your stamina and endurance will be increased. Meditation poses will also slow down your heart rate - lowering blood pressure. Whilst helping to improve the immune system and lowering cholesterol.
7. Improves posture
Performing yoga helps you to maintain a healthier weight. Enabling you to become more flexible, whilst improving muscle tone and strength. Over time if practised on a regular basis, your posture will improve significantly. Your abdominal and back muscles will now be fully supported, also helping to prevent those aches and pains.
The great thing about yoga is that it can be practised anywhere, why not give it a try and reap the benefits for yourself.
Image: It's never to late
I tried yoga once and it was really refreshing. My mom is constantly nagging me to try yoga and how good it is for you, and I guess she was right! Haha. Definitely worth a shot. (: Great post Farah!
ReplyDeleteLots of Love,
Manpreet || Simply-M
Thank you hun, mumma knows best so yes do it!! Even if its like a few times a week you will noticeably see the difference :)
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