“Yoga doesn’t transform the way we see things. It transforms the person who sees.”
-B.K.S. Iyengar
Yoga means the unison of the mind and body, leading to peace and serenity. Yoga has always been a great companion for a healthy life with a plethora of benefits for both, physical and mental health. It incorporates two of the three activities that professionals recommend for a healthy life i.e. meditation and physical exercise in one activity itself.
Here are the Top 4 Benefits of Yoga for Mental Health: Calms The Mind During anxiety attacks and panic attacks, the body becomes stiff and ‘heavy’. The intricate postures of yoga not only calm the mind and loosen the tension in the body parts during these attacks, but also prevent the occurence of these attacks in the future. The breath-work in yoga increases the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the body which makes you feel at peace. Balances Your Mood Physical exercises release endorphins and dopamine, also known as the ‘happy hormones’. Yoga can help you to stabilize your mood, thereby helping with mental health concerns like depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Mindfulness Yoga involves you to do asanas mindfully, that is with all your attention. Mindfulness has been carried out by a lot of people for a fitter mind because it involves expression of thoughts, prevents anxiety, improves mood and eases the mind. The asanas require focus which in turn help you to gain clarity in your thoughts. For mental health concerns like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) which affect focus and attention-retention, yoga poses that incorporate breathing techniques and require focus can come in handy. Builds Confidence & Promotes Emotional Balance With daily practice of yoga, you can draw your attention towards your body, enhance and develop it. Just the idea of you doing something for your betterment will aid you to build confidence, get rid of self doubts, boost your self-esteem, enable you to get in touch with your inner self and act upon yourself for your betterment. It also regulates your emotions such as anger and promotes inner balance. Yoga has numerous health benefits which include healing the mind and body . Haven't practiced Yoga before? We've got your back. Here are some yoga postures for beginners to enhance mental fitness:
Vajrasana - To Improve Focus, Reduce Anxiety and Depression
How to Practice
Step One - Begin by kneeling down on your knees, stretching your ankles outward, keeping your thighs and calves close enough that they touch each other and sit on them.
Step Two - Then place your palms facing inwards on your knees.
Step Three - Take at least 10 slow and deep breaths.
Savasana- Relaxes Body During Panic Attacks and Anxiety Attacks
How to Practice Step One - Lie down on your back with your spine kept straight. Step Two - Keep your arms on the side of your body, with your palms facing upwards. Step Three - Close your eyes and take deep breaths with concentration and count your breaths for at least 5-10 minutes. Viparita Karani- Treats Depression,Insomnia and Stimulates the Nervous System
How to Practice Step One - Lie flat on your back with your hips kept as close to the wall as possible; you can use a cushion to support your back. Step Two - Take slow and deep breaths. Step Three - Place your legs straight against the wall by slowly walking them upwards. Step Four- Incline your toes towards your body. Step Five - Stretch your hands and keep them on either side of your body. Hold this position for five minutes minimum.
Nadi Shodhana- To Relieve Stress and Anxiety
How to Practice Step One - Sit with a straight spine. Step Two - Close your right nostril with your right thumb. Step Three - Follow the above step by slowly breathing in from your left nostril. Step Four - Pause for a few moments after breathing in. Step Five - Close your left nostril with your ring finger while removing the thumb from your right nostril. Step Six - Release the breath slowly through your right nostril. Repeat this a few times.
With regular practice of yoga, one can see miraculous effects on mind, body and lifestyle! Yoga is the secret to good health, it can help a person to grow as an individual in all the areas of life and can change the person from within. Your mental health deserves as much importance as your physical health. If you need to speak to a mental health professional, Book your Free Consultation with us on: https://www.themoodspace.com/freeconsultation
Written by - Mahika Solanki
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