Yoga provides many obvious physical benefits, but we cannot forget about the mental ones as well. Â The past couple of years made us realized more than ever, how important is our mental wellness too.
The ancient science of yoga unites poses (asanas) with breathing and concentration to build strength, awareness and harmony between mind, body and soul.
A consistent practice followed by just a short meditation can help to relieve anxiety, lower depression, promote better sleep, fight fatigue, decrease stress, improve focus and increase tolerance.
Beach Meditation
Yoga and meditation promote relaxation – the opposite of anxiety, stress and depression. They build our ability to stay centred, which is vital for stress management. By pausing to breathe, meditate or stretch, the mind is directed away from the trigger and a biological reaction of calming begins.
Specific yoga and meditation practices stimulate our vagus nerve which is involved in our parasympathetic nervous system – our rest and digest response.
These simple practices amplify awareness of what’s happening in our body, making it possible to detect changes and early signs of mental health issues. How? One way is by teaching us to be present, rather than worrying about what’s occurred in the past or what may happen in the future.
And… Exercise naturally increases the flow of serotonin, ‘the happy hormone’. So moving and relaxing our body calms the mind, and enhancing our mental health positively affects our physical health.
When the world feels out of balance, unequal or low, yoga can help us maintain our internal equilibrium and elevate our experience of daily life. And it’s available to us anywhere, any time. But if you are looking for professional help, please do not hesitate to contact the el Sol Lifestyle Yoga team!
