Health is not just freedom from disease. For good health, we need balance and harmony between the physical, psychological and physiological workings of the body.
For example, when our physical body is suffering (due to tension, inflexibility or joint aches), it causes an imbalance in our physiological state (the inner workings of the body), which in turn has a knock on effect on our mental state (psychological), causing stress, envy, doubt, worry, regret, anger or fear – basically the list of emotions that make us feel down.
The practice of yoga helps us to correct this imbalance.
And it starts with correcting our physical state.
Physical Health
The first thing we learn through yoga is how to train our body to breathe consciously. Breathing consciously means that we tend to take fewer breaths, and of greater volume, which is both calming and more efficient for the body. Yoga also promotes breathing through the nose, which filters the air, warms it, and humidifies it, removing pollen and dirt and other things we'd rather not take into our lungs. (Cold, dry air inhaled through the mouth means our respiratory system has to work harder.)
Once we learn to breathe consciously, we then start to move the body physically through the yoga postures (asanas).
Practicing asanas like twists, forward bends, balancing poses, stretches and inversions – together with pranayama (conscious breathing), improves our physical ailments by increasing our flexibility, strengthening muscles and bones and correcting our posture, thus protecting us from conditions like arthritis and back pain.
Poor posture, for example, which can contribute to back, neck, and other muscle and joint problems, can be greatly improved from practicing yoga.
Regularly practicing yoga will also improve our balance. Better balance means we feel steadier not only on the yoga mat, but in life in general too.
Physiological Health
As well as improving our physical body with better flexibility, balance, muscle strength and breathing; yoga also improves our body physiologically (the inner workings of the body).
Through a regular practice of yoga we can improve our blood circulation, lower our blood pressure and blood sugar, regulate the glands and endocrine system, improve the lymphatic system, maintain the nervous system and improve the digestive system.
Psychological Health
On top of the physical and physiological benefits to our health, yoga also improves our psychological health, by stemming feelings of doubt, confusion, indifference, laziness, self-delusion and despair that assail us from time to time.
A lot of people I’ve practiced yoga with have said that one of the biggest changes they feel, once they bring a regular practice of yoga into their lives, is an improvement in their self-esteem. And this is truly one of the beautiful benefits of yoga for our mental health.
Due to the pressures of modern society, many people suffer from chronically low self-esteem, which is often handled negatively, by overdrinking, overeating, working too hard, or house-hatching in front of the TV. Through these reactions, people pay the price with ever decreasing health, not only physically, but mentally and spiritually too. If we take a positive approach however, by practicing yoga regularly, we sense a shift in our mental wellness.
Yoga gives us peace of mind and increases our self-esteem; it helps us to focus, concentrate and live more joyfully in the present moment.
By practicing yoga regularly, we can create balance and harmony within our body, experience feelings of gratitude, empathy, and forgiveness, as well as a sense that we are part of something bigger than our own mental reality.
Namste,
Have yourself a great day :)
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