Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.
The Bhagavad Gita
Yoga and meditation are two sides of the same coin. The aim of both is to keep the mind and body healthy. Yoga takes care of your body’s endurance and flexibility, while meditation keeps your mental health in check. Yoga has been around for a thousand years and isn’t going to lose its importance either, as the benefits of Yoga and Meditation are enormous.
Meditation and Yoga go hand-in-hand. Meditation majorly helps in keeping your thoughts clear and your mind calm. Meditation facilitates a holistic approach to life, and more and more people are adopting such a lifestyle in the current times. As it is rightly said,
Meditation is like a gym in which you develop the powerful mental muscles of calm and insight.
Ajahn Brahm
When you hit that rough patch in your life when you just can’t think beyond a point, meditation opens that block and helps you restart.
In today’s busy life and quickly changing dynamics, it becomes essential to adopt Yoga and Meditation as a way of living. You can’t imagine the calm, clarity, and positivity that Yoga can bring to your life. So, how exactly does Yoga do the trick? Let’s find out:
How can Yoga and Meditation make your life better?
Yoga is not just about physical exercise. It is more about the balance between mental and physical being. Let’s look at a few points below to understand the impact of Yoga on human lives:
Can help in relieving Anxiety
Anxiety can be your worst possible enemy if not treated in time. The best way you can get through Anxiety yourself is by practicing Yoga. You would be shocked to see now Yoga thrashes your Anxiety. Several studies vouch for the same.
In one of the studies, 34 women were suffering from anxiety disorders. They were asked to attend yoga classes twice a week for two months. The findings of this study were that those women who participated in the yoga classes showed lower anxiety levels than those who did not participate in the yoga classes.
Aces your heart’s health
Cardiovascular disease is a severe issue that people of any age group should take seriously. Yoga and meditation can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle and protect your heart. In numerous studies, Yoga’s cardiovascular advantages, which clear arterial plaque, have been related to a reduced risk of heart disease.
Meditation also improves blood circulation and lowers the heart rate. Practicing 10 minutes of daily meditation helps you relax, reduce stress hormones, lower blood pressure, and improve circulation.
It can be a Stress Buster.
Stress is incredibly harmful to your health and mind. Though typically ignored, it can lead to significant health issues if left unchecked. Believe it or not, Yoga can play a huge role in reducing stress. If you are overworked or have work that just can’t be avoided, it can lead to back and neck pain, headaches, and sleep issues. Regular yoga practice helps relax the mind, focus attention on the task at hand, and improve concentration. Many people will most likely prefer an after-work class, but if you want to get the most of it, the best way is to do some stretches in the morning to help you focus.
Yoga poses and asanas raise the serotonin levels in the body. This, combined with a lack of stress and overall clarity, can substantially boost your mood.
It can help you with Asthma.
Yoga doesn’t just stop at a few things. The benefits are endless. The good news for all asthmatic patients is that Yoga can indeed improve your condition. Pranayama, a concrete breathing exercise, can help you find some relief from Asthma. Research has shown that when adults suffering from mild to medium Asthma did an eight-week yoga marathon combined with their medicines, the results were spectacular- a considerable improvement in their asthma levels!
Boosts your mood.
Yoga and meditation have been linked to improved mental health. Yoga and meditation have been demonstrated to help with mood swings, menopause, schizophrenia, insomnia, sadness, and Anxiety.
It isn’t necessary to do Yoga alone. You can also choose to do it in a group! Group yoga practice increases oxytocin, the love hormone, and serotonin, the happy hormone. These hormones work together in harmony to uplift one’s mood.
Helps with Rheumatoid Arthritis
Did you know that research throws light on how Yoga can reduce joint pain, improve flexibility and function in joints, and lower stress and tension levels in people who have any arthritis? Well, it’s true. Asanas like Utkatasana(Chair Pose), Vrikshasana (Tree Pose), Warrior 1&2, Bidalasana (Cat Pose), Bitilasana (Cow Pose), etc., can prove to be miraculous in helping you with arthritis!
Other benefits
Here are a few other benefits of incorporating Yoga in your life:
- Yoga improves digestion.
- It also enhances the quality of sleep.
- Yoga has proven to be beneficial in fighting migraines.
- It clears your thoughts and helps you fight any negativity or depression.
- Surprisingly, it also helps in curing hangovers by detoxing your body.
- Most of all, practicing Yoga mentally and physically will also improve your eating habits.
The beauty of Yoga and meditation is that they are not restricted to any age group. Starting from a kid to an older adult, Yoga is one shoe that fits all. Pregnant mothers too can benefit from Yoga and meditation, and so can new mothers. The key to seeing a change in yourself is by being consistent. Slow and steady, but Yoga will definitely change your life for the better. All you need is a daily push, preferably early in the morning, to meditate first and then practice your daily dose of Yoga! If you want to bring about a change in your life, it has to begin with you. Wake up each day to improve your physical and mental health. Once you get started, Yoga will become an addiction. An addiction you will always be thankful for!
