My name is Tanuja (which means daughter). I am a Yogi, Dancer, Liberator, Working Professional, Lover, Daughter and Friend. My ability to claim who I am, fully, came through the beautiful practice of yoga. I started Practicing yoga 4 years ago in the guidance of my Yoga Gurus from Rishikesh and I have not stopped since then.
The practice of Yoga regularly made me realize who I am, the reason of my existence and liberated my soul.
When I started my Yoga journey, I was knee deep into clinical depression and was trying to cope with a lot going on by having a constant fight with my inner self rather than trying to understand it, accept it and find a solution.
The practice of Yoga and Meditation saved my life. The way the sweat rolled off my back, I disappeared, and my mind was no longer consumed with repetitive thoughts that did not serve me. The stretching, the pauses between breaths, and the resilience of my body brought me great comfort.
The more I practiced yoga I learned that the purpose of life is not to lead if the way others want you to but to find your own path, your own journey, your own destination.
Studying my inner conscious through yoga had become my saviour in the worst times and helped me keep moving in the times when I was having an emotional growth spurt.
I have recently started booty yoga (a unique practice, known for its cardio-intensive bursts of tribal dance, primal movement, and conditioning) which has increased self-love and confidence in me.
Today I am going to share with you top 10 benefits of yoga both from my personal experience as well as going over the best websites those provide guidance on yoga.
- Improves Mental Health and Overall Well-being
Regular practice of yoga has been scientifically proven to reduce stress and anxiety. The inhale and exhale cycle in the yoga asanas help in maintaining the mental balance. Few yoga asanas (Sukhasana , Balasana , Paschimottanasana ) have been specifically designed to reduce stress. Just 10-20 minutes a day of regular yoga practice can show amazing result on an individual’s mental health.
- Improves Quality and Quantity of Sleep
A relaxing good night’s sleep has become a dream to many these days (specifically adults). With stress related to work, personal life and the fast-paced life in metros getting a good sleep has become very difficult. Yoga has been proven to reduce insomnia and increase sleep quality which is a result of reduced stress, anxiety and the physical workout that yoga entails.
- Increases Energy
Doing yoga on a regular basis can significantly increase your energy levels. Speaking from personal experience I can say that doing yoga first thing in the morning leaves me fresh and energized. Doing yoga release the happy hormones called Endorphins which produce a feeling of euphoria and leave you energized you for the rest of the day. Backbends and Inversions positions are a few examples of energizing yoga poses.
- Builds Strength
Yoga not only helps you in maintaining your body weight but also builds strength. Poses like Forearm Plank, Bakasana, Arm balances are great for building core strength as well as maintaining the heart health.
- Increases Flexibility
Yoga is a great way to make your body more flexible and agile. Asanas like Downward Facing Dog, Half Moon Pose, Side Splits, Lunge Stretches are great for increasing the overall body flexibility.
- Lowers Blood Pressure
It has been clinically proven that adults who practice yoga with breathing and relaxation exercises at least three times a week may have lower blood pressure than people who don’t
- Improves Diet
Young adults perceived yoga to promote increased awareness of their bodies’ needs, which helped them to select foods that nourished their bodies and provided fuel, be more attentive to signals of hunger or fullness, and have greater presence, appreciation and focus on their food while eating. As a yogi you don’t feel like binging on that burger or that plate of fries but make you decisions consciously. Another one from personal experience.
- Improves Immunity
Doing yoga on a regular basis can increase the overall power of your body to fight diseases. Yoga practice is known to improve blood circulation with intern increases the body’s immune system. Also, yoga is known to lower stress hormone levels in the body, and since these hormones impede immunity, yoga’s destressing effect makes both the body and mind more healthful and disease-free.
9. Supports Joint Health
All the stretching yoga poses like Butterfly Pose, Head to Knee Pose, Wheel Pose, Wide-Legged Forward Bend Pose are known for improving the body flexibility as well as improving joint health and reduce arthritis pain in the joints.
10. Improves Confidence
Another one from personal experience. The more you practice yoga and learn, your confidence level keeps increasing day by day. Once you master a pose, there is a huge boost in confidence. Yoga practice also gives you a feeling of self-love and appreciation and a feeling of being comfortable in your own skin.
The benefits of doing yoga on a regular basis are immeasurable but a few important ones are listed here.
Thanks for your blog, nice to read. Do not stop.