Before diving into the benefits, let’s take a look at a recent survey that studied the growing number of yoga participants in the US each year. Starting from 2010 to 2021, a gradual increase can be seen in the graph below, indicating that more individuals in the US took part in yoga with an increase of 63.8 percent between the first and last year of the survey.
Representation Of Yoga Participants In The United States
An Insight Into The World Of Yoga
A. What Is Yoga?
Before we get into the benefits of yoga, it is important to understand what yoga really is. Many people call it an ancient method of training, and others call it a set of difficult poses. But the word ‘yoga’ actually means union. It is a practice that connects the body, mind, and spirit through different body postures, meditation, and controlled breathing. A 2021 survey done by the The Global Yoga Survey shared responses from 10,982 participants about the top benefits of yoga according to the masses. The results indicated that respondents believed the different benefits of yoga included flexibility (85.9% votes), strength (79.9% votes), balance (71.1%), chronic pain relief (34.4%), and weight loss (29.4% votes). The renowned Yogi, Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev calls yoga “an expression of life.” He says, “Yoga essentially means finding the keys to the nature of the existence.” Yoga is not just about bending or twisting the body and holding the breath. It is a mechanism to bring you into a state where you see and experience reality just the way it is. If you allow your energies to become exuberant and ecstatic, your sensory body expands. This enables you to experience the whole universe as a part of yourself, making everything one – this is the union that yoga creates. The founder of Yoga, Patanjali said, “Sthiram sukham asanam.” It means that a posture that seems firm and comfortable is your asana. You might be surprised to know that an asana is only a preparatory step in the practice of yoga. It is a means that helps you achieve the greater good. Yoga aims to create perfect harmony between your mind, body, and spirit. When you fine-tune yourself so that everything functions wonderfully within you, you will bring out the best of your abilities.
B. Types Of Yoga
There are diverse forms of yoga that cater to the requirements of different individuals. Learn more about them below. Continue reading to learn more about the many benefits of these yoga poses on your overall well-being.
C. What Are The Benefits Of Yoga?
Yoga as a practice has countless benefits that positively affect you both physically and mentally. The picture above gives you an overview of how yoga affects your body over a span of time. Mentioned below are the different ways yoga helps you overcome health and wellness issues. There are about 77 benefits listed. Take a look.
D. The Internal Health Benefits Of Yoga
Whether it is reducing your blood pressure or raising your pain tolerance, listed below are a few things that yoga works on internally. These are some positive changes you will feel within a few days of practice. Anangsha Alammyan, a personal development blogger, talks about how yoga helped alleviate her back pain. She woke up one morning to a sore back and decided to try a random YouTube yoga video to ease it. She sums up her experience as follows: “I thought it would be hard, but it was incredibly fun. I didn’t sweat. I didn’t feel pressured. It was so soothing that when the instructor said the session was over, I had to check my watch to make sure the ten minutes were actually up. My back pain was gone. My whole body felt alive somehow. My mind was at peace, and I was ready to start the day with an excitement I hadn’t felt in weeks (i).”
E. The External Health Benefits Of Yoga
There are so many benefits the internal body experiences that we can only feel. However, yoga also works on the external body, making it possible for us to see the benefits. Read on. You will be pleasantly surprised by these yoga health benefits. Sandra Tabansi, a personal development and lifestyle blogger shares her discovery of the many benefits of yoga during the COVID pandemic. “As I continued my yoga practice into the fourth week, I discovered a beautiful connection with my body. I found myself capable of movements and poses I had never imagined I could do (ii),” she says.
F. The Emotional Health Benefits Of Yoga
Yoga creates a strong connection between the mind and the body, and this enhances your emotional health beautifully. Jasmine Chandra, a lifestyle blogger, talks about the transformational impact yoga has had on her life. She claims, “I am a more compassionate person as a result of being so deeply involved in my yoga practice. It’s a shift that is palpable. I have always cared a great deal about animals, and particularly about people who are sensitive or different. Yoga has given me a more developed ability to empathize with other living beings. It has inspired me to employ more action steps towards being kind to the planet, as well (iii).”
G. Yoga Working On The Body Chemistry
It also works on the chemistry of the body, altering the blood cells, the hormones, the glucose levels and more.
H. The Benefits Of Yoga As An Exercise
When considered as a workout, yoga has benefits that no other form of exercise can offer. These reasons will compel you to take up yoga.
I. Yoga Working Towards Prevention Of Disease
Yes! Even doctors love yoga because they have experienced and learned first hand that yoga can help prevent the following diseases.
J. Yoga For Reducing Or Alleviating Symptoms Of Problems
Research shows and medical professionals believe that a whole lot of diseases and disorders can be helped with the practice of yoga. Mentioned below are a few. Once you start doing yoga asanas daily and consistently, you will note their slow but sure and steady benefits yourself. Just rearrange your schedule and figure out the best time to do yoga to reap its benefits. Is 20 minutes of yoga a day enough? Yes, 20 minutes of yoga may help you boost your flexibility. Should you shower after yoga? Yes. Yoga or any form of exercise may make you sweat and release toxins. These toxins may be harmful to your skin if not removed. So it is good to shower after yoga. Is yoga alone enough exercise? This depends on your body and your fitness goals. It is great for increasing flexibility, balance, and overall well-being. However, if you want to increase your body mass, you can add weight-lifting along with yoga to your workout routine. What is the best time of day to do yoga? Although yoga can be performed at any time of the day, people generally do it before breakfast or in the evening. Can we do yoga on an empty stomach? Yes, it is considered better to do yoga on an empty stomach. Some styles such as Ashtanga or Power Yoga require you to have an empty stomach. Why not drink water before yoga? You can drink a little water before yoga but not too much. Some yoga poses require your abdomen to stretch and twist, which may lead to a nauseous feeling if your stomach is full of water. When should you avoid yoga? Yoga is a very inclusive exercise and there are poses suitable for everyone. However, avoid yoga if you are pregnant or have an injury or joint pain. How many minutes after yoga should I drink water? You can drink water in moderation after 15-20 minutes as excess water too soon might make you bloated. Is it normal to feel sleepy after yoga? Almost all forms of exercise make you tired and sleepy. Since yoga promotes mental and physical relaxation, it is normal to feel sleepy after a session. Can yoga be used as a form of therapy? Yes, yoga is prescribed by many healthcare providers as a complementary therapy for various physical and mental health conditions, especially for people with back pain. Remember that yoga is not to be used as an alternative to traditional medical treatment. Yoga is an ancient practice with many scientifically-proven benefits. This video uncovers the seven most important and science-backed advantages of performing yoga daily. Check it out! iii. Yoga Made Me a Better Person https://medium.com/@swingkitty5/yoga-made-me-a-better-person-745a07dee642
