In the hectic modern way of life, people are stressed beyond belief and needs more than ever to make sure that they keep their mind and body healthy. It is in this context that yoga gains relevance.
Practicing yoga daily for even a few minutes can boost your self – in both body and mind. Even a single yoga session can better speed and accuracy of working memory and inhibitory control tests than other exercise sessions of the same duration.
Yoga teacher led training goes beyond being just another form of exercise and it’s increasing popularity not just in Bali, but the world over vouches for that.
The benefits of regular practice
Prana or ‘Life Force’ refers to the energy in the human body. Every person contains a certain amount of energy that is responsible for the body’s life and maintenance. With time and use, this energy diminishes, making the body weak. Yoga postures and breathing techniques help in regulating and sustaining this vital energy, thereby increasing one’s longevity.
Building muscles improves our body strength, keep joints in good shape, allow us to function freely and prevents various ailments like arthritis, especially during old age. The practice of controlled breathing helps to maintain a healthy mind that is emotionally well balanced.
Flexibility is very important in maintaining and improving the functioning of the human body. Lack of flexibility can result in poor posture, backache, discomfort and pain in the joints. Through regular practice of yoga, body posture can be corrected and muscle flexibility improved.
Yoga can be a great stress reliever and extremely helpful in detoxifying the mind and body. Even one or two repetitions of Suryanamaskar followed by some deep breathing can bring about a sense of calmness.
2 simple poses to benefit from
There are several meditative yoga asanas that require focus and deep breathing in order which work to balance the body, thus making the mind more alert and sharp. Examples of two simple postures are given here.
Padmasana or Kamalasana:
Padmasana or Kamalasana (the lotus pose) is a meditative posture that balances your life force/ energy. This pose needs one to open up the lower back, hips and legs and works on the metabolic structure and brain patterns regulating blood flow to the legs, allowing more blood flow to the abdomen area.
Siddhasana
Siddhasana is similar to, yet easier to practice than padmasana. A meditative posture that calms the mind, regulates blood pressure and stabilizes the functioning of the heart. It works by stressing on the feet which are connected to major organs like the stomach, liver, gallbladder, spleen etc.
Other more complex asanas such as the headstand, shoulder stand or handstand works to reverse the flow of blood from the lower body, improving circulation and making one feel more energetic and refreshed after practice.
Keep in mind that yoga postures can vary from the gentle and accommodating to ones that are more physically intensive and challenging. The choice of yoga postures needs to be based on one’s physical ability and personal preference.
Author Bio :
Tracey has worked extensively in the field of fitness and health since her early twenties. With a background in fitness training and holistic living, she started off as a personal trainer for private and corporate clients, and has continued on her own personal journey through the study of yoga and other spiritual disciplines. She travels all over the world, seeking out the best teachers in areas of fitness and health to bring a wealth of knowledge to her own yoga teacher training.
