Sience-based benefits of Yoga
What is yoga?
The word yoga originates from Sanskrit and means the unity of body and spirit, individual and collective. Yoga, originally from India, is a discipline several thousand years old, and in recent years it has become increasingly popular in the Western world. Yoga as a system recognizes the multidimensional nature of man and its practice encompasses eight aspects, of which exercises of physical body positions, breathing exercises and meditation are the most common today. Over the years, yoga has evolved into different shapes (directions), which gives us the opportunity to choose the one that suits each of us the most. Yoga is a popular activity for athletes, children, and adults and can be modified to suit all levels of physical fitness. Yoga is not a religion. Yoga is an exercise of the mind, body and spirit and it is everything you want it to be. It serves your needs.
Benefits of yoga for physical health
During the performance of yoga exercises, static muscle contractions occur, which lead to the strengthening and shaping of the muscles. Yoga poses strengthen both the upper and lower body and strengthen the abdominal muscles, which are important for proper posture. In addition to strengthening muscles, certain yoga poses lengthen muscles and increase flexibility. When you are stronger and more flexible and your posture is better, which leads to less strain on the spine and prevents and alleviates ailments such as pain in the back, neck, shoulders and joints. Yoga also helps you to be more aware of your body, to notice when you are hunched over and when your muscles are under tension.
The benefits of yoga for mental health
Yoga is a discipline based on the unity of mind, body and spirit. Yoga helps us understand our inner world through various techniques that include meditation, body postures, breathing and concentration. Yoga encourages us to relax, slow down breathing and focus on the present. Restorative yoga exercises, guided relaxation and meditation turn our senses inwards, giving rest to our nervous system, which will lead to better sleep, less fatigue and stress, greater problem-solving and information retention skills because we will be less distracted by thoughts. Modern psychotherapeutic directions use techniques that originate from yoga, such as relaxation techniques and mindfulness.
The use of yoga in psychotherapy
An increasing number of studies show the importance of yoga for mental health. As we have already mentioned, among other things, yoga helps to reduce the level of stress and anxiety, helps to fight depression and insomnia. For this reason, an increasing number of psychotherapists are using yoga as an adjunct to psychotherapy.
Psychologists are also examining the use of yoga in the treatment of people who have experienced a traumatic event. When people experience trauma they feel not only emotionally disturbed but also physically unstable. Body-oriented techniques such as yoga help them become more aware of their body, to be more focused on the present, which will empower them to activate and take control.
