True optimal health is when the body is healthy, the mind is clear, and emotions are balanced. With that, we take care of our health for the body to be at ease, feed our minds the knowledge it needs, and strive to cultivate inner peace for a peaceful spirit. This creates space within us to connect with family and friends as well as create and sustain healthy social interactions.
Yoga translates to mean “union.” The very essence of yoga lies in connecting the body, mind, and breath to develop mental peace with a relaxed state of living and self-awareness. We as human beings are made of the factors Body, mind, and spirit. We have 3 needs to thrive sufficiently, health, knowledge and inner peace.
A yoga practice can enhance all 10 systems of the body.
*Circulatory *Respiratory *Digestive *Reproductive *Nervous *Endocrine *Immune *Muscular *Skeletal *Lymphatic *Cardiovascular
When practiced consistently, yoga can also help keep you healthy. Our bodies are our vehicles that carry us through life. In order to move about in the most efficient way, we have to take care of our vehicles in the most effective way. Not only the best of care for our vehicular bodies by what we allow to enter it by what we intake, but also how we maintain the upkeep. Simply put, Yoga is like a “tune up” for the body.
Yoga posters, “asanas”, enhance strength, flexibility, and confidence. Other physical exercises or aerobic like practices only aid the physical being. They are not designed for mental and spiritual health as well.
Also, yoga is a powerful practice that can be added to any other physical discipline sport or activity. For athletes, adding yoga to your training helps to gain strength, flexibility, increase the range of motion, concentration, reduces stress, as well as tension and tightness in the body. It improves respiration, energy, and vitality as well. The effects that yoga has on sports performance is immeasurable.
Your body weight provides all the endurance you need to strengthen and tone the entire body from the inside out.
"Without breathe it's just exercise ..." ~ A Yoga Teacher
Being healthy is not only from being physically fit but from being mentally and emotionally balanced as well. Yoga works, soothing the mind and emotions. Which, let's be honest...a lot of people, us, battle with this every day.
Just a few minutes of Yoga a day can rid you of stress that you have accrued through out your day.
When we practice Yoga we strive to connect our breath with the postures. Synchronizing the breath with the body as you are doing the postures brings your attention into the present moment. Yoga and meditation go hand and hand since Yoga is basically a moving meditation. The practice teaches us to leave the mind and bring awareness to the body. When we are aware we are able to be mindful of what is going on within.
Other benefits of Yoga include:
Reduce Stress, Depression, Anger, Tension, etc.
Lowers Blood Pressure
Look and feel younger, Boost self-esteem
Improve the Immune System
Improves Posture
Improves Balance
Improves Agility
Strengthen the Heart
Relieve PMS, Menopausal & Post-Partum
Helps with weight management
Improves focus and creativity
Boosts Sex Drive
Improves Digestion
The list goes on!
For me, this practice has helped me to let go and release tension which has opened up places that had been closed not only in my body but my mind as well. That’s what Yoga does. It is good for the body mind and soul.
Whether it’s tension, blocked energy or beliefs from the past that no longer serves us. Yoga is a powerful tool to use to bring the body, mind spirit, into harmony. When you are balanced you begin to “do you” with intention and spirit of awareness experiencing life on your own terms.
And honestly, that’s where I am. Creating balance and happiness on the inside so that I see it reflected in the world around me. For that Yoga is one of the tools I use to sustain a healthy living.
Until next time,