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Back in the late 1980s, yoga had a bit of a bad rep. People assumed that yoga was a hippy commune activity full of incense sticks, chanting and dreadlocks. Only when yoga became more mainstream and gentrified did people begin taking notice. Nowadays, people from all walks of life enjoy partaking in a spot of yoga a couple of times a week. There are baby yoga classes, specialist classes for older people, pregnant women, and there are even yoga sessions where you can bring your pet along.
Yoga can be a scary concept for many. Some people feel that they aren’t supple enough, they don’t have the right body shape, or they don’t fulfil the criteria for a potential yoga student. However, enjoyment is the biggest part of yoga. It is an exercise that is more gentle, yet still beneficial to both your physical and mental well being. Take a look at why yoga should be on your exercise radar.
The buzzword of the moment is mindfulness. Doctors even prescribe a course of mindfulness in the first instance before antidepressants for patients who are struggling with their mental health. Mindfulness helps you to live in the present and worry less about the future. Many practitioners go one step further and prescribe some yoga sessions. Yoga will help you with your breathing and help to focus your mind. If you find any worries encroaching, you can breathe and utilize a mindfulness technique to bring you back to the moment. Worrying about what might not even happen in the future is a waste of energy. Yoga can help channel this energy into something more positive.
Yoga is a fantastic way to help you to destress. Studies have shown that those individuals who choose to head to a yoga session once a week have lower cortisol levels than those who don’t. In the twenty-first century, our lives are busier than ever before. We need to ensure that we have outlets to help us remain as stress-free as possible.
Practising yoga can help you to stay disciplined, in the same way as practising martial art does. Every time you head to a yoga session, you will be falling into your routine. This regimen can help you to keep your mind focused and help clarify your thoughts. You will get your gear on, pack your bag, hydrate more, enjoy your session, return home and start cleaning your yoga mat ready for your next foray into the world of yoga. You will have the chance to meet with your yoga teacher and discuss the key benefits of the exercise.
If you suffer from niggles and aching joints then yoga could be the perfect post-gym exercise for you. Yoga helps to improve your flexibility and mobility through working your inner core. You have to focus on using your own body weight to transition between different postures. This can help you to gain strength without pumping the iron and risking muscle tears and strains. Becoming more flexible and not having to worry about overworking any of your muscle groups can help them to be more resilient to gym workouts.
You will be surprised at just how many calories you can burn when working hard at your yoga session. Bikram yoga is conducted in a hot environment, meaning that you can add a detoxifying element to your exercise. Learning postures and focusing on your breathing is also mentally exhausting. Working hard and concentrating during your yoga session will leave you sweating. You can lose weight effectively while enjoying yoga. Coupled with a healthy and nutritious diet, you will tone up and feel happier with your body.
Practising yoga can help you to become more confident. You will feel happier with your posture and the way your body handles stress. Your mental health will improve as you learn techniques to manage stressful situations. All of these can help you to feel more confident in your own skin. Having this self-belief means that you will challenge yourself more; not just in your yoga workout, but also in your everyday life. Now, you might feel more confident to go for that elusive promotion, to embark on that awkward social situation and to enjoy new and different experiences.
Yoga isn’t an exercise for those people who are unfit or who don’t like the gym. Yoga offers many different benefits. Follow this guide and enjoy hot-footing it to your first yoga session.
Welcome to Birds and Lilies! I'm Lou: mother, blogger and freelance writer. This is my lifestyle blog, where I talk about motherhood, infertility and IVF, beauty, my love for food and wine, as well as my thoughts about stuff, and our real-life and travel adventures.
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