Yoga has become one of the most popular physical activities, with tens of millions practicing it around the world, due to its great benefits on physical and psychological health.
Yoga and psychology
The connection between yoga and positive psychology is strong.
Yoga provides an excellent opportunity to get into the flow, a state of full engagement, present at the moment without paying attention to the passage of time.
Practicing yoga can help people develop mindfulness, increase awareness, and improve their abilities to focus on what is at hand.
This sport encourages you to use the mind and body at the same time.
A yoga session requires careful and conscious movement, but it also requires mindful thinking and enhanced awareness.
Health benefits of yoga
A set of health benefits are given to you by practicing yoga, which are as follows:
- Improved flexibility
Flexibility is an important component of physical health.
Yoga is particularly useful in improving flexibility in adults aged 65 and over, according to a scientific study published in 2019, as low flexibility is a normal part of aging.
- Reduce inflammation
The precursor of the disease is often chronic inflammation.
One review examined 15 research studies and found that yoga - of various styles, intensities and durations - reduced biochemical markers of inflammation across many chronic conditions.
- Increases strength
While most people associate yoga with stretching and flexibility, some types of yoga classes can also be seen as strength-building.
It depends only on the level of the class, the approach and the coach.
A study of Air Force personnel has found that yoga is an effective strength-building exercise across many age groups for healthy participants.
- Improved quality of life
The World Health Organization defines quality of life, as "an individual's perception of his place in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which he lives and in relation to his goals, expectations, norms and interests," and a 2019 meta-analysis showed promising potential for yoga to improve the quality of life in people suffering from chronic pain.
- Boosts immunity
When your immunity is compromised, you are more likely to get sick.
Some studies have found a clear link between practicing yoga (especially long-term) and improving the functioning of the immune system, partly due to the ability of yoga to fight inflammation, and partly due to the strengthening of cellular immunity.
- Improved balance
Balance is not only important when you are trying to stand on one leg in the Tree Pose in a yoga class, but it is also necessary for simple everyday movements such as picking up something from the floor, reaching for a shelf, going down stairs...
Yoga has been proven to improve balance and overall performance in athletes. Research conducted on a healthy population indicated that balance may improve in most individuals when they practice yoga, and recent research suggests that yoga can improve balance in the elderly.
- Improved cardiovascular function
Pranayama, often referred to as "yogic breathing", is an important and useful aspect of yoga.
The Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine published a review of 1,400 studies looking at the holistic effects of pranayama, and found that this type of breathing improves the functioning of many systems in the body. The study found that the cardiovascular system has greatly benefited from controlling the frequency of breathing, noting that yogic breathing may improve the functioning of the heart and brain.
- Improves brain and bone health and reduces fatigue
One study showed that just 12 minutes of yoga a day can significantly improve bone health.
A recent review of 34 research studies found an emerging pattern that yoga contributes to improving the functioning of the brain in the Centers responsible for internal perception (recognition of sensations inside your body).
A recent study looking at burnout among elderly care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic concluded that yoga-based meditation interventions significantly helped reduce the effects of burnout by improving inner awareness.
- Tightening textures
Yoga improves your appearance by standing taller, feeling more confident, and managing weight more effectively.
Psychological benefits of yoga
Yoga helps to improve mental health, by:
- Feeling of happiness ;
When practiced, yoga releases feel-good chemicals in the brain. Mood-enhancing chemicals include brain messengers such as dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine.
- Relieve depression
Studies show that yoga can relieve depression. The researchers found that yoga is comparable to other therapies, such as medication and psychotherapy.
It can also benefit even those who suffer from major depressive disorder.
Both movement-based yoga therapies and breathing-based practices have been shown to significantly improve symptoms of depression.
- Stress reduction
Stretching and relaxing muscles can reduce stress. You may also benefit from the calm atmosphere, relaxing music and positive attitude that you will find in most yoga classes.
- Anxiety relief
The breathing exercises included in yoga may be particularly effective in alleviating anxiety, as there is a relationship between anxiety and breathing problems.
- Sleep quality
Yoga has been shown to improve the speed of sleep; this is partly due to the post-workout effects, mental calming and stress relief that yoga specifically provides.
Numerous studies also show that yoga nidra is especially useful for improving sleep.
- Self-esteem;
Body image and self-esteem are often a particular challenge for teenagers and young adults. The good news is that several recent studies show positive results when using yoga to improve self-esteem and perceived body image in those.
- Promotes other healthy habits
If you practice yoga, you are more likely to choose more healthy foods. Yoga may also be a gateway to other types of physical activity. Exposure to health-conscious people can inspire you to make other positive changes in your adopted lifestyle.