The Mind-Body Connection – Understanding Yoga’s Impact On Mental Health

It is not hidden anymore, that yoga is a holistic and therapeutic practice that can bring lots of benefits. Widely practiced across the globe for health and wellness, yoga has diversified quite a lot. Some yoga forms have physical focus, while others have spiritual focus. You will find Hatha Yoga being practiced mainly in the west, for its breathing and body postures. Yoga continues to run its marathon, by spreading across the globe. The most general reasons why people practice yoga are flexibility, strength-building, stress relief, and overall fitness. If you want to experience the deep effects of yoga, you must enroll in a yoga teacher training course in India, or attend a retreat.

Research has shown that yoga does have its physical manifestations. However, there are even more records of it being used in therapy for mental illnesses. Yoga has been proven to reduce symptoms of ailments like PTSD and Obsessive Compulsive Disorders as well. There are various advantages when you use yoga instead of medicines and therapies.

How Does Yoga Help In Alleviating Your Mental Health?

There are several ways through which yoga can help in alleviating your mental health issues. You should read about them here.

Practicing yoga has multiple health benefits, which start with the release of happy hormones. Like most other physical activities, it helps in releasing mood-boosting chemicals like dopamine and serotonin. You may argue that yoga is slow-paced, so how does it help in this. Although it is true, it does elevate the heart rate. Thus, when you practice yoga for quite some time and regularly, it does make you happy.
Yoga practice on a daily basis also reduces depression. This has proved to be effective in comparison with other treatments like psychotherapy and medication. It also benefits those with depressive disorders.
Yoga also reduces stress levels due to the continuous motion of the muscles. The expansion and contraction is known to reduce tension. Apart from the yoga activity itself, you can benefit from the supportive elements associated with yoga. They include music, the smell of incense, and a secluded spot to practice yoga.
If you feel anxious, then you can engage in some breathing exercises, which are very much a part of yoga. Some psychologists are using yoga to supplement their treatment plans. So, it must be really effective.
Yoga can improve your sleep. If you are suffering from insomnia, then practicing yoga will definitely help. Moreover, if you make it a practice to do yoga before bedtime, you will start counting the advantages sooner.
Yoga is mostly done in groups, if you are not signing up for a solitary class. So, it also enhances your social connections. You tend to meet different individuals when you visit a yoga school or retreat. That in itself is therapy. When you form connections with other individuals, it makes you happy. Group bonding is particularly very effective in curing many of your ailments that arise from isolation.
You will start inculcating many healthy habits, when you start your yoga practice. It is the starting point for many other physical activities. You start losing weight and also stop relying on smoking, once you find your peace in yoga.

So, now that you know about the therapeutic effects of yoga on your mental health, you can start with a few preliminary poses. Incorporate yoga asana, breathing, and meditation to make the most of it.

Yoga Poses And Practices For Your Mental Wellbeing

Balasana – This is the first pose that comes to mind, when you think of yoga for mental health. It is one of the most relaxing asanas that you can choose. Moreover, it is a beginner pose, so anybody can do it. It gives a good amount of stretch to your arms, shoulders, back, and also opens your hips. This is a prone position, which is extremely relaxing and sends a jolt of fresh blood to the brain. Learn it at one of the best yoga schools in India.
Sukhasana – This is another amazing pose which has huge health benefits, particularly mental health. Also a beginner pose, it is a seated pose. It opens up your hips and groin area. You can master this pose, as it is also the one that you need to be in, when you meditate. It is a deeply restorative pose not only for your body, but also for your mind.
Paschimottanasana – You can engage yourself in this pose, if you want to boost your mental wellbeing today. It is one of the simplest poses that you may have learnt in school as well. This one is also a seated pose and gives a full-body stretch. Your hamstrings, calf muscles, and your back also get a deep stretch. Moreover, you can practice it almost anywhere. So, that is another huge advantage.
Adho Mukha Svanasana – This is another beginner pose, which you can practice while standing. You do not need any special accessory to perform this. If you only have time for one pose, then this is it. You can take a dig at it at any instance. Your heart sends fresh blood to the brain to rejuvenate it. So, go for it.
Uttanasana – This is another deeply therapeutic pose, which you can perform almost anywhere. It gives your entire body a relaxing workout. Your brain drain happens right here.

These are a few of the yoga poses, which you can practice anywhere. All of the above are deeply therapeutic in nature. But yoga is not just asana.

Breathing is also important, and that is why Pranayama is so important.

Kapalbhati – It is a Pranayama and also a yogic cleansing process. You can practice this forced exhalation followed by passive inhalation, to give a jolt to your wellbeing. It also increases the oxygen supply and relaxes the mind.
Bhastrika – It is yet another powerful breathing technique, which involves powerful inhalations and exhalations. It increases blood circulation and also clears the mind.

Conclusion

You can choose the above practices to get mentally sound and healthy. But always remember to join a good yoga school in India to get the best benefits. Thereafter, you can regularly practice all that you have learnt and gain the best benefits.