The origins of Yoga date back thousands of years, and the first practitioners came from Northern India. Many revere this ancient practice today and vouch for yoga’s mental, emotional, and physical health benefits. If you have yet to try out this practice and are still wondering what all the fuss is about, read on for a beginner’s guide to exercise and how it can improve your overall well-being.
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What is Yoga?
You may have noticed an increase in exercise apparel and equipment in stores near you, and your local gym may even include this practice in its weekly class schedule. So, what is yoga? Yoga is a mind-and-body practice that focuses the mind on breathing while performing a series of postures. There are many types of yoga, the most popular being Hatha, Ashtanga, and Bikram. All yoga styles combine mindfulness, meditation, and movement. However, the difficulty of each style differs.
Why Do People Practice Yoga?
People practice exercise for several reasons. Some treat it as another form of exercise to add to their general fitness routines. Yoga places a focus on core strength, controlled breathing, and flexibility. When done correctly, this low-impact exercise can boost your physical well-being. However, some practice exercise to achieve mindfulness and combine this practice with meditation. Some exercise instructors begin and end their practice with the Savasana pose, also called the corpse pose. This pose aims to put you in a relaxed state so that your mind, body, and spirit can release all tension to help you achieve mindfulness during your session.
Can We Do It?
Yes! One great thing about exercise practice is that it is accessible to all. It is excellent for all ages and can be adapted to suit all abilities. For example, chair exercise is great for people with reduced mobility; baby yoga has positive benefits for little ones; and aerial exercise involves being held up in fabric hammocks three or four feet in the air and offers practitioners deeper stretches. Beginners can even practice yoga from the comfort of their own homes. All they need is an exercise mat, comfortable clothing, and space.
How will it improve my physical health?
Experts claim that regular exercise can improve balance, flexibility, and core strength. It helps you build muscle and can also help you manage your weight. In addition, studies suggest that this exercise can reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, and it is also excellent for people with high blood pressure and heart disease. Furthermore, one of the major aspects of exercise is learning how to control your breathing. In turn, practitioners can improve lung function and maintain a healthy nervous system.
Other Benefits:
Scientific evidence suggests that cortisol levels decrease when one practices exercise . Therefore, when combining exercise with mindfulness, this exercise can help reduce anxiety and stress. In turn, people who practice exercise can also improve their sleep patterns, concentrate better, and generally benefit from a higher quality of life.
