While it's true that you'll get out of your
yoga practice only as much as you're willing or able to put into it, a
committed approach to your practice can help you in ways that you've
never expected. Indeed practicing yoga could be the platform and
motivation you need to completely transform your life.
The basic benefits of yoga are widely documented and have been
extensively researched. Research into the more controversial benefits
of yoga continue - at the time of writing, pubmed.org (a Service of the
National Library of Medicine and the National Institute of health)
listed more than 900 research papers investigating the benefits of
yoga. A search on the internet typically reveals benefits which include:
- Increased fitness
- Increased strength
- Fat reduction and weight loss
- Relief of back pain
- Better relaxation
Individually these benefits sound like compelling reasons to practice
yoga and may be exactly what you are looking for. But yoga is an all
encompassing approach to health and well-being - the word itself
literally means union, and when we look at the impact practicing yoga
can have on our lives, we should also take an all encompassing
approach. While yoga alone cannot work miracles, it may be the
foundation, along with some self belief, to help you:-
Earn more money - Practicing yoga increases your ability to
relax and cope with your daily stresses. It also helps to develop a
meditative ability allowing you to slow or clear your mind of
constantly racing thoughts. After a hard days work, these are exactly
the techniques you need so you can unwind, and recharge through longer
and deeper sleep. If you can achieve that then you'll feel more
refreshed, energised and motivated each day, improving your focus and
concentration. You can channel this in what ever direction you want
including working towards a promotion, searching for your ideal job or
starting your own business.
Write a book, learn to dance - As outlined above, regular yoga
practice can help you increase your energy, motivation and focus as
well as improving your concentration - all of which can be used to
develop your personal hobbies and interests, whatever they may be,
mental activities or physical ones.
Spend more time with your friends and family - Promotion and
money aren't your motivators? How about using your increased energy
levels to bring greater balance between your work and personal lives,
allowing you to spend more time with the people that matter.
A shot of self confidence - performing regular exercise,
combined with the positive effects yoga has on metabolism and appetite,
can help with weight (fat) loss. Combine that slimming with the toning
effect yoga has on your muscles and you can start to develop the body
you want in no time - and be feeling better about yourself just as
quick. What better boost is there to your self confidence?
Depression relief? - Yoga postures are designed to stretch,
compress and massage your internal organs and glands. This stimulation
is thought to help balance hormone levels in the body, which can help
to achieve a more balanced emotional state.
Quit smoking - As well as strengthening your resolve to quit
through the increased motivation, energy and focus, yoga breathing
techniques (pranayama) are ideal to help you pass the cravings that at
the biggest hurdle to quitting smoking.
As you can see, the benefits of yoga go far beyond simply improving
your wellbeing - the benefits can be channelled to help you to make
fundamental improvements to your whole life. When the rewards are so
great, it's not difficult to understand why people become so
enthusiastic about yoga. |
