The Benefits of Yoga
- Flexibility
- Muscle Tone
- Strength
- Improved Breathing
- Balance
- Joint Health
- Pain prevention
- Stress Reduction
- Body Awareness
- Sleep Improvement
The benefits of yoga range from physical to mental benefits. Our bodies are the vessels in which carry us through life. Yoga can help to strengthen, calm, and improve this vessel. Many of us do not even stop to take a deep breath once, all day long! Breathing is a fundamental part of yoga, really of life. Deep breathing not only improves lung function but takes the body from the sympathetic nervous system control to parasympathetic nervous system control. This system keeps our body in a more relaxed or “at rest mode”, decreasing blood pressure, heart rate and stress hormones.
This is just a look at some of the in depth benefits of what yoga can bring. So why not explore a gentle home practice, even if it’s only once or twice a week. Set aside 20-30 minutes for some light yoga and deep breathing.
This article will begin with a breathe practice. Breathing is the essence of yoga and plays a major role in how the body responds to what we do. The breath allows us to tune inward and discover a space of peace.
10 minutes of yoga breathing.
To begin find a space that has a little room and some quietness.
Sit upright in a comfortable seated position.
Soften your shoulders and keep your eyelids gentle closed.
Begin by taking 3 deep breathes.
For the next 5-7 minutes you will slowly and deeply breath into your belly, then your chest. You want to allow your belly to expand outward and then your chest
On your exhale, allow your belly to begin to deflate and draw inward as you exhale the air out of your chest.
Repeat. Be very aware of your breathing and how you are feeling. Do you feel slightly constricted or free. Do not force the breath, but allow yourself to find a natural flow. Breath with intention.
If your mind loses focus of your breathing and tries to scramble around to find other things to think about, reel it back in. It may not be easy at first, but allow it to be what it is. Keep you intention of following the breath.
Now take 3 more deep inhales and exhales. For the next 2-3 minutes, breath naturally in and out. Do try to fill the body with air. Feel the breath move into the shoulders, the legs, the feet, but without force. In and out.
Gently open your eyes. Stand up and lift your arms overhead as you take an inhale. On the exhale release the breath and the arms towards the floor.
How do you feel? If you have 2-3 minutes to briefly note how you feel or an thoughts that came to mind, please take the time to do so.
We will soon follow with a short yoga movement sequence.
If you have questions. please feel free to reach out.
Namaste~