Yoga: Enhancing Your Mind and Body

The true essence of Yoga in Indian culture is to elevate the life force into a human being. Its goal is to achieve the 'kundalini' or life force through mental and physical exercises. At the mental level, the method of Yoga includes breathing practises known as 'pranayama' and meditation known as 'Dhyana' to get authority over the mind. While at the physical level, Yoga comprises different postures or 'asanas' to maintain health. As the saying goes, Yoga accepts; Yoga gives. So, the ultimate aim of Yoga is to help an individual have a healthy, relaxed mind to cope with the daily struggle. Nothing can make you feel better or rejuvenated than doing Yoga. So, people should make Yoga a part of their daily lives.

Benefits of Yoga

Yoga is a 4000-year-old discipline routed in the Indian culture. It was first coming as a method to make unison with mind and body. But later, it took a whole new turn as multiple layers attached to it. For example, in the early days, people used to do Yoga to attain spirituality and transcend the self. But now, it is more than that; now, it's a lifestyle choice. 

So, what does Yoga do to our body? What are the benefits of attaining it every day? To speak thoroughly, Yoga has the power to strengthen your body and mind. It allows you to take control of yourself, a great way to stay energetic and limber. The list doesn't stop here; there are multiple health conditions like poor blood circulation, lower back pain, breathing problem and stress; Yoga can help improve the situation.

It can help you to have a better body image.

Yoga helps people to enlarge their minds and thus develop inner awareness. The awareness helps you to focus your attention on your body. It helps to develop the strength of the body and mind. However, it is not addressed to the physical appearance only. 

Yoga studios generally do not have mirrors so that people can focus their attention inwardly and not on how they pose- or what other people are doing. It is proven that people who attend yoga sessions are more likely to be aware of their bodies than others who do not. The former people are more satisfied with their bodies than ever. So, consistently practicing Yoga can lead you to have a positive and healthy body image and self-esteem.

Where to start first?

Many institutions or centres give yoga classes; all you need is to select the right one for you. It is essential for you to know the right style you can adopt and practice and the right instructor to lead the way. Once you find the right ones, you can start taking your lessons. However, before jumping straight to it, try to talk with your instructor about your health condition. Let them know your strength and weakness so that you can avoid any unwanted consequences.
There is not a single person who doesn't want to possess mental stability and be physically fit. And Yoga can offer you both. But most importantly, it offers to quiet the mind. It starts with finely tuning with attention, works on the body then moves to the mind, thus completing the healing process. So, don't dwell much on stress; learn how to control the senses through Yoga!

When people think of yoga, they seem to get a picture of monks sitting in a specific position and deep concentration in their minds. Some people even think of challenging, difficult positions and difficult breathing methods. But the reality is that yoga for stamina disperses these misinterpretations and leads you to a much easy way to build forbearance. Yoga is a spiritual practice and is believed to have its origin in India. In Indian culture, it is more than just a method of relaxation or stretching; it is a way to find the inner self and satisfaction. And the benefits that you can get from this practice will undoubtedly surprise you once you make it a daily habit.

Some yoga poses to build stamina

Majority of people who has a working life or busy schedule like to include yoga in their everyday lifestyle. It aids their stress and builds strength. The moment you fully involve yourself in practicing yoga, you will be able to concentrate more on your work and give your best. But do all the yoga poses work the same?

Well, of course not. Let's learn about some poses that work on body strength and stamina.

Navasana or Boat Pose

Navasana is categorized as a more basic pose that gives you a stronger core. This asana is also called boat pose. First, you need to lie straight and then lean backwards and pick your feet off the ground. Then take your arms forward and stay like that for a minute. Now release and repeat.

This asana is very effective in starting the routine. Make this pose a norm for your body; you won't regret it!

The ultimate legged Straddle pose or Konasana

The straddle pose is considered one of the favourites among many yoga learners. It works on the body's blood circulation and helps it reach the pelvic and groin area. To do this pose:
Sit straight and flex your legs.
Spread them apart until you feel comfortable.
Slowly come down to the ground, hold for a couple of seconds, and then repeat.
Doing this asana four times a day can bestow you with excellent results.

Child's pose or Balasana

This pose is mainly known for relaxing the body, mind and other external senses. A child's pose is one of the effective ones to relieve stress and improve your concentration. First, kneel and make your back arched. Now stretch both hands in front of you where the palms should be resting on the floor. Hold this pose for ten seconds and repeat it. It is known as the stress buster and heals several dangerous conditions.

Dhanurasana

This asana mainly focuses on the stretching of the entire body. It helps to boost digestion and weight loss, and blood circulation. The more you practice this pose, the more flexible you'll become. First, lie on the stomach, then pull the feet with your hand and pull it backwards. Your body should look like a bow, as the name suggests. Hold this position for a minute, then repeat it.

Vakrasana or twisted pose

This one is most effective for your stomach. It helps to reduce belly fat and also improves digestion. To do this pose, you need to take a posture of steady stance first, then place the right foot beside the left side. Your one hand should be on the knees of your right leg, and the other hand should be a wee bit away from your body. Keep your spine straight and focus on breathing. Hold this pose for a few minutes, and then repeat it.

Kakasana or Crow pose

This asana is for improving their focus, eliminating sluggishness, and maintaining physical and mental balance. Kakasana mainly helps you stretch your wrists, arms, and forearm muscles. Try this pose first by doing the squat, and don't forget to keep the legs a little bit apart. Then place the hands firmly on the ground, and by constantly focusing on the balance, uplift your body.

This pose makes your body and mind feel light. This is a difficult post, but you can also master this with practice.

Halasana or Plough Pose

Want to tackle obesity? Try doing Halasana. This pose is well-known for revitalizing the inner organs; it cures constipation, indigestion, etc. To begin with, this pose, first lie on your back and place your hands on each side. Then lift the legs all over the head, making a 180º angle.
Practicing yoga for stamina is an absolute choice, without any doubt. Above mentioned poses mainly work on strengthening the core, improving blood circulation, tone the pelvic area and calming the body and mind. So, it works on mental, physical, and spiritual aspects. Therefore, include yoga in your everyday routine. Make it a part of your lifestyle, and you will see the results in no time.

Advantages of Yoga

As the saying goes, “yoga, if done right, it doesn’t take long to become a lifestyle changer”. No doubt it is true. Yoga comes with various advantages; if adopted, it has the power to change a person’s life. From reducing stress to improving sleep to strengthening the muscle, yoga belongs everywhere. So naturally, this question will strike in mind, what else can yoga do for us? Well, of course. There are numbers of yoga that can help with maintaining a healthy and balanced life. As yoga is most definitely not the matter of burning calories on the mat, it is more than that!
Research said that doing yoga, even for a very short period, can help to develop multiple benefits. If you become strong and flexible with yoga, naturally, you’ll be capable of other exercises like swimming, dancing, etc. So, yoga can help you building enormous positive ways toward a perfect lifestyle.

Enhance concentration

When you do yoga regularly, it helps make your mind and senses calm, and a calm mind can concentrate more. In other words, practicing yoga can keep your mind distance from any fluctuating thoughts or distractions of life, which automatically drives you to a peaceful mind and to do your work perfectly.

Increases blood flow

Practicing yoga helps in blood circulation. A movement of your body can bring more oxygen to cells, and more blood circulation is equal to a stronger heart and healthier body. Poor blood circulation can lead to many diseases such as high pressure, heart attacks, and strokes.

Improve balance and increase stability

Many yoga poses require balance, so practicing yoga on a daily basis can help you to build such balance. Although each yoga targets particular muscles, your body becomes more balanced, stable, and flexible. It gives a lower risk of injury and a better sense of balance.

Reduce stress

yoga is a great mind and body movement that can benefit your body by reducing its stress level. It can lower heart rate, and the daily practice of yoga can soothe your mind from being anxious easily.

Encourage a healthy lifestyle.

Even though the prime benefit of yoga is it makes you capable of living a healthy life, there is more to it. It does not only encourage you to proper self-care but also increases your life span by adopting healthy habits.

As above discussed, yoga can help you in more than one way; it has universal benefits. Everyone must indulge in at least twenty minutes of yoga practice to maintain their health, as it is a secret to living a longer, healthier life. You only need to make time for it and stick to the resolution!