Yoga: exercise for the mind (and body)
Anyone who has ever tried yoga knows, intuitively, it’s good for you. But there is also evidence to suggest that yoga can help with ageing, stiffness and sleep (not to mention the mind) - the list of mega health benefits goes on. Many of us find yoga because we understand it to be a physical practice, but in reality, yoga has never had anything to do with what our body looks like. In fact, it’s a practice focused on breathing and conscious movement; a form of mindfulness that showcases just how powerful the mind-body connection really is.
A healthy balance
A common story we hear about yoga is how it opens a door to so much more than what you expected. That’s because yoga practice can go beyond the physical. Maybe you fell into yoga because you heard it was great for toning, strengthening and stress management - all of these things are true. However, yoga is not solely for physical development. As an ancient practice, the original purpose of yoga was centred on spirituality to train the body and mind to cultivate awareness and higher consciousness within individuals. The combination of conscious breathing paired with slow, mindful movement unlocks a more enlightening experience than one would have anticipated from something they deemed exercise.
Mindfulness coach, Johanna Melchiorre, reaffirms the idea, “Yoga is often considered a work-out, but in reality, it is also a work-in. While it is true that the practice involves moving your body, yoga is a holistic practice that helps you become more aware of your inner landscape, tap into your inner wisdom, find greater peace, and clarity in your daily life”.
Yoga is a system of breathing, moving through postures with purpose and connecting to yourself. It prepares you for accepting the stillness and silence that comes at the end of practice (otherwise known as Shavasana). Yoga is such an expansive discipline that covers every moment of your life, whether you realise it or not. It can assist you through the toughest of times and prepare you for them - both physically and mentally; it is your ally when you are enjoying the happy occasions in life. The context of yoga is to increase awareness and decrease disease.
Benefits of yoga
One of the most impressive benefits of yoga is how it can reduce ageing. Yes, yoga can impact the way we age. Research by Nobel Prize winner, Dr. Blackburn suggests that regular meditation and yoga, in combination with a healthy diet and lifestyle, can significantly slow the ageing process. Such practices can reduce the shortening of ‘telomeres’ on the end of our chromosomes (a benchmark scientists use as a measure for ageing and disease risk). Her studies displayed a 30% increase in telomerase activity after four to six months of regular mindfulness practices, reducing their rate of decay and suggesting that regular yoga and meditation is beneficial for stress reduction.
As well as the mindfulness and attention to inner experience, an integral aspect of yoga is body mechanics. It involves flexibility, core muscle strength and realigning the spine. Chronic pain can be psychological as well as physical. Yoga enables your muscles to relax while strengthening them. At the same, your mind and breath are focused which can subconsciously ignite the mind-body connection. This is a huge component of the psychological pain that can manifest itself as physical pain. It’s not to say you don’t have low back pain or a sore ankle, for example, but the power of the mind can play into that and this is how yoga can help you unlock the power of the mind to heal your own body.
Start at any age, enjoy the benefits
Yoga is an ancient practice that can promote better sleep, reduce stress levels and improve flexibility. It can decrease inflammation in the body and actually allow the immune system to work more efficiently. With yoga, you reap the rewards both mentally and physically. Plus, it’s never too late to start.
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