By Sangeetha Saran and Faye Martins
How can Yoga improve your emotional health? Most people who do yoga understand how daily practice can give a person a healthier, leaner, more balanced body. People may not be aware of the genuine possibility that regular and repeated yoga sessions can significantly improve the emotional health of the practitioner. If you’ve been a yoga instructor for some time, you’ve certainly noticed your students becoming more limber and flexible. Look closely, and you will probably see positive emotional changes in their innermost beings. Yogis and yoginis who begin every day with a sun salutation tend to keep that glow about them everywhere they go.
Reducing Stress
What is it about a yogic discipline that does so much to improve the practitioner’s mood and emotional health? The stretches and asanas of yoga are excellent stress reducers, but it goes deeper than that. When meditative breathing techniques are incorporated into a routine, yoga achieves what no other form of exercise can. Practitioners say that regular yoga sessions reduce or even eliminate feelings of hostility and make day-to-day problems easier to manage.
Researching Yoga for Emotional Health
Traci A. Statler, Ph.D., is a sports psychology consultant. Amy Wheeler, Ph.D., is a yoga expert. They are both American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) members. In 2007, they closely observed 84 students during a ten-week Hatha yoga class at California State University San Bernardino. Participants were tested for concentration, motivation, and anxiety levels. Statler and Wheeler noted significant improvement in all three areas. From Wheeler’s report: “While westerners tend to regard yoga primarily as a physical discipline, in the East, it is pursued as a mindful discipline, helping people live their lives with clarity and a positive outlook.”
Yoga Poses
The mental and emotional benefits of yoga are well-documented. Yoga can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression while promoting overall psychological well-being. Certain yoga poses can be beneficial for emotional health. For example, the child’s pose is a restorative posture that can help to ease feelings of fatigue and anxiousness. The Lion pose is another pose that can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Yoga poses that open up the chest and lungs can also benefit emotional health. These poses include the Bridge pose and the Camel pose. These poses can help to open up the body and release tension that may be causing feelings of sadness or despair.
Pranayama
Pranayama, or breath work, is a powerful tool that can help to release emotion and promote emotional flow. When we feel emotionally stuck, it is often because we are holding our breath or not breathing deeply enough. This can build up tension in the body and mind, making it difficult to process and release emotions. Pranayama can help to release this tension and promote emotional flow by helping us to breathe more deeply and effectively. It can also help to calm the mind and nervous system, which can further support the release of emotions. If you are struggling with emotional blockages, pranayama may be a helpful tool for you to explore.
Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra, or “yogic sleep,” is a powerful tool for emotional health. It is a state of complete physical, mental and emotional relaxation. In this state, the practitioner can go beyond the agitated mind and tap into the deeper levels of consciousness. Yoga Nidra can help release deep-seated emotions and trauma stored in the body. It is a safe and effective way to deal with difficult feelings without getting overwhelmed. Yoga Nidra is as effective as meditating for treating anxiety and depression. Yoga Nidra can also help to improve sleep quality and reduce stress levels. It is an excellent practice for those who suffer from insomnia or other sleep disorders. Since Yoga Nidra helps to reduce stress, it can also help to improve overall health and well-being.
Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness meditation is a form of mindfulness that can be practiced while seated, walking, or lying down. It is a simple and effective way to relieve stress and anxiety and improve emotional health. When you are feeling stressed or anxious, your mind is usually racing, thinking about all the things that are wrong in your life or could go wrong. This can lead to negative thinking patterns and harmful behaviors. Mindfulness meditation quiets the mind and allows you to focus on the present moment. This can help break the cycle of negative thinking and improve your overall emotional health. Mindfulness meditation has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also help increase self-awareness, self-compassion, and emotional regulation. All of these things can lead to a happier, healthier life.
Path of Steady Progress
Yoga requires concentration and coordination. Yoga encourages mindfulness. The inward focus of yogic practice creates a strong connection between body and mind. The yogi’s slow, gentle movements and controlled, rhythmic breathing are known to reduce both physical tension and emotional anxiety. The goal of yoga is progress, not perfection. Regular yoga sessions, whether in a class, ashram, or solitary practice, can lead to self-acceptance and a more serene outlook on life. When one achieves physical balance, emotional balance is likely to ensue.
Comparison
Is one technique more beneficial to emotional health than another? Maybe not. Whether Hatha, Restorative, Vinyasa, or another traditional form, yoga offers mind and body benefits to all. The different yoga techniques can be confusing for beginners. However, there are some key points to remember when choosing a yoga class or instructor. First, finding a class geared toward your needs and interests is essential. If you are new to yoga, it might be helpful to try a beginner’s class. If you have experience with yoga, many specialized classes are available, such as hot or power yoga. Second, pay attention to the environment of the class. The atmosphere should be one of acceptance and non-judgment. The instructor should create an environment where students feel comfortable and supported.
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Medical News Today; Yoga Improves Concentration, Motivation – Benefits Beyond Strength And Flexibility; published June 13, 2007; accessed March 16, 2014
Really worked for me. Everyday when I do some yoga execises I feel myseft fit and healthty within and I’m very happy for this. Thanks for posting useful yoga information.