Yoga has always been a sort of therapy for me, a safe space to work on my mental health and self-love. During the toughest hot yoga classes, I have found out how powerful my mind can be when pushing myself to the end. I’m also always able to find a connection to the teacher’s positive intention, causing me to look inward. This discovery of the immense power yoga can have on the mind peaked my interest. I had gone from a dark place of self-loathing and major doubt in my identity to a person with true love for herself and being able to understand all of the things I deserve. I wanted to be able to have that effect on others and so I embarked on the journey of getting my 200HR Yoga Teacher certification.
Some of the positive mental benefits of yoga include boosting serotonin levels and creating a sense of community and belonging. This is because the practice of yoga has many different levels and modifications, which makes it accessible to all skill levels. This uplifting feeling and sense of accomplishment can help those with anxiety and depression.
Your yoga practice can also benefit your ability to focus. During a yoga class you will usually find the instructor connecting different postures to an inhale or exhale of breath. When you are tuned into your breath and making each breath intentional, you will feel a sense of calm and find a clearer mind.
Try it for yourself! Close your eyes and let all the air go out of your lungs. Now take a deep breath in through your nose and feel the air fill your lungs as your belly and ribs expand to their capacity. Hold it here for four…three…two…one and slowly exhale through your mouth. As you repeat this over and over you will find yourself focused on your breath and those sensations over any of the other chaos happening outside of your body. You can carry this practice from your mat and into your daily life.
Throughout my yoga journey, I have been blown away by the positive impact this practice has had on myself and those around me. From stress management to boosting self-esteem, I could not recommend yoga enough to those looking to make a change in their mental health.
#yoga #yogi #myyogapractice #inhomeyoga #yogaathome #privateyoga #arizona #scottsdale #easyyoga #health #wellness #mind #mentalhealth #yogabenefits #stressmanagement #anxiety
Rajmohan, V, and E Mohandas. “The Limbic System.” Indian Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 49, no. 2, 2007, p. 132., doi:10.4103/0019-5545.33264.
Khoshaba, Deborah. “Take a Stand for Yoga Today.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 23 May 2013, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/get-hardy/201305/take-stand-yoga-today.
留言