Yoga can Benefit both your Mental and Physical Health

The practice of yoga has been around for centuries. Originating in India, yoga was introduced to America in the late 1800’s. Since then, yoga has grown in popularity, and people who practice yoga are now in the millions, in fact, yoga can now be found in schools, hospitals, senior centers, prisons and office spaces.

The health benefits of practicing yoga are abundant, both mentally and physically. Yoga helps to build strength and increase flexibility, while also training your mind to improve concentration, reduce stress and find a balance in your emotional state.

Yoga class teaches you to move your body, train your mind to help reduce anxiety and focus on being kinder to oneself. It is a philosophy that helps you connect to your inner self by nourishing the part of us that makes us compassionate and kind.

Yoga is a peaceful practice, centered around a mindfulness that directs us to a higher level of consciousness, where in the moment, we take a mental time out and focus on the movement and the connections.

Basic yoga poses to try;

Forward Fold– Keeping your knees straight, slowly bend forward as far as you can comfortably go, place your hands on the ground in front of you or on the back of your calves.

Plank– Place your hands on the ground, arms straight over your wrists and walk back until your feet are directly behind you, creating a straight line from your shoulders to your heels.

Down Dog– From the plank position, shift your weight onto your heals and life your hips upward, leaving your heels as close to the ground as possible.

Tree– Stand with your hips shoulder-width apart, open your toes to distribute weight evenly on the right food. Set your left foot on the inside of your right thigh. Bring hand together with open palms, and lift overhead. TIP: Focus on an object at eye level to assist with balance.

Corpse pose– Working your way on to your back, lay flat with your arms to your side. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing.

Namaste