Yoga has been something for me that on my journey in this life time is something I knew I’d have to take practice In, before I started I wasn’t sure why I had this strong desire to be a yogi all I knew Is that it was something I had to do in order to learn the reasons why. My thoughts on yoga previously from more of a rigid point of view was that it wasn’t a proper work out and that it wouldn’t get your heart rate up enough to be counted as exercise and that it was boring. Now just over 4 years later and I have learnt so much and experianced first hand about all the benefits of yoga.
Yoga helps to build muscle strength and prevents back pain, stiffness in the body, helps balance, flexibility and posture. It is suitable for all ages and can be modified for each of our physiological differences. After just one class it will help you have a more peaceful sleep as the main principle of yoga is to clear the mind and focus on the ‘now’. Every practice is helping the body to relax by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps regulate the adrenals – amazing to balance out our busy and on-the-go lives. Scientists have now more recently done many studies on yoga and found not only a number of physical benefits but benefits with overall well being too. It teaches principles that you start to habitually implement in your everyday life. You find yourself being more accepting of things, people and events that arise in your life, to breathe in stressful situations and let go of things that are not relevant to this exact point in time. While improving lung capacity by focusing on deep and long breaths, it decreases pain in the body and lowers blood sugar levels also. Some say they don’t like yoga because they think too much, this is because at first, sometimes being alone with your thoughts can be overwhelming. You can be confronted with your noisy monkey mind (meaning unsettled, restless, confused or indecisive). This is why many of us can be addicted to our very chaotic lives because we get to avoid all the chatter in our head for a while. When the body is still the mind wants to take over, the thoughts start to race in more rapidly, it could be, thoughts of the day, insecurities, suppressed feelings or memories of the past. Yoga can help teach you to allow these thoughts to be and observe them without judgement to let them pass and accept what is. We call yoga a practice because with much practice brings greater awareness of ourselves and we are always a work in progress. Since starting yoga I have noticed I’ve been generally happier, my adrenal function has improved. I have genuinely seen improvements in every aspect of mental, emotional and physical and spiritual state. I am very grateful for this improved state of being. The gift of health is really the best wealth. Maybe this blog sparks that desire in you to try it for yourself or maybe not, either way thank you for reading. Author Daniela Cavallaro
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