yoga is an ancient practice that combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation to promote balance between body and mind. Over the years, yoga has gained popularity around the world due to its many benefits for physical and mental health.
In commemoration of the World Yoga Day celebrated on June 21, it’s time to explore the different ways in which this discipline can improve your overall well-being. From flexibility and balance to muscular strength, cardiovascular health and stress reduction, yoga offers a holistic approach to taking care of your health.
FLEXIBILITY
It is well known for its ability to improve the flexibility of the body. Yoga postures work different muscle groups and stretches, which gradually increases the range of motion in the joints. With regular practice, you will notice how your body becomes more flexible, allowing you to perform daily activities with greater ease and reducing the risk of injuries.
BALANCE
Balance is essential in all areas of life and yoga can help you improve it. Through specific postures that challenge your stability, you strengthen the main muscles responsible for stability, such as those in the legs and abdominal belt. This not only helps you stay stable on the mat, but also improves your balance in daily activities such as walking or playing sports.
MUSCULAR FORCE
Although it is often thought of as a gentle practice, yoga can also be a great way to build muscle strength. Many poses require you to support and hold your own body weight, which puts a lot of pressure on your muscles. Over time, you will notice how your body strengthens, improving endurance and muscle tone.
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
While not an intense cardiovascular exercise, yoga can have a positive impact on heart health. Dynamic poses, such as sequences, can increase heart rate and improve blood flow. Additionally, yoga practice is associated with lowering blood pressure, balancing cholesterol levels, and decreasing stress, all of which contribute to overall cardiovascular health.
STRESS
One of the most well-known benefits of yoga is its ability to reduce stress and promote relaxation. By combining postures, conscious breathing techniques and meditation, it helps to calm the mind and relieve tension built up in the body. Regular practice can reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol and increase the production of endorphins, which generate feelings of well-being and happiness.
THE MOST KNOWN YOGA STYLES
Different styles share the same basic asanas or postures that are part of the ancient tradition of yoga and have been passed down over the years. However, while the asanas may be the same, the way they are taught, sequenced, and practiced can vary depending on a specific style. Each style of yoga has its own philosophy and approach, which can influence how the postures are approached. Here are some of the most well-known styles:
Yoga
It is suitable for beginners and focuses on physical postures and breathing techniques. It is a gentle and slow form of yoga that aims to balance physical and mental energy.
Vinyasa Yoga
It is characterized by fluid movements and transitions synchronized with the breath. Practitioners move from one posture to another in a continuous sequence, which creates a dynamic and energetic practice. It improves endurance, strength, and flexibility.
Ashtanga Yoga
It is a vigorous and challenging style that follows a specific sequence of postures. It emphasizes breath control, fluid movements, and concentration. This practice is intense and physically demanding, ideal for those looking for an athletic challenge.
Vinyasa Yoga
Also known as “hot yoga,” it is practiced in a room heated to high temperatures and high humidity. The sequence includes 26 postures and two breathing exercises. The combination of heat and specific postures helps improve flexibility and detoxify the body.
Yoga
It focuses on awakening inner energy through postures, breathing, chanting mantras, and meditation. It aims to balance the chakras and promote deeper spiritual awareness. It is considered a more spiritual and transformative approach.
Yin Yoga
It is characterized by maintaining passive postures for long periods of time, usually 3 to 5 minutes. The goal is to work on the connective tissues and fascia of the body, improving flexibility and joint mobility. It is a relaxing and meditative practice that promotes calm and introspection.