by My initial misgivings of yoga and meditation practices was shared among friends as an entertaining story. Although I tried both forms at least twice before, neither seemed beneficial – particularly not for someone like myself who’s less-than-flexible, always on the move, being on a mat stretching myself into various shapes before sitting still to “be” seemed torturous to me! Had there existed “yoga people”, calm, slower individuals that enjoy these practices instead – then surely yoga wouldn’t make such an impressionful statement about oneself like it makes now; yet once practice makes me relaxed and joyful too!
However, today I have become an avid yoga practitioner! What happened?
True… One day when I found an instructor whose style of yoga seemed perfectly tailored for my needs, it felt like homecoming – no matter if my physique wasn’t ideal or I felt different than others in class; all were welcomed equally, like being given an enormous, heartfelt hug from strangers; yoga helped my mind and body feel at peace again!
Yoga forces me out of my own mental fog and encourages me to concentrate on activities I know will boost my mood and reduce tension; yet they remain difficult tasks while on my mat. Knowing about its scientific foundation has only served to further disprove its supposed woo-woo nature: yoga benefits have long been acknowledged and numerous recent studies demonstrate this can bring happiness; nonetheless, even after nearly 20 years of clinical mental health training I still found yoga to be inaccessible at times in my daily life.
Trauma Sensoritive Yoga (TCTSY) was my gateway into discovering my connection between my daily world and anything related to “woo woo”.
As a trauma survivor, TCTSYSY helped me open up and reveal some of my hidden trauma-based memories and find my voice again to speak up about things I cared deeply about.
At times something happens that changes how we see the world. TCTSY made this experience truly transformative by taking my yoga routine to another level – sparking enthusiasm and providing purposefulness; making each exercise session fun! Yoga exercise brought me so much pleasure.
Different varieties of yoga offer various advantages
My initial perception of yoga before beginning practice was one of statue-like gorgeous individuals hunched over like pretzels while singing “Om” in unison. After my introduction, however, I learned there are various kinds of yoga which range from spiritually focused or relaxing sessions towards athletic and physically demanding ones – meaning if one type isn’t for you due to certain types of training being preferred or disliked there may still be another that suits! With its growing popularity Yoga now seems to be everywhere with no set path for everyone looking forward!
What effects does yoga have on your body? What can yoga do to make you healthier?
Yoga’s effects could all be linked to one mechanism – the vagus nerve. This nerve connects our minds (and thus physical bodies) directly.
Brain Stem: Vagus NerveThe vagus nerve connects facial muscles, the heart, digestive tract, lungs reproductive organs and kidneys – among many other body systems – all vital functions. It plays an essential part in operating the parasympathetic nervous system which regulates digestion and rest, regulates heart beats as well as peaceful and relaxing states. Furthermore, its nerve control regulates communication such as larynx/eyes/ears (helping distinguish human voice from background), along with facial muscles involved with vocal expression or non-vocal displays/expressions.
Vagus Nerve plays an essential part in controlling our behavior toward others and makes us calm, relaxed, and at peace with life around us. A properly functioning vagus nerve helps people become relaxed, comfortable, and at peace with life around them – acting upon this directly activates Vagus Nerve for positive effects – it’s possible to start an upward trend of positive happiness by altering either their physical condition or mind state; yoga offers great tools that can make people more contentment.
Studies indicate that maintaining proper functioning of the vagus nerve can promote emotional regulation, social competence and more prosocial behaviors while decreasing hostility, aggression depression and anxiety. Yoga meditation breathing techniques as well as performing yoga poses may strengthen vagal nerve.
Yoga changes your brain immediately
There’s an assumption that consistent yoga practice requires years to produce results, yet that is simply not true; research shows even small doses could positively influence vagal tone; in essence, even just a handful of classes can begin stimulating your brain more fully and improving your mood.
Long-term yoga practice creates long-term changes
People who practice Yoga on a regular basis report feeling more at peace with themselves and happier overall, studies indicating it helps relieve anxiety, fatigue and anger issues. Furthermore, biochemical modifications produced through practice of Yoga promote greater mental and physical well-being for users.
Breathing can make you feel more content
All yoga routines involve some element of breathing to either stimulate or calm you, according to studies. Studies have proven the importance of conscious and controlled breathing for stress reduction as well as staying focused in the present moment and thus creating more relaxation overall. While practicing breathing exercises alone without yoga practice may bring its own happiness benefits, combining both can bring even greater results!
Live Yoga, and feeling more joyful
Did you realize that posture affects mood? While depression may cause slumping more often, altering posture could actually impact how we feel positively and strongly – yoga provides this link between brain and body which allows our bodies to communicate to make us feel positive and strong so don’t be shy in strengthening your spine and sitting up straight!
Here are seven tips on how to keep positive
Be aware of your emotional Health
Negative thoughts often accompany emotions like stress, anxiety, pessimism and anger – therefore taking care to maintain emotional wellbeing is of vital importance. Journaling your feelings allows you to control them more easily while writing down all those bothersome thoughts is an effective way to address them head on and combat negative thinking patterns. Once written down and recorded can change mindset and serve as an enchantment to mental wellbeing!
Don’t try to combat your negative emotions
Human beings tend to resist everything that appears harmful. Negative thinking is no exception: our goal should be to counter all negative thoughts with positive phrases in an attempt to fight them off quickly, however its results tend to be short term and therefore ineffective. A more efficient solution would be simply doing nothing and let it be. When sitting and looking around your thoughts will disperse as time goes on.
Meditate
Next step for understanding what you think about is meditation, an immensely effective practice which helps rewire the brain towards positive thought processes. All it requires to start is closing your eyes and paying attention to breathing; with regular and consistent practice you may notice changes in your thoughts over time. If it proves challenging for you, join a 7-day Yoga retreat held at AYM Yoga studio located in Rishikesh – you will learn meditation at its highest level while remaining comfortable and safe!
Check out the habits you have developed
Many of us have an unfortunate habit of viewing others as possessing flaws or weaknesses and then sticking with this belief, failing to see that our perception may be flawed or that it has become our normal to always find something negative in everything. Now is an opportune time to review how you have been doing things and change this pattern, instead searching for positive attributes when seeking fault with anything instead. When seeking out negative aspects in something, try instead looking out for things which you appreciate instead of constantly searching out flaws in it.
Try Yoga
As soon as our minds start racing with negative thoughts and we become inactive, the best solution is engaging in physical activity to break free. Yoga can be one of the best solutions if we wish to remain optimistic; yoga improves blood circulation while strengthening and stretching muscles as well as breathing better; it releases positive hormones within your body while creating more positivity overall – perfect if we wish to combat negative thinking by subduing our emotions through activity like Rishikesh yoga teacher training to master this ancient form.
At its heart, one of the keys to avoiding negativity lies within living in the present moment and remaining mindful. We often spend too much time scrolling social media where everyone appears as heroes which only serves to increase irritability and stress levels further. Instead of spending your precious moments scrolling social media feeds aimlessly, try instead focusing on yourself and what worthwhile goals can be reached within each present moment – you will find plenty of time left over for personal development as well as creating positive environments!
Make yourself more compassionate to yourself
At times of trauma or struggle, we must show kindness and empathy towards ourselves first and foremost. Don’t allow yourself to get stuck in self-pity: use self-care strategies such as taking a hot shower, enjoying healthy foods like salad or even lunch and napping before continuing your self-care rituals with other means that work for you!
Yoga changes your brain immediately
Many individuals assume it will take years of consistent effort before the benefits of happiness or mental health enhancement can be seen and felt, yet that simply isn’t true; quite the contrary is actually the case!
Studies have proven that yoga exercise increases brain GABA levels within just an hour! Higher GABA levels have been linked with less anxiety and depression; meaning even just one session of Yoga could change your chemical makeup and elevate your mood!
Joyfully take part in our MerryBody classes right from your living room! At our MerryBody Online Studio we provide unlimited Yoga (Pilates as well as Meditation) classes which you can attend whenever it suits your schedule – right from any device!
Long-term yoga means long-term changes
What will happen as you keep practicing Yoga over extended periods of time? Your benefits will increase! People who regularly practice Yoga are reported as healthier and reporting increased happiness levels without changes. Numerous studies have also confirmed how regular Yoga practices reduce stress, anxiety and tension levels.
There’s an old proverb which states: Yoga does not change your world… rather it changes how you interact and engage with those within it.
Yoga changes how we perceive life. But its transformations extend further than just that… via chemical release linked by Yoga philosophy that channels these transformations forward.
A healthy breathing pattern makes you feel happier
As noted in many of our earlier blog posts, breathing is one of the cornerstones of Yoga exercise and an integral component to life itself.
Our classes teach proper breathing to relax both body and mind. There are also advanced and deeper level classes.
Studies have proven the benefits of being aware of and controlling one’s breath to manage emotions and stress more effectively, which in turn contribute to overall greater happiness as well as healthier-looking skin.
Yoga and breathing exercises can do wonders to increase happiness, with many forms available as breathing exercises you can practice any time you like – like during those anxious times when heart rates begin racing and blood begins rushing… one of our breathwork methods may help ease stressful circumstances quickly and reduce emotional strain.
Are You Already a MerryBody Member? Join Thrive Yoga or Exhale Extended Pranayama today.
Yoga can improve your posture and improves your mood
Have you ever considered that your mood may often depend on what posture you adopt when standing or sitting up?
Have you considered how your posture has an indirect effect on your state of mind?
No doubt we all feel sad when experiencing unhappiness…But is depression the same way when our spirits have taken a hit?!
Your feelings and psychological state are intrinsically intertwined; now slouch your shoulders, turn toward the ground, and pay attention to how your body feels…
Do a shoulder roll upward, downward and backward while looking towards the horizon; throw on some warm smiles across your facial features… do you notice an improvement? The world seems lighter, positive and optimistic; happy!
Adjusting and improving your posture could significantly change your state of mind and boost it significantly, much like doing the Superwoman Pose for an hour or more can do! Doing the Superwoman pose (hands in hips with relaxed shoulders back proudly standing tall) gives people much-needed relief compared to simply standing still!
Engaging in Yoga will strengthen the link between body and brain, enabling your body to transmit messages that make you more energetic, healthier, and happier! It may even reduce stress.
That was just the start! Discover more about how yoga changes your Brain, as well as managing stress and anxiety through Yoga practice.
If you have read through to here, it may mean either that Yoga has captured your interest as much as we do or you would like to start but are uncertain how.
MerryBody provides an incredible 7-day risk-free trial experience so that you can explore its full array of classes, meditations and group offerings risk free – and possibly reaping many positive effects along the way!
