Yoga for the Modern World
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, many of us find ourselves caught in a whirlwind of activity. We're constantly bombarded with information from countless digital sources, each vying for our attention. On top of that, there are the everyday demands of full-time jobs, managing bills, navigating inflation, and the responsibilities of parenting, among others. Our nervous systems bear the brunt of processing this daily influx of stimuli. Add to that the physical toll of maintaining a balanced diet, staying fit, and simply finding moments to breathe.The truth is, most of us are in dire need of practices that help us slow down, allowing our minds to digest and giving our bodies the care they deserve to alleviate physical stress. By doing so, we can help our nervous systems return to a state of equilibrium.
Exploring the Physical Benefits
It's no secret that Yoga is a powerful practice. Despite its arrival in the West over 100 years ago, its physical benefits continue to be studied exhaustively. However, many still perceive it as merely a stretching routine with some breathing exercises thrown in. The truth is, Yoga is a highly intelligent, holistic practice that not only enhances physical flexibility, but also fosters harmonious functioning throughout our physiology. Beyond just improving flexibility, numerous studies suggest that Yoga cultivates strength, reduces inflammation, boosts immunity, enhances balance, improves cardiovascular function, refines posture, and promotes better sleep. The various postures, synchronised breathing, and even chanting practices have all been shown to contribute to these benefits. This provides a relieving contrast to the high-intensity workouts most of us favour, giving our bodies a chance to adapt, recover, and keep up with the demands of modern life. But it gets better. As we start to nurture our bodies, our minds come along for the journey too.
Mind-Body Connection
Within the tradition of Yoga practice, it has long been understood that the mind and body are profoundly interconnected, but this is now a well-known fact within the fields of psychology and neuroscience. We function as one continuous whole, and when we are in tune with what our body needs, our mind begins to discharge too. Studies have found that Yoga actually activates areas in the brain responsible for executive function, neuroplasticity, attention, and motivation, resulting in more clarity, awareness, and energy. Furthermore, the breathing and focused attention aspect of Yoga has been found to contribute to improved mental health, including alleviation from anxiety and depression. This is especially true of the "yoga nidra" aspect, which includes the body scan/guided meditation in the final posture at the end of a class. In this, something called "meta-awareness" is developed where the mind adapts its perception to what it is experiencing, and we are able to distinguish ourselves from what we are experiencing. The beauty of this intentional space is that it trickles over into our daily lives. The calibration that happens during Yoga practice has a direct influence on the quality of our life. In developing the physical and mental tools, we grow, we adapt, and we show up differently. Who would have thought some "stretching with breathing" could achieve so much?
Some Practical Considerations
It is worth saying that one practice never solves all your problems, but it certainly can help you manage them with more clarity and resilience. We still need to eat well, take time to relax, cultivate friendships, and insert every cliche we know is actually true. Yoga is also an extremely broad term for a range of different practices, some of which will suit you and some of which won't. You might have to get help adapting postures depending on your age and physical capability or start slow and gradually evolve your practice over time. Finally, don't buy into the trend and do Yoga to look cool on social media. Take the time to give yourself what you need and let the hard work of showing up and doing the practice. Over time, the benefits begin to speak for themselves, and at a minimum, you will get a good stretch in. Why not come and join us for a yoga class in Camp Hill, Coorparoo or Milton - or try our online yoga classes.
Want to learn more about the restorative benefits of Yoga, read our blog: What is Yin Yoga or 3 reasons you should stay for savasana
