Benefits of Yoga on Mental and Physical Health

Yoga books tell us that Yoga, as we all know, is aimed to unite the mind, the body, and the spirit. Yogis view that the mind and the body are one, and that if it is given the right yoga kit and tools and taken to the right environment, it can find harmony and heal itself. Yoga therefore is considered therapeutic. It helps you become more aware of your body’s posture, alignment and patterns of movement. It makes the body more flexible and helps you relax even in the midst of a stress stricken environment. This is one of the foremost reasons why people want to start Practicing Yoga – to feel fitter, be more energetic, be happier and peaceful.

Yoga is a science that has been practiced for thousands of years. It is consists of Ancient Theories, observations and principles about the mind and body connection which is now being proven by modern medicine. Substantial research has been conducted to look at the Health Benefits of Yoga – from the Yoga Postures (Asanas), Yoga Breathing (Pranayama), and Meditation. The information on Yoga Poses & Benefits are grouped into two categories-physiological, psychological. Furthermore, scientists have laid these results against the benefits of regular exercise.

Benefits of Yoga at Physical Level :-

Benefits of yoga on the physical level are well known. Today, millions are taking to the yogic lifestyle for its health and fitness benefits. Yoga makes your body steady, flexible and strong. It increases endurance and vitalizes the organs. It gives a feel-good factor and improves self-confidence. Though not a panacea for everything, it is known to relieve many health problems, like anxiety, constipation, obesity, hypertension, digestive disorders, hormonal imbalances, respiratory and cardiac problems, allergies, and reproductive disorders, to name a few. Various yoga asanas and the Hatha Yoga practices of shad karmas (six practices for purification of body) were developed for specific health benefits.

• Improves flexibility, strength, muscle form, and toning
• Reduces pain in joints, back, arthritis, migraines, and muscle soreness
• Stabilizes breathing and improves lung capacity
• Improves blood circulation which detoxifies your body
• Reduces blood pressure
• Regulates metabolism and improves digestion
• Balances the hormonal system

Benefits of Yoga at Mental Level :-

Yoga practices done with breath awareness, pranayama and meditation can help to bring calmness of the mind. They can reduce anxiety and tension. A calm mind is a prerequisite for meditation and higher practices of Samadhi, which leads to spiritual evolution. Fluctuations of mind can be removed byHatha Yogapractices like Trataka (concentration on a point or object) andpranayama. Yoga helps us to deal with situations in life with awareness, in a steady and calm manner, without reacting to situations. It helps to create healthy relationships in the society.

• Improves concentration, focus, and mental clarity
• Reduces stress, depression, and anxiety through increased endorphin secretion
• Mood stabilization
• Improves sleep and reduces sleep disturbance
• Increases feelings of well-being and self-image

Psychological benefits of Yoga :

1. Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase
2. Mood improves and subjective well-being increases
3. Self-acceptance and self-actualization increase
4. Social adjustment increases
5. Anxiety and Depression decrease
6. Hostility decreases
7. Concentration improves
8. Memory improves
9. Attention improves
10. Learning efficiency improves
11. Mood improves
12. Self-actualization increase
13. Social skills increases
14. Well-being increases
15. Somatic and kinesthetic awareness increase
16. Self-acceptance increase
17. Attention improves
18. Concentration improves
19. Memory improves
20. Learning efficiency improves
21. Symbol coding improves
22. Depth perception improves
23. Flicker fusion frequency improves

Biochemical benefits of Yoga :

1. Glucose decreases
2. Sodium decreases
3. Total cholesterol decreases
4. Triglycerides decrease
5. HDL cholesterol increases
6. LDL cholesterol decreases
7. VLDL cholesterol decreases
8. Cholinesterase increases
9. Catecholamines decrease
10. ATPase increases
11. Hematocrit increases
12. Hemoglobin increases
13. Lymphocyte count increases
14. Total white blood cell count decreases
15. Thyroxin increases
16. Vitamin C increases
17. Total serum protein increases