Here are 5 ways yoga helps: 1. Yoga reduces stress by triggering the Relaxation Response. This is achieved through conscious breathing, practicing poses, learning relaxation techniques, and meditation. The antidote to the Stress Response is the Relaxation Response, which activates the para-sympathetic nervous system. More importantly, yoga teaches us how to remain peaceful in the face of discomfort and challenge. We learn the art of surrender. 2. Yoga helps us pay attention. Many people notice that they are more physically, mentally and emotionally self-aware. Often, this self-awareness begins by paying attention to our breath and all its habits. Then, we move to our thought cycles, and finally, to where we hold tension in our bodies. 3. Yoga heals our bodies and minds. The poses, conscious breathing and visualization serve as therapy to reduce physical pain as well as emotional anxiety. We learn practical methods of self-comfort. And through active effort, we advance our practice into one of self-love and self-acceptance. 4. Yoga breaks our bad habits. With yoga, we learn new, healthy patterns that override harmful habits. Through yoga, we learn discipline and commitment to our own health. Letting go of the unhealthy habits allows us to see the possibilities more clearly. 5. Yoga reminds us to be responsible. I have seen students move time and again from a place of blame to a mature place of responsibility. First, we become responsible for our physical bodies. Next, we observe our thoughts and begin to take responsibility for our inner dialogue. Eventually we accept authorship of our own lives in a co-creative expression with the universe.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 00:01:01 +0000