As long as you have your health, you can have everything in your life. All of us are living a hectic lifestyle trying to find success and excel in our careers. In a hectic lifestyle, we can forget to take care of our health and eat healthily. Plus the extreme stress and inflexible working hours just reduce the quality of life. To ensure your hectic lifestyle doesn’t turn into a huge health complication, you should focus on doing some kind of physical activity. You can either go to the gym to do exercise, however, if that’s not possible, then Yoga is one ideal option that can improve your lifestyle.
Benefits of Doing Yoga
Yoga is thousands of years old practice. Yoga is known to date back to pre-Vedic Indian traditions. While there is no solid proof, it is said that yoga came into existence during the Indus valley civilization in 3000 BCE. The practice of yoga started about 5,000 years ago.
Yoga is one physical activity, that doesn’t have any age restrictions. Kids, adults, and even old people can practice yoga and improve their lifestyles. Yoga aims towards harmonizing your mind and breath by doing a series of exercises, yoga poses, and meditation. Yoga needs proper dedication and it focuses on breath, posture, focus, and movement.
In the initial stages of Yoga, you may face some trouble, as it takes some time for your body to become flexible. Yoga is all about being flexible, and with practice, you can make your body flexible enough. Focused breathing helps in the release of endorphins that help to keep the mind and body calm, clear, and energized all day long. There are various benefits of practicing yoga, some of the most common benefits are:
- Helps in relieving weight loss and back pain
- Soothes mind and body
- Improves breathing
- Reduces the stress level
- Improves quality of sleep
- Reduces anxiety
- Improves irregular posture
- Boosts immunity
- Promotes self-control
Type of Yoga Exercise You Should Do
There are 3 different types of Yoga you can do to lead and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
1. Breathing Exercises
A lot of yoga aasanas require people to focus on their breath. According to the practice of Yoga, if you can control your breathing, you can regulate the life force in your body.
If you’re just starting with Yoga, then there are some basic breathing exercises you can try.
- Nadi Shodhan Pranayama
This breathing exercise is great if you want to increase concentration. To do Nadi Shodhan Pranayama:
- Sit straight with an erect spine
- Close your right nostril with your right thumb.
- Inhale deeply through your left nostril.
Keep repeating the process. You can do this for 5-10 minutes every day.
- Bhramaru Pranayam
This is also called the Bee Breath. If you often struggle with hypertension or stress, then you should do this breathing exercise. To do Bhramaru Pranayam, sit in the padmasana position, and close your eyes.
Put both your fingers in your ears, and breathe in. Breathe out while making a loud humming sound. Repeat this a couple of times.
- Kapal Bharti
Kapal Bharti is one of the most suggested breathing exercises. It helps you detoxify your body. Sit in the Padmasana position and close your eyes. Inhale deeply and fill your lungs. Exhale forcefully through the nostrils. Start doing the position for 3-5 minutes every day.
2. Asanas (Yoga Poses)
Asanas or yoga poses help you lead a healthy life. Different Yoga Poses offer different health benefits. Here are some Yoga Poses you can do to increase your body’s health:
- Surya Namaskar
Also called the Sun Salutation. It’s a combination of 12 poses that provide health benefits for your whole body. If you’re trying to lose some weight, and enhance your body’s balance, you need to practice these poses every day:
- Pranamasana or Prayer Pose
- Hasta Uttanasana or Raised arm pose
- Hastapadasana or Foot Pose
- Ashwa Sanchalanasana or Equestrian Pose
- Dandasana or Stick Pose
- Ashtanga Namaskara or Salute with eight points
- Bhujangasana or Cobra Pose
- Adho Mukha Svanasana or Downward facing dog pose
- Ashwa Sanchalanasana or Equestrian Pose
- Hastapadasana or Foot Pose
- Hasta Uttanasana or Raised arm pose
- Pranamasana or Prayer Pose
3. Meditation
Meditation has proved to offer incredible health benefits. From relieving tension to enhancing concentration and mental capabilities. Meditation is something everyone should do.
It helps you achieve mental rest if you’ve been stressed from work. According to some studies, meditation has also been said to improve immunity. To meditate:
- Free up some time in your schedule. Wear something comfortable, that allows you to sit comfortably.
- Sit in a position you find comfortable. Make sure your spine is straight, and your shoulders and neck are relaxed.
- Close your eyes.
- Take a few deep breaths.
- Breathe as you normally do.
- Focus on your breath.
- Continue doing so for 10-15 minutes.
If you’re not able to meditate, you can also try out guided meditation, or meditating apps.
Conclusion: Yoga for Improved Lifestyle
Yoga doesn’t just help with physical health, it also improves mental & overall health. With the regular practice of yoga, you can feel rejuvenated all day long and sleep well. Yoga even helps in reducing weight and improves muscle health.
