How Yoga Transforms Your Health: Facts, Myths & Real Impact
International Yoga Day is celebrated worldwide on 21 June each year. Shri Narendra Modi’s sincere efforts led to the United Nations General Assembly praising 21 June as International Yoga Day.
Yoga is an ancient practice which originated in Rishikesh, India, and today it is practiced globally! Yoga practitioners cite the various benefits of Yoga be it physical, emotional or spiritual.
Yoga is a combination of asanas (poses), breathing techniques and meditation. Let us see some of the queries that arise regarding Yoga.
Q: Who can do Yoga?
A: Yoga can be practised by all, but only do those asanas and breathing techniques that are suitable for you. Brief your yoga instructor about your health condition plus ongoing medications, so they can devise a curated session for you, keeping in mind your underlying health and mental issues.
Q: Why Yoga?
Yoga teaches us to balance and synchronize our mind, body, thoughts, and emotions. It has myriad health benefits
- It helps tone the body and may reduce weight
- It improves flexibility and mobility
- It increases longevity
- It makes us disciplined and consistent
- It calms us, makes us healthier, happier, stronger
- It motivates us and increases our energy levels
- It helps improve symptoms of high blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, with an active and healthy lifestyle
- It reduces feeling of negativity, anxiety, panic
- It is simple and curated to suit our requirements
Q: Why Yoga?
Every individual reacts differently to a cold shower. While it may be bearable for some, it may be unbearable for others. Here are a few pointers
Q: I do not believe it; it is a scam. Can I cure my depression with yoga?
A: Non-belief is the biggest issue here. To try something new, you should believe in it and yourself. You should be prepared to diligently follow your regime. If you are depressed, you are unable to handle things going on in your life. Either you are angry with the world or scared of what people will think or are unsure about yourself or your self- confidence has been shaken. You may be seeing a therapist or be under medication.
The solution is simple.
- Love yourself
- Believe in yourself
- Take care of yourself
Yoga is one way of calming the express train of negative thoughts speeding in your head.
All the following factors work towards calming you and shifting your negative mindset to a calm one:
- The breathing techniques
- The meditation
- The gratitude
- The journaling
- Mindfulness practices
- Laughter yoga
After all, the negativity is only impacting you, not anybody else. You are the only one suffering because of your overthinking. Do not dwell in self-pity, but gather the courage and take the initial step towards a better life. No doubt there are doctors and medications, but the one person who truly can make a difference in your life is YOU. Take small steps initially, and soon you will feel so much better. You will have something to look forward to in life.
TRY this gratitude task –
- During the day, thank 10 things in your life that you are grateful for. Keep practising this daily.
- The next week, thank any 20 things and every week increase the number by 10.
By the end of the month, you will realise that your “troubles” are mere specks in the universe. This will increase your awareness and make you look at your problems from a different perspective and find a solution. This may help reduce your depression.
You can also practice Laughter Yoga daily for 5 minutes. Just laugh for no reason – don’t worry about what people will say.
- It is your life! laugh and laugh out loud.
- Laughing and smiling will improve your mood, and you will feel better.
Q : How does breathing help ?
A: Breathing techniques (pranayama)teach us the correct way of breathing
- Breathe in and push your stomach out
- Breathe out and pull your stomach in
We are taught how many breaths per minute we should take – between 12 to 16.
- Breathing helps to make our lungs stronger.
- It is effective in weight loss and calms our mind or reducing stress
- Techniques like 4-7-8, box breathing, 2-1; deep breaths, nadishodhan pranayama, bhramari, and abdominal breathing help to calm us. Once you are calm, your mindset changes towards positivity
Q: Does Yoga help to lose weight?
A : Yes, yoga combined with a healthy lifestyle :
- Waking up early
- Practicing Yoga
- Proper timely breakfast
- Early meals, fibre-rich meals, proteins and carbohydrates in meals
- Adequate hydration – 2 to 3 bottles of water daily
- Regular sleep pattern, early bedtime, (sleeping and waking at the same time daily)
- Practicing gratitude/journaling
- Being happy
- Helping others
All work towards a common goal – a heathy you – with benefits of weight loss, managing stress better, loving yourself, concentrating on the positive aspects of your life and working towards overcoming your weaknesses. All in all – the entire package for a healthy life.
Q. Is meditation difficult?
Meditation is effortless. All you need to do is sit in silence and be aware of the thoughts floating in your head. Do not resist them, just let them pass. This also helps to calm you. Gradually over time, you will be adept at sitting with yourself. In this fast-paced life, we never get time for ourselves, so take a few minutes with yourself.
Just think, it is not herding mentality – people actually are following yoga and a healthy lifestyle so that they can live better, preferably without medication.
- Healthy people can motivate others, too, and give back to society.
- Consider this your good deed of the day – motivating others to be aware of their health and improve it.
Consistency is what matters. You must practice it every day for the best results.
I have been privy to online videos/posts of actual instances where yoga has helped many, be it
- Reducing HB1AC
- Managing blood pressure
- Losing weight
- Better mobility
- Improved flexibility
- Reducing stress
Many of the yogis are 50+years aged women.
All you need is an open mind and some time. Believe in yourself and you can do it!
Google the Yoga centre near you and join today! Alternately, there are online Yoga classes too, but offline Yoga is preferable as the instructor can curate your session and correct any mistakes you may be making during your session.
Learn yoga, and motivate others too.
