Yoga is a complete system of techniques and practices that bring about physical health, mental clarity, emotional pleasantness and energetic vibrance. Yoga also addresses life issues such as aging, stress and illness.
In a recent study participants in yoga classes reported that yoga brought them personal transformation. Those who attend yoga on a regular basis have a non-negotiable commitment to practice.
Physical
Yoga is an ancient mind-body fitness system that helps promote health, wellness and a sense of harmony in the body and mind. Research is increasingly demonstrating that yoga can improve muscular strength and flexibility, reduce stress and chronic pain, help control blood pressure, and enhance sleep patterns and quality of life.
Yoga postures, or asanas, are designed to exercise every muscle, joint and gland in the body. This provides cancer patients with an important, healthy way to cope with the physical challenges of their disease and increase their self-esteem and sense of personal power.
Yoga also improves balance, focus and core strength. Increasing strength can decrease the risk of injury and also protects against degenerative diseases such as arthritis and back pain. Additionally, yoga can improve posture and breathing mechanics leading to a better night’s sleep. In fact, one study found that yoga reduced the symptoms of sleep apnea by improving oxygen uptake in the lungs during sleep.
Mental
Yoga, a mind-body practice, has been shown to improve mood by lowering levels of stress hormones and increasing the production of feel-good brain chemicals, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Yoga also decreases activity in the area of the brain associated with emotions, which can help reduce emotional reactivity.
Yoga increases body awareness and promotes good posture. In addition, a 2021 study found that practicing yoga improved interoceptive ability, meaning one’s ability to sense the sensations in his or her own body.
The mental health benefits of yoga are significant for college students, who often struggle to balance academic demands with social and personal issues. Studies have shown that students who regularly practice yoga experience less anxiety and depression. Practicing yoga has also been shown to improve concentration and increase happiness. A randomized controlled trial conducted in 2015 found that when a ten-week program of yoga is offered to individuals with chronic psychiatric conditions, it can significantly improve symptoms and quality of life.
Emotional
Studies suggest that regular yoga practice can improve mood, decrease anxiety and irritability, increase energy levels, promote a sense of well-being, increase body awareness and improve sleep. In addition, yogic breathing and meditation practices can help you learn to manage your emotions and respond in healthy ways instead of reacting impulsively.
Yoga can also foster a sense of community. A study published in Psychological Science found that individuals who participate in group activities such as yoga are more likely to cooperate with others and have a greater sense of belonging than those who don’t.
Yoga can also reduce symptoms of depression by elevating the level of a brain chemical called GABA. It can also increase self-esteem and body image, and enhance interpersonal relationships and efficiency. However, yoga is not intended to replace medical treatment, but rather, to serve as a beneficial complementary therapy that supports overall health and wellbeing.
Spiritual
Yoga is an ancient, multipurpose spiritual practice that promotes health and well-being through a series of physical postures, breath control techniques and meditation. It’s also a philosophy that includes rules for living, such as non-violence, compassion, not stealing, telling the truth and selfless service to others.
While it’s often viewed as a religious practice, yoga can be done without any religious aspects and is enjoyed by people of all faiths, as well as atheists and agnostics. The yogic practice encourages students to develop a deeper connection with themselves and the universe, as well as to understand that all things are interconnected and share a common reality.
Research shows that regular yoga practitioners report a higher level of spirituality than the general population. Spirituality refers to the individual’s search for meaning, purpose and connectedness in life. It can be characterized by a belief in a greater power, a sense of inner peace, personal growth and a desire for a better world (Henry, 2006). A qualitative study of regular Iyengar yoga practitioners reported that 73% of women practicing for psycho-spiritual reasons experienced spirituality while 45% of those practicing for physical or appearance purposes did so.