Yoga is a process of self-improvement. It is practiced for the betterment of oneself. When you decide to start Yoga, specific postures become your foundation. Practicing these postures allow you – greater flexibility, muscle strength, mental strength, spine strengthening, increased blood flow, increased patience, a great stress buster, better sleep, and IMPROVED HAPPINESS. When you see yourself in the mirror, and a fit person stares back, it boosts your confidence, elevating your mood – Happiness, alas!
How does Yoga Help?
The first time the word ‘Yoga’ was mentioned in the ancient scripture Rig Veda more than 5000 years ago. It has been refined over the years by the sages, who documented their practices in the Upanishads. There are over 19 different types of yoga and 66 basic yoga postures. But there are five basic principles developed by Swami Vishnudevananda (a Yoga disciple) for full-body health and fitness. They are:
- Proper Exercise (Asana)
- Proper Breathing (Pranayama)
- Proper Relaxation (Savasana)
- Proper Diet (Vegetarian)
- Positive Thinking and Meditation (Vedanta & Dhyana)
Why is this approach so unique?
This multifaceted approach makes yoga very unique in the following ways:
- You honor your body by practicing yoga which makes you happy.
- Yoga reduces blood pressure and the stress hormone – ‘Cortisol’; thus, practicing yoga is a stress buster
- The happy chemicals – ‘Serotonin,’ ‘Oxycotin’ and ‘Dopamine’ are released when you practice yoga, making you happy.
- Deep breathing is a powerful stress management technique as it encourages positive emotion. It also helps to reduce anxiety.
Practice these yoga asanas to lead a happy life
- Headstand – combats depression. When you do a headstand, it puts pressure on the crown area, which stabilizes mood and emotions.
- Forward fold asana – helps in relaxing and calming the body.
- Chest Expansion – creates a sense of fearlessness which allows you to feel confident and happy.
- Meditation pose – is one of the best ways to dissolve stress and anxiety. The right type of meditation pose can provide profound mental and physical rest.
- Cat-Cow Pose – to relax your nervous system.
- Dancer pose – helps in feeling lightness and happiness.
- Goddess pose – this empowering pose reminds you that you are entirely in charge of your happiness.
- Backward bend – releases endorphins which relieve stress.
- Pigeon pose – welcomes positivity and happiness.
- Savasana or corpse pose – in this crazy, fast-moving world, it is essential to stay calm and still and helps your body absorb all the asanas you practiced and helps you to relax.
Make yoga a part of your daily life to live a healthy, stress-free life!!!
