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by Dr.Meghna varma
Are stress & anxiety getting the best of you? Then it's time to hit the mat & give Yoga a shot ! What is yoga & how can it improve your mental health? Yoga is a combination of physical poses (asanas), controlled breathing & meditation.
The practice of yoga brings to you the awareness of the connection between the mind & the body.
Stress response often begins with a ight or ght reex i.e body physically prepares itself to ght or ee. As a body-based therapeutic intervention, Yoga has the power to stretch & relax various muscle groups & joints in the body which effectively creates relaxation in much the same way as a progressive muscle relaxation. Moving through the physical postures gives you a sense of calm & a feeling of being connected to and grounded in your body.
The asanas also slow down the thinking mind, halting the internal chatter. Once the mind is calm,
postures become a moving meditation by bringing awareness to the breath & enhancing
mindfulness.
By connecting the mind to the physical body, the asana practice allows you to experience your
emotions in a different way & creates a space to identify factors that are causing psychological
distress.
Any form of physical exercise releases healthy brain chemicals such as endorphins & dopamine. Yoga not only gives you the benets of any other form of exercise but also gives you mental peace by letting you focus on the present moment.
Yoga gives you an opportunity to check in with your thoughts & emotions without any judgement. Being in tune with yourself builds your condence & gives you a sense of self esteem.
Lack of patience often leads to uncontrolled anger outbursts. Yoga can help clear your mind & relax your body through asanas & breathing techniques known as pranayama. This creates a deep sense of inner balance
n In patients suffering from disorders such as ADHD, yoga is often recommended as it can help with improved attention span & focus. Even in healthy individuals, regular practice can help increase concentration thereby signicantly improving their work performance
Yoga helps you recognise some of your qualities that you may not be aware of. Yoga creates awareness of those places in your body where you hold your pent up psychological or emotional energy.