Power of Yoga

The benefits of yoga for health and wellbeing

Yoga stretches back at least 6,000 years (some researchers think it may even be twice as old) yet it seems tailor-made for modern life. Step onto your mat and the stresses of everyday life simply slip away.

We all know that yoga can help you become flexible and balanced but it does way more than creating bendy bodies. Every asana (posture) has been precisely calibrated for a precise physiological, psychological and spiritual effect on your body and mind. The asanas systematically work all the muscles, ligaments, joints, and connective tissue (fascia) of the body, toning, stretching, nourishing and realigning. So yes, yoga really will give you long lean muscles, powering up both upper and lower body. It’s a form of functional fitness, using your body weight rather than external weights, and studies all show that’s the best way to exercise.

A workout for all the organs of the body

Yoga works as much on the inner body as the outer. A session can boost the circulation of both blood and lymphatic fluid. The lymphatic system is one of the prime ways we jettison toxic waste from the body, so think of yoga as your rubbish collection service. It also acts as a workout for all the different organs of the body; the liver, the lungs, the kidneys, the spleen and pancreas, the intestines, the heart.

Yoga for brain power

Still not convinced? Yoga can be an excellent way to soothe and boost your mental health too. A regular yoga practice can help you deal with depression, anxiety or stress; research has also found it can also help you become less impulsive and more focused. It’s not surprising when you consider that yoga was never intended as a purely physical workout: its original purpose was to provide a preparation for meditation.

Spritz your body and yoga mat with our Pure Vetiver Water to help focus your mind.

Yoga for relaxation

Yogic breathing {pranayama} directly affects our nervous system, eliciting the “relaxation response” in which the parasympathetic nervous system takes over from the sympathetic nervous system so come off the mat feeling cool, calm, and in control. If you’re feeling particularly stressed, spritz yourself and your mat with our soothing Pure Rose Water 

Do you really need any more reasons to get onto the mat?

Cautions

Just like any form of exercise yoga can harm as well as heal, if you practice it incorrectly.

If you’re a beginner always go to a well-qualified teacher, rather than trying to teach yourself online.

Find your edge but don’t push yourself beyond it. Yoga should not be competitive (pitta people please note!). Work at your own pace and within your limits.

If you have any health problems (particularly heart conditions, back problems, or if you have had any kind of surgery) consult your doctor or consultant before starting yoga. You may consider working with a yoga therapist (who has had a strict medical training), for example the British Council for Yoga Therapy (www.bcyt.co.uk) holds a register.

Yoga is wonderful during pregnancy but you will need to avoid certain postures. Always tell the teacher you are pregnant or find a class specifically designed for pregnant women.