We know yoga is fantastic for our bodies.  It helps us to increase flexibility, build strength and improve muscle tone.  But, did you know it’s amazing for your mental health and wellbeing too? In this blog post we are going to explore 4 ways yoga is excellent for your mental health and wellbeing. 

 

Can Decrease Stress

Yoga can help you melt away stress through techniques like deep breathing, relaxation, and teaching you the ability to clear your mind.  When you can have all of these things working together for you, you are able to calm your heart rate, your mind, and your overall body. Learning these techniques through regular yoga classes can give you the tools you need to learn how to manage stress more effectively in your daily life.

 

Relieves Anxiety

Anxiety can be crippling.  If you know how to focus and manage the situations that trigger anxiety, you can put yourself in control of it.  Yoga can help you learn those skills to help you cope with anxiety.

 

Can Increases Happiness

As with any form of exercise, endorphins (the happy hormones) are released making people feel good.  Couple that with a decrease in both stress and anxiety, you will be feeling great!

 

Increased Self Awareness

When you alleviate stress and anxiety through yoga, your body benefits from the reduction of cortisol that is produced as a result of stress and anxiety.  When cortisol is reduced, the hippocampus and the somatosensory cortex grow in size! This is a good thing! They are the areas of the brain that help moderate anxiety and body awareness.  When these are working at their optimal level, you can manage stress and anxiety more effectively.

 

Those are just a few ways yoga can be good for your mental health and wellbeing.  But, don’t take our word for it, try a class and let us know what you think!