The Power of Yoga: How Practicing Yoga Can Improve Your Mental Health

Yoga is an activity that dates back thousands of years. It’s a practice that combines breathing techniques, meditation, and various poses to create mind-body healing. Yoga can offer peace of mind and create a sense of well-being. It’s a powerful tool that can help you achieve happiness in life.

While two of the most well-known benefits of yoga are improved flexibility and strength, it has also been proven that yoga is a great way to boost mental health.

Types of Yoga

Different types of yoga range from being physically demanding to more relaxing. Here are five styles of yoga you can try.

#1 Vinyasa

Vinyasa is a form of yoga where you flow seamlessly from one posture to the next while connecting the breath with your movement. This is a more fast-paced type of yoga.

#2 Yin Yoga

Yin yoga is a meditative practice where you hold poses for three to five minutes. This is the perfect practice if you’re looking to slow down and center yourself.

#3 Restorative Yoga

Restorative yoga is another slower practice that can reduce stress and anxiety. This is a restful type of yoga that restores the body.

#4 Hatha

Hatha yoga creates balance in the body and mind by using breath and movement. Poses done in Hatha are both relaxing and improve flexibility.

#5 Kundalini

Kundalini yoga is both spiritual and physical. It combines breath, movement, and sound to activate spiritual energy located within the body. It’s different from other forms of yoga because it mainly focuses on the spiritual aspect of the practice.

Mental Health Benefits of Yoga

When it comes to yoga, there are several benefits you may notice once you start practicing it. Here’s a look at a few ways a regular yoga practice can enhance your mental health.

Eases Anxiety

During yoga, you spend a lot of time focusing on the breath, which is an effective way to ease anxiety. This can help you let go of worry and fear, release tension, and bring you a deeper sense of tranquility.

Reduces Stress

A lot of people do yoga because it helps them cope with stress. It’s believed that yoga reduces the level of stress hormones in the body which encourages relaxation. Yoga also lowers your heart rate.

Improves Sleep

Doing yoga in the evening can help you relax before bed. Research suggests that regular yoga exercises can improve sleep in older adults. Two styles of yoga that could be a great addition to your bedtime routine are yin and restorative yoga.

Increases Energy

If you’re feeling lethargic, yoga may be a natural energy booster. Certain yoga poses can reduce fatigue, helping you achieve renewed vitality.

Promotes Healthier Habits

Consistently practicing yoga can encourage you to make positive lifestyle changes. After you start practicing yoga, you may notice that you’re making healthy decisions in other areas of your life, such as choosing to eat better or exploring different forms of exercise.

Improves Cognitive Skills

As you age, certain areas of your brain begin to shrink, making it essential to do things that strengthen your brain. Yoga has been shown to change brain structure and function, which improves things like concentration, learning, and memory.

Helps Community Building

Yoga can also enhance your social life and help you find community. If you decide to attend an in-person class, you’ll be able to engage in conversation and interact with individuals who share similar interests as you. If you can’t attend classes in person, there are also virtual classes that you can find online.

Developing a Regular Yoga Practice

The power of yoga can heal your mind, body, and spirit. Turning inward and focusing on moving your body and your breath can improve focus and help you connect with yourself on a deeper level. Yoga is worth trying if you’re dealing with everyday stress or struggling with a mental health disorder.

Yoga can help clear your mind, which is great if you constantly worry. Since you can choose between a gentle flow or one that’s more intense, you’re likely to find a style that works for you.

While yoga isn’t a cure for mental health concerns, it’s a wonderful tool to use in conjunction with any treatment you may be receiving. Even just starting with a few days a week can make a difference in your mental health. In the beginning, you may find it easier to follow along with a guided video instead of doing it on your own. Over time, you will find a flow that works best for you.

Yoga is a powerful tool to have on your mental health journey. Not only will it improve your physical health, but it can also benefit your mental health by alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety and reducing stress levels. Finding a yoga flow that suits your needs can help you achieve peace of mind. Here at Alter Wellness Care, located in Laguna Beach, California, we believe in treating the disorder and the person. We combine a holistic approach and our clinical expertise to provide you with quality mental health care. During your time at our treatment center, you’ll be in a structured environment and have a chance to engage in holistic activities that can help you heal and improve your mental health. If you or a loved one needs mental health support, contact us today at (866) 311-3510. Alter Wellness Care is here to help you.