Generally, yoga practice, through breathing (pranayama), postures (asanas) and body locks (bandhas), is nature’s way of healing our body or boost our immune system by increasing overall health without the need of any consumed medicines or tonic. As you breathe better, move better and circulate better, all the other organs function better.
Many have known that yoga helps to tone up the body and firm up parts of the body such as the arms, thigh, shin, abdomen, depending on the poses that we do. It also helps to improve our skin complexion due to our constant breathing while we perform our asanas, which leads to a regulated blood flow in our body. It also improves the health of our eyes and improves our posture as well. It also relieves indigestion and orders of the bowel.
Apart from that, not only does yoga increases our flexibility and reduces stress and hypertension, but the practice can do more than help you twist your body into pretzel shapes and find inner peace. There are also some hidden benefits that will help us in our daily life.
Yoga aids in relieving menstrual cramps and pain. Speaking from my own experience, after practicing yoga on a regular basis since 2 months ago, my menstrual cramp has been better and more bearable and the associated headache from the pain does not surface any more. The flow of my menstrual has been very constant and smooth as well. I also do not need to consume pain meds any longer.
Yoga also helps to ease migraines. More than often, at the office, we hunch over a computer or cell phone with your shoulders up and head forward, causing overlifting of our trapezius and tightening of the neck. This pulls the head forward and creates muscle imbalances that can contribute to headaches and migraines.
Besides that, yoga can improve our sexual desire, arousal, performance, confidence, orgasm and satisfaction for both men and women. Physically, yoga increases blood flow into the genital area, which is important for arousal and erections, and strengthens the “moola bandha,” or pelvic floor muscles. Mentally, the breathing and mind control involved with the practice can also improve performance.
Daily yoga is also able to significantly improve sleep quality for people with insomnia. This is because breathing and meditations allow the mind to slow down. Studies have found that by doing yoga sessions twice a week, it has helped cancer survivors sleep better and feel less fatigued. This can be attributed to yoga’s ability to help people deal with stress
Regular yoga practice is associated with mindful eating, an awareness of physical and emotional sensations associated with eating. By causing breath awareness, regular yoga practice strengthens the mind-body connection. The awareness can help you tune in to emotions involved with certain cravings, and yoga breathing exercises can help you slow down and make better choices when cravings strike.
[Sharon Phang; 200 Hr YTT Hatha Vinyasa]
