“Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Bikram, Yin Yoga… Downward Dog, Child Pose, Shavasana…” are some of the many words that you’ve probably been hearing extensively for over a year now with the recent yoga trend.
Yoga is an old Indian philosophy dating back thousands of years. Its ultimate purpose was aimed as a path to spiritual awakening and the attainment of enlightenment. However nowadays, the trend of practicing yoga has been growing more and more popular and considered as an approach to physical exercise and stress management. There are many types of yoga techniques that are unique in their postures ( asanas) always accompanied by specific breathing techniques.
Yoga affects mainly 3 major systems in the body:
- Beneficial for the cardiovascular system (hearts and arteries) and especially patients with cardiovascular diseases. Studies show that practicing yoga helps bring blood pressure to normal levels.
- Beneficial for the musculoskeletal system, especially in fibromyalgia patients (those who suffer from widespread muscle pain and tenderness). Studies have shown that yoga reduces muscle and joint tension and increases flexibility, strength and endurance.
- Beneficial for the nervous system, by improving brain function. And that is due to a decrease in cortisol levels and subsequently stress, anxiety and fatigue. In addition, better concentration and an energetic feeling are visible after practicing yoga for a long period.
Other benefits of yoga include:
- Help people suffering from depression or other traumatic incidents
- Reduce back pain
- Improves overall balance
- Helps people suffering from insomnia
- Boosts the immune system
- Aids in alleviating migraines and headaches
- Acts as a hangover relief
- Moderates many respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis and more
- Battles against arthritis (the inflammation of one or more joints)
The majority of people spend the majority of their day sitting on a chair behind their desk. This is why, we put together a list of some yoga postures that will do you the honors of undoing the damage of your desk job:
Downward Facing Dog:
Cow/Cat Pose:
Child’s Pose:
Cobra Pose:
Side Neck Stretch:
Fish Pose:
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