Yoga is considered one of many types of complementary and integrative medicine approaches. Yoga brings together physical and mental disciplines that may help you achieve peacefulness of body and mind. This can help you relax and manage stress and anxiety.
Yoga has many styles, forms and intensities. Hatha yoga, in particular, may be a good choice for stress management. Hatha is one of the most common styles of yoga, and beginners may like its slower pace and easier movements. But most people can benefit from any style of yoga —it’s all about your personal preferences.
The core components of hatha yoga and most general yoga classes are:
Poses. Yoga poses, also called postures, are a series of movements designed to increase strength and flexibility. Poses range from simple to difficult. In a simple post, you might lie on the floor while completely relaxed. A difficult posture may have you stretching your physical limits.
Breathing. Controlling your breathing is an important part of yoga. Yoga teaches that controlling your breathing can help you control your body and quiet your mind.
Meditation or relaxation. In yoga, you may incorporate meditation or relaxation. Meditation may help you learn to be more mindful and aware of the present moment without judgment.
Health benefits of Yoga
-Yoga improves strength, balance and flexibility.
-Yoga helps with back pain relief.
-Yoga can ease arthritis symptoms.
-Yoga benefits heart health.
-Yoga relaxes you, to help you sleep better.
-Yoga can mean more energy and brighter moods.
-Yoga helps you manage stress.
-Yoga connects you with a supportive community.
-Yoga promotes better self-care.
The U.S. military, the National Institutes of Health and other large organizations are listening to —and incorporating —scientific validation of yoga’s value in health care.
Numerous studies show yoga’s benefits in arthritis, osteopenia, balance issues, oncology, women’s health, chronic pain and other specialties.
The role of Yoga during COVID-19 global lockdown
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a global shutdown with people becoming more vulnerable to new mental, emotional and physical challenges as they have been restricted to work from home. The exacerbation of existing comorbid conditions and further deterioration in mental health can be addressed by work from home-adapted Yoga techniques (e.g. 5 min Y break AYUSH Protocol) by utilization of online portals and novel Yoga modules. 45 minute Common Yoga Protocol practiced on International Day of Yoga is recommended for this.
Maintaining health due the unavailability of drugs and vaccines to combat COVID-19 is crucial. Based on the current evidence, Yoga practice can reduce the risks of comorbid conditions and strengthen the immune system by relieving stress and anxiety or directly improving immune markers or both. Yoga can be employed at home and workplaces alike
Yoga and Health
An estimated 80 to 90 percent of visits to the doctor are stress-related but only less than 3% of doctors talk to their patients about how to reduce stress. Yoga, meditation, and other mind-body practices train your body and mind to be able to cope with stress better and improve overall health and well-being.
In a national survey, over 85% of people who did yoga reported that it helped them relieve stress. Exercise is a very useful way to relieve stress, but yoga is different from spinning class or weight-lifting in that it powerfully combines both physical fitness with an underlying philosophy of self-compassion and awareness. One of the main concepts in yoga is being non-judgmental toward both yourself and others, which is a powerful tool for stress relief since much of our stress comes from usbeing hard on ourselves or frustrated with others.
Sources:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/9-benefits-of-yogaSource: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/yoga/art-20044733#:~:text=The%20potential%20health%20benefits%20of,are%20due%20to%20difficult%20situations.
