The fields of psychology and yoga have a lot in common.
Psychology is described as “the scientific study of behaviour and mind, including conscious and unconscious occurrences, as well as thought,” while the yoga is defined as “To completely know and be at peace with yourself. To connect, join, or balance” It is obvious from reading these two definitions that yoga is a practice intended to bring the mind and the body into harmony. Yogis think that through doing this, people might begin to repair their emotions and discover clarity. Our brains and body become one when they sync up, and the advantages are boundless.
The Origins of Yoga
Yoga can be traced back at least 5,000 years, and some believe even as far back as 10,000 years ago.. There are eight elements and steps in classical yoga’s “Eight Limbed Path” that help practitioners reach enlightenment, or Samadhi. This still forms the basis of more contemporary yoga methods.
Each limb focuses on a crucial element for developing and leading meaningful lives. We are led toward emotional, physical, and spiritual health for our self, our community, and the universe as a whole by focusing on ethical principles and priorities, honoring the body and breath, purging the mind of clutter, focusing on the present, looking inward, and ultimately achieving enlightenment.
The Psychological Benefits of Yoga
Some of the psychological advantages of regular yoga practice include:
Relaxation: A key component of yoga is learning how to breathe deeply from the abdomen, which has been shown to lower blood levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Yoga can so aid in your relaxation and stress reduction, allowing us to think more clearly.
Help to relax the mind: Paying attention to our breathing and bodily movements might help us reduce mental clutter and gain insight about what is really bothering us.
Bring us closer to our body: Sometimes becoming more conscious of our physical self might help us become more aware of feelings that we might not otherwise have noticed.
Principles of mindfulness: Worries are either future- or past-focused. Yoga helps us to fully concentrate on the present moment and to be present in it. By putting our attention on the here and now and asking ourselves, “What is within my power and control at this moment?” we can benefit from practicing mindfulness in our daily lives.
Distress Tolerance: Yoga practices teach us to lean into discomfort, whether it is sweating it out in a yoga class or holding a challenging pose. Yoga practice teaches us to not be afraid of suffering and gives us self-assurance that we can handle the pain by breathing, keeping our balance, and being present in the moment.
