Practice the art of yoga amid lockdown. While we social distance ourselves, yoga can prove to be great stress-buster that can improve both your physical and mental health.
The pandemic has brought about a change in our normal ways of life. The prolonged lockdowns has forced people to stay at home with little or nothing to do. This in turn has led to a lot of uncertainties and anxieties, which is why it is important to maintain calmness of the mind and fitness of the body. However, it has also led to various positive impacts as people have started spending more time with their families and are becoming a lot more conscious about their health.
This year on International Yoga Day, while we are confined within our homes with no physical meetings or gatherings, we can celebrate this practice by connecting together virtually. With gyms and fitness centres being shut amid the corona virus lockdown, people are restoring towards virtual/online classes to learn Yoga. While we social distance ourselves, yoga can prove to be great stress-buster that can improve both your physical and mental health.
Here are some reasons why you should practice the art of yoga and while we are confined to our homes; there is no better time to begin doing yoga regularly.
1. It’s a great workout: First and most obvious, yoga is a fantastic workout for your body and mind. Regular practice of yoga can help in improving flexibility and can also help you with weight loss. The great thing about this practice is that it can be adapted at one’s own speed and level of comfort. No matter which yoga exercises you choose, the practices will always be part of a great workout routine.
2. It improves sleep: People today are dealing with complete schedule change which in turn impacts ones sleep cycle. One of the great reasons for practising yoga is that its helps people with insomnia due to its calming benefits. However, it is also believed that doing some light physical activity before we lay down can help us sleep more quickly, usually leading to a much better quality of sleep. Regular practice of yoga not only relaxes the mind but also prepares your body to take rest. Poses such as Viparitkarani, legs up to the wall or Savasana, seated spinal twist and reclining can help you sleep well at night.
3. Great stress reliever : Another impactful effect of Yoga is that it helps one develop some truly incredible mental and physical strength. It is one of the ultimate stress relievers and also helps in controlling blood pressure. Yoga is a great practice for those dealing with depressions and anxiety. There are some poses that can help in relieving stress and anxiety such child pose, standing forward bends and side stretches.
4. Improves postures : Yoga is an effective practice which can help improve your posture, as a lot of the breathing and seated positions require a straight back for proper effect. Working long hours sitting behind desks can leave one slouching, however regular yoga practice can definitely help develop good posture.
5. Build balance and flexibility: Yoga stretches and exercises are built with the idea of moving your body to improve its strength and durability. It also improve balance and flexibility, thereby improving your body’s ability to function more efficiently on a daily basis. Therefore, doing yoga regularly will in fact keeps more tuned about individuals body and helps to understand analyse thair health condition.
Meenakshi Mohanty – Fitness Expert
New Delhi.
