“Yoga does not remove us from the reality of everyday life but rather places our feet firmly in the practical ground of experience. We don’t transcend our lives; we return to the life we left behind in the hopes of something better.”
Donna FARHI
We are living in a world that conditions us to look outside ourselves for eternal happiness and fulfilment. Humans are creatures of habit. Like clockwork, we progress through the same patterns of thinking and behaviour, rarely pausing to appreciate the present.
In our fast paced, highly connected society, it is now more important than ever to devote time to ourselves, time where we can experience the ebb and flow of our thoughts in the absence of action or judgement. It is during this time that we can relax and surrender to the astounding complexity of human nature.
Yoga provides a gateway to unlocking this inner feeling of tranquillity. To many, yoga is simply seen as a way to improve one’s strength, flexibility and posture. However the benefits of yoga transcend these. The term yoga translates to ‘union’. The primary intention of yoga is to unify the body, the mind and the breath to foster greater self-awareness, inner peace and clarity. This article outlines three astounding ways practicing yoga can transform your life.
Cultivating deeper relationships
Yoga encourages inner reflection and self-awareness. This heightened connection to ourselves aids in the understanding of our own needs and ability to empathise with the needs of others. This in turn helps to foster closer relationships.
Likewise, yoga inspires us to be more mindful and present in our relationships. This helps to increase feelings of compassion, caring and intimacy which are the cornerstones of a strong partnership.
Furthermore, yoga enhances overall health, boosts energy levels and enhances our mood. This helps to bring a more energetic and high-spirited self into the relationship. What is more, yoga increases our strength and flexibility. This can make us feel more attractive, both physically and mentally, thereby encouraging deeper relationships.
Reducing stress and anxiety
Practicing yoga is an exceptional natural remedy for managing stress and anxiety. Yoga encourages us focus on our breath, thereby taking our attention away from worrying thoughts. This helps to lower levels of cortisol within the body, which is linked to chronic stress and fatigue.
What is more, slow, deep breathing throughout each pose activates the parasympathetic nervous system. This system is responsible for relaxing the body. While physically calming the body helps to reduce immediate feelings of stress, it also increases the quality of our sleep. Sleep quality has a direct impact on our mood and our ability to deal with stressful situations.
Furthermore, research has shown that just one hour of yoga is enough to significantly increase the brains GABA levels. GABA is type of neurotransmitter which helps to control fear and anxiety. When GABA levels are high, we feel calm and relaxed, thereby helping to control stress and anxiety.
Likewise, yoga practice releases endorphins. Endorphins are naturally occurring chemicals produced by our bodies to increase feelings of joy and pleasure. Therefore, practicing yoga can help us to have a more positive outlook on situations which ultimately reduces stress and anxiety.
Boosting immunity
Yoga is an effective natural immunity booster. As you move in and out of different yoga postures, you continually contract and relax your muscles. This help your lymph nodes filter bacteria and abnormal cells and to dispose of toxic waste.
Furthermore, yoga helps to reduce stress. When our bodies are placed under chronic stress, our immune system is compromised, thereby making it more susceptible to picking up the common cold. Implementing strategies such as yoga to manage stress helps to keep our immune system functioning at an optimal level.
Likewise, there are a number of specific poses which can be performed to relieve the common cold. For example, performing ‘downward facing dog’ facilitates blood flow to the sinuses, which can help clear congestion.
If you would like to begin, re-ignite or progress your yoga journey, I strongly encourage you to take part in our Yoga Immersion charity weekend workshop, which will be held at Titan Fitness on the 13th and 14th of May. Proceeds from this event will be donated to the Save our Sons Charity.
The weekend will encompass a variety of Yoga classes for all levels, including Yin, Hatha, Vinyasa and post-natal yoga. You can also immerse yourself in Meditation, Reiki, Pilates, plus mental health and nutritional gut workshops.
Delicious, healthy snacks will be available alongside nutritious drinks. To find out more about the event, don’t hesitate to contact Titan Fitness on 9665 4058 or visit our website Upcoming events for more details. Spaces are limited so you must reserve in advance!
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