Quiet Your Mind, Free Your Body- Benefits Of Yoga In Daily Life

"Yoga means addition-addition of energy, strength and beauty to body, mind and soul"

The word "Yoga" is derived from Sanskrit root "yuj" meaning "to join" or "to unite".

According to Maharishi Patanjali, "Yoga is the suppression of modifications of the mind."

Yoga originated in India near 3000 B.C. as an ancient practice. It was developed as a way to achieve harmony between the heart and soul on the path to divine enlightenment. Yoga only gained importance in the West in the 20th century.

With the combined effort of UN and Narendra Modi(Prime Minister of India), the International Yoga Day is celebrated on 21st June every year all over the world.

Benefits of Yoga

Yoga must be a part of everyday life of an individual. Maintaining a regular yoga practice can provide both physical and mental health benefits. Nowadays everyone's life is more or less stressed due to work commitments, or competitions in various fields physically as well as mentally. Therefore, yoga should be made compulsory in one's life to ensure a healthy mind, body and soul.

Physical benefits

The relaxation techniques incorporated in yoga-

• lessen chronic pain, such as lower back pain, arthritis, headaches, etc.

• lowers blood sugar and reduces insomnia

• builds muscle strength and increases flexibility

• improves balance and protects the spine

• boosts immunity

• betters bone health and perfects the posture

Mental Benefits

The physical benefits are just the tip of the iceberg. One of the best benefits of yoga is the key to stress relief. Stress is known to have devastating effects on the body and mind.

Yoga's incorporation of meditation and breathing can help improve a person's well being by

• reducing anger and depression

• teaching self-control and discipline

• improving focus

• fighting stress

• centres the nervous system

• promoting mindfulness

• creating mental clarity and calmness

• increasing body awareness

• relieving chronic stress patterns

• relaxing the mind

Body and self-awareness are beneficiary because they help with early detection of physical problems and thus, preventive measures can be taken on time.

Because there are so many yoga practices, it is possible for anyone to start. No matter what is your size, age, fitness level etc. there are modifications for every yoga pose and beginner classes in every style. Therefore, quiet your Mind, free your Body by incorporating yoga in your daily life.