Find Your Inner Peace During National Yoga Month
Unroll your yoga mats and strike a pose, because it’s National Yoga Month! Whether you’re a curious newbie or an expert yogi, September is a chance to find physical and mental balance through this ancient practice. Let’s take a deep breath and explore the ways in which yoga can enhance our lives.
Benefits of Yoga
Yoga isn’t just about tying yourself in knots or balancing one leg – although that makes it fun! It’s also a holistic practice which offers numerous physical and mental health benefits.
Physical Well-Being
Yoga enhances flexibility, strength, and balance – all of which contribute to better posture, increased mobility, and lower risk of injury. Yoga also helps in weight management, digestion, and respiratory function!
Mental and Emotional Well-Being
Studies have shown that yoga’s combination of movement, breathing, and mindfulness practices helps to reduce stress, boost focus, and improve mood. Because of these benefits, yoga can be an important tool for alleviating the symptoms of common mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression.
Where to start?
Starting your yoga journey can be both exciting and overwhelming, but with the right approach, you can ease into it smoothly. Here are some practical steps to help you get started:
- Set Your Intentions – Why do you want to start yoga? Whether it’s for physical fitness, stress relief, or personal growth, having clear goals will guide your practice and keep you motivated.
- Find a Class or Teacher – Look for local yoga studios, community centers, or online platforms offering classes that fit your needs. If your Motivation Alliance platform offers Les Mills, try out their BodyBalance, Wellness, and Stretch classes!
- Invest in Basic Equipment – If you are going to an in-person class, check with staff to see if any equipment is provided or if you’ll need to bring anything. Whether practicing at home or at a studio, some items to consider are: a water bottle, comfortable clothing, a yoga mat, yoga blocks, and yoga straps.
- Start Slowly – Begin with shorter sessions and gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable. Listen to your body and avoid pushing yourself too hard in the beginning.
Remember, yoga is about progress, not perfection. So, unroll your mat, breathe deeply, and let your mind be at ease as you embark on your yoga journey. Namaste, everyone!
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Resources
CDC – BAM, Physical Activity, Yoga. (2019, November 21). Cdc.gov. https://cdc.gov/healthyschools/bam/cards/yoga.html
NCCIH. (2020, February). Yoga for health: What the science says. NCCIH. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/providers/digest/yoga-for-health-science
Weiss, C. (2022, September 11). Mayo Clinic Q and A: What’s the benefit of yoga? Mayo Clinic News Network. https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-whats-the-benefit-of-yoga/
Yoga: Effectiveness and Safety. (2020). NCCIH; NCCIH. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/yoga-effectiveness-and-safety
Disclaimer
We want you to be well and to live your best life. The content in this blog is provided for the purposes to educate and entertain you: our very important reader. It is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for medical advice from a trained healthcare professional.
If you have a medical condition or are under the care of a medical provider, please always seek the advice of a qualified medical professional before undertaking a new health care regimen. To that point, never disregard medical advice or delay treatment for a medical condition because of something you read on this site.
Listen to your care providers as they know you and your condition best. Thank you for reading!
The Team at BSDI